This is where I come in. (Open)

[Erastor]

Water. His field of vision consisted of it on all sides, save for the approaching island. The waves and the current pushed him this way and that, bringing it out of the forefront, into the forefront out again - it was the very definiton of ebb and flow. He continued to paddle, never too furiously, nor too weakly. As constant as the water's motion was, consider him to be a wolf-shapped boat in motion, vying for that island as he tried to keep it in view ahead. This was the place, Anikira. He knew it must be so. Even if he'd been wrong, now was hardly the time to go back. He didn't want to go back, not for some considerable time. So...forwards.

Soon, he could make out the area which he would appear to be making landfall: A hilly grassland which dipped and domed, with lowlands that met the water in a brief beach. Now that he had stabilized his direction, he put more force into his swim and fought more to keep on course. It seemed like a reasonable enough spot, as far as he knew. Thus, it was mid-day as a fairly butch wolf of brown, gray, black came to finally grab puchase of new ground, far from the places he'd been before. He loped a little onto the semi-beach with a quick burst of speed, then wildly shook himself off. He was here! He was here, at last!

As Erastor began to calm down, a sudden weary feeling came over him. Yes, here at last, and so the tense feeling of the trip and why the trip happened finally wore off. He was just a little bit tested in terms of stamina in the legs right now, so moving up onto the grass hill nearby took a moment. He huffed, turned a bit in place to both render some of the grass flat and see his immediate surroundings, and then took a lie-down, head up with all but one paw tucked underneath, facing inland. Erastor surveyed the vast hills, idly seeing the movement of some distant animals - prey - and that of the grass rolling in the wind when it picked up. Perfectly peaceful.

While his right forepaw was out for easy leaps to not only his feet but to propell himself in motion, he was feeling rather groggy at the moment, and thus decided to put his head down. In less than a moment, his eyes were shut and he was asleep. The travel had taken its toll and now he was repaying with perhaps the first proper - if fitful - sleep he'd had in a while. Next to deal with would be food, but for now... Ever heard a wolf snore before?

[Gailleann]

Gailleann was once more on her endless search, treading carefully across lands that were claimed, and no less guarded across lands that were unclaimed, just as Malachi had taught her when she had first arrived to the island. The sunlight fell unhindered against a coat that rivaled the billowing flames that often swept unhindered across wildlands. The pale grey of that gaze was ever alert, while twin soldiers perched atop that lupine cranium twitched minutely catching even the slightest of sounds brought to her by the playful breeze. Even as her heart sang with the desire to just break into a wild uncaring lope over the open fields that made up the hills, Leann locked the impulse down tightly. She had scented the claim to these lands even as she crossed the borders. And truthfully she hoped to get in, look around for any signs her sister may have been this way, then get out with them being none the wiser.

Of course this plan was thwarted as a male was sighted in the distance. Instantly the flame colored female ducked out of sight keeping her scent downwind while those greys remained trained on the potential enemy. Her mind quickly went over what Malachi had told her to do if she ever found herself in this situation. Run, which is exactly what she intended to do, except she could not help but notice his weary state, the way his limbs trembled ever so slightly as he made his way up the hill only to lay down. Inching forward, Leann lifted her head as the males lowered. He looked like he just drug himself from the water only moments before. If he had in fact done that, then he would have had to swim at least a mile if not more to reach the island shores, depending on if he crossed unaided by human devices. Either way he would be tired and would likely be hungry. Just as she had been when she had pulled herself onto the island after that wild storm. All this and more floated across her mind as she continued to study the brown wolf that slipped into slumber.

It was with a decisive nod that she would back away silently, keeping low so she did not disturb him. Once she was safely out of sight she pivoted on a hind paw and bolted away, her intend was to find a small bit of game and leave it for him, then be gone before he woke again. Much like the help a certain storm colored brute had given her.

It did not take her long to track a scent. With the sleek bunching of powerful muscles, a swift motion, and a sudden pounce, followed by an audiable snap as ivory colored fangs closed in on and snapped the neck of her prey. A quick glance around showed no signs of any other wolves, thus she would gather her prize up and head back toward the resting male. As she moved on nearly silent paws she debated on her next action