Only a Cat of a Different Coat [Open/Joining]

[Deleted]

It had been a long year.

Of course, Vera knew no more of the human measures of times than the general terms, but the seasons had passed. The time, she thought, should rather be measured in experiences, in knowledge and wisdom. Who're you, to call yourself wise? A snide voice, her own thoughts, broke in, and she grumbled with frustration. The more time she spent alone, the more she seemed to come up with her own acerbic responses to her thoughts, supplied first by members of her pack, and later by Cadence.

A year had passed, and here she was. She had not, of course, missed the whispers of the newer pack that had formed in Aveline, and the more she had studied it, from wanderers and similar, the more it seemed to fit here. She had been considering settling for a good while, now, and this pack seemed to suit her tastes. Still small enough, but also of similar morals to her own. Yes, if they would have her, that was. After all, Vera had come to take nothing for granted, not in this world.

A scent in her nostrils, and the wolf slowed to a stop. The grasslands stretched ahead of her, but here she would wait, for only the rudest of wolves would trespass upon those they would wish to join. Instead, she turned to face the territory which she hoped to enter, raising her head and giving a couple of roar-barks, the vocalization unique to her own kind.

After that, there was nothing to do for the situation but to wait, and to hope that someone had heard her. Yes, sometimes Vera would find herself longing to be able to howl like the other wolves, to broadcast her voice further afield than the roar-bark allowed. This would be an ideal time for such things, but still she remained where she was. Someone would be by, sooner or later. And if they just happened upon her by accident.

Roar-bark if anyone hasn't heard it. Not too loud. X- P

Words: 334
Tagged: Open
Notes: Will be getting/making/something a table soon, just wanted to get a post up!

[Nimue]

Since the forming of Ananke, Nimue found that she was truly home. Aveline was beautiful, breathtakingly stunning in its glory and rich with prey. But even better was the company, the pack-members who she was surrounded by each time, some remembered from her time in Kairos but many new to her. Alongside her sister, Nimue lead the wolves of Ananke - and alongside her sister, she watching their bonds grow with each passing day. Everyone had a place here, and positions were granted to any wolf deserving of it, regardless of gender.

She missed her mother still, quite terribly. And of course she missed her sister Fawn, and even her brothers sometimes, though she’d never been as close to them as she had been with her female siblings. But Nimue did not consider returning to her homeland. It was “home” no longer, and here in Aveline, she flourished. The past few weeks had been good to her; she’d filled her belly with warm meat, spoke with the newest additions to the pack, and slept comfortably each night beneath a canopy of stars. There were dens, of course, but Nimue had never much favored them after spending so much of her childhood in the cramped caverns upon Ina’mos.

It was one particularly bright morning that found Nimue strolling leisurely across the plains, tall stalks of pale grass brushing gently against her legs. There was a distinct chill in the air now; the continent was well into autumn, and soon winter would be upon them. With it would come the snow that had so rarely touched Ina’mos, and Nimue was excited to see it. She’d stepped out of her secluded life, small as it may have been at the time, and the she-wolf had found that there was a much larger, grander world waiting for her that did not revolve around crocodiles, beaches, and an ocean on all sides.

From somewhere far to her left, an odd noise sounded, a deep bark-like calling that gave the Chieftan pause. She cocked her head to one side, listening. It was clear that the call had come from no wolf – not any that she’d ever heard, anyways – and it was somewhere very near to the borders. Curiosity piqued, the large female turned and started off at a trot across the vast plains. She had no worries concerning going alone; she was large, larger than a moderate majority of wolves, and confident that she could at least defend herself until assistance arrived if need be. Nimue was no great fighter – and yet, as an alpha, one could never be too careful.

A speck appeared on the distance, which quickly grew into the form of a wolf-like creature the closer than Nimue moved. The scent of the stranger was unquestionably feminine, and Nimue was pleased to see that whoever the stranger was, they had not trespassed. Respect was always a good sign.

The mottled fae came to a halt just on the close side of the Ananke border, ice blue gaze flitting briefly over the female who stood before her. She was not very near to Nimue’s height, but her legs were long and thin, giving her the illusion of being taller than she truly was, and her fur…it was a lovely, rich auburn in coloration.

”Greetings, stranger,” Nimue said at last, allowing a smile to grace her muzzle. ”I am Nimue, one of Ananke’s Chieftans. What brings you to our borders this morning?”

TAG: @veralidaine
WORDS: 577
NOTES: Here ya go! <3

[Deleted]

As she waited to be approached, Veralidaine stood patiently, her ears alert for any sounds, be they an approaching greeter or an attempt to sneak up behind her. Would someone really do that? Well, probably not. But Vera knew better than to take that for granted, even on the slimmest probability.

But there. Trotting towards her, across the plains, a shape had appeared, and Vera watched with curiousity. This wolf, for it was a wolf, was larger even than Cadence, larger than herself as well, and probably far greater in muscle and bulk... Well, she would simply have to make friends, would she not?

And so, the russet wolf stood calmly, watching the other wolf approaching. She noted the mottled coloration with interest, of a similar streak to her own. She felt the other wolf giving her a similar visual examination before the female began to speak. And immediately, Vera knew to thank her stars, for she had found the right place, and even the right wolf.

“It is a pleasure to make your aquaintance, Nimue.” Vera inclined her head gracefully, “I am called Veralidaine, or Vera for those who prefer.” She paused, unsure of how blunt she could be, but then decided that she might as well lay her cards on the table, so to speak, “I have traveled across Anikira, and have gathered information on all of the packs. From what I heard of Ananke, it seems the sort of pack that I would wish to join.”

Another pause, “If you would have me, that is. Put me through which testing you will, and I hope to prove myself worthy of a place amongst your ranks.” For was that not the way of things? It had been too long since she'd been a part of a pack, and perhaps, she would have to relearn the niceties... But learn she would.

Words: 313 | Tagged: Nimue
Notes: Sorry, I always take some time to figure out characters again. :- \

[Nimue]

“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Nimue. I am called Veralidaine, or Vera for those who prefer.”

Nimue’s smile grew, and she dipped her head further in extended greeting to Vera. She was decidedly more at ease now that the femme had spoken; it was clear both from words and actions that Vera was no creature hellbent on trouble, but rather a she-wolf – or Nimue supposed she was, for she was still puzzling over Vera, who was unlike any wolf that she’d ever seen before – with manners and good sense.

“I have traveled across Anikira, and have gathered information on all of the packs. From what I heard of Ananke, it seems the sort of pack that I would wish to join. If you would have me, that is. Put me through which testing you will, and I hope to prove myself worthy of a place amongst your ranks.”

The admission that she’d heard of Ananke and come to join their ranks made a burst of pride course through Nimue’s veins. Word of their pack was spreading, it seemed, and drawing in those who were seeking homes. Already their numbers had swelled impressively; they were nowhere near as massive as Kairos had been, but Nimue did not see this as a disadvantage. It meant that each member knew one another, that they functioned as a family unit, a close-knit community. It was, quite simply, amazing.

”I am so glad to hear that you seek a home here in Ananke,” Nimue said, her tone displaying her sincerity. ”We are a fairly new pack, but already we thrive. We do require a display of skills to acquire whichever position you desire, as you guessed.” It was a method she and Morrigan had carefully devised, a way for wolves to showcase their abilities and prove not only their strengths, but their loyalty as well. ”You have your pick of whichever position you think would fit you best. There are many different tiers of warriors, including Watchers, who serve as silent sentries, and hunters.” Nimue had never seen the point in an alpha assigning a wolf a position that they might not want or excel at. Ananke offered a wide expanse of ranks so that each member would feel useful doing whatever it was that they did best. ”Where would you fit most comfortably?”

TAG: @veralidaine
WORDS: 392
NOTES: Man this sucks, I'm so sorry D;

[Deleted]

The pride that Nimue felt was neither invisible to Vera, nor a real surprise. Of course, a young female who set off on her own to start such a thing, even with the aid of her sister, was a major accomplishment, and the recognition would please anyone. She listened as the chieftain spoke about the positions that were available to her, or rather, the fact that she could choose her own, which would fit her.

“My skills are of the kind not easily displayed in a moment. My strengths lie in the planning and strategy of situations, of gaining a favorable result through a placed word or, in other situations, if it cannot be avoided, the positioning of a fighting force. I can also scout and spy, as needed, to gain information to use to that end, or any other.”

Her brown eyes scanned over the field in which they now stood, “I could tell you now that this is not a favorable place to hold down, but the crater to the southern end of your land would. If one were to place a weak decoy, fearful and running through the crater as a means of escape from the opposing force, it would potentially lure the followers to disregard caution and find themselves at the bottom of a slope, from which a defending course could easily fight downwards, while even keeping the other force contained.” Okay, maybe she'd thought about it, and although she knew the numbers of Ananke were not yet at such a point where such a defense was properly feasible, although it was possible if in such straits. And yes, maybe she had already figured out the lay of the land, as she had with most of Anikira... But why not? It at least gave her fantasy something to feed on, and

She paused, before a wry smile passed over her face, “But I presume too far. Of course, I would be far happier to serve in times of peace, in matters of hunting or diplomacy, as you wish.” She considered the lands, “Throw any situation you would like at me, and I will formulate a plan for me. Ask me to gain information, and I will bring back what is necessary to plan.”

Words: 377 | Tagged: Nimue
Notes: Meh

[Nimue]

As Vera began what would be an admittedly impressive speech, Nimue listened attentively, glad to hear whatever strengths that the leggy femme had to offer. Much to Nimue’s surprise, it was not hunting nor even simple scouting that Vera boasted of; instead it was something else entirely, a level of calculated intelligence that Nimue could only admire. And, ironically, Vera had come at a convenient time. With Ananke still being a newly formed pack, she and Morrigan had spent many nights mulling over possible positions, and one had very recently come to mind: strategian, which was certainly a necessary role if war were ever to arise between Ananke and another pack. While they hadn’t originally decided upon implementing the position for sure, as there was no one who currently fit the description required, Nimue knew now that the perfect femme for the role stood before her. It was, Nimue thought, somewhat close to a nod of favor from the gods themselves.

”There is somewhere within our ranks that I think you might fit,” she mused when Vera had finished, tilting her head as she observed the female. ”It’s a one-wolf rank, but you would work closely with the Legion Commander – when, of course, he or she is appointed.” She did not think that Morrigan would mind her implementing the position officially and offering it to Vera here and now; her sister would meet Vera eventually, and she would see for herself that a keen mind worked within the skull of the she-wolf. ”The position is Strategian. We haven’t mapped out any trials for earning it, because I think that it’s something that cannot be displayed until the time for combat is nigh. But I offer it to you now, if you would like it.”

She glanced around her, pale eyes roaming across the land that she called home. ”You can also work with the sentries; they are in charge of patrolling the borders, but I’m sure you could help develop favorable routes and whatnot. We have no sentries at the moment, either,” she added wryly, ”so my sister and I do much of the patrolling. But when your time is not spent doing other things, perhaps you could keep an eye on the border until we have others to assist in the matter.”

She smiled then, finding that she was glad Vera had sought out Ananke on this particular day. ”With that said, if you agree to the position…welcome to Ananke, Vera.” It was the first time that she’d uttered those words since Ananke had claimed Aveline as their home, and it brought forth another rush of pride and contentment. ”You’ll meet my sister and the fell Chieftan, Morrigan, soon. She’ll be glad to have you as well. Though, a fair warning, she’s larger even than I am.” She laughed, gesturing with her muzzle towards the rest of the lands. ”Please, feel free to explore and acquaint yourself with the others. I fear I have more patrolling to do, but I know I’ll see you again soon.”

TAG: @veralidaine
WORDS: 507
NOTES: I figured your next reply with Vera can be the last for this thread ^.^ Wanted to get her into Ananke quick so she can start interacting and what not!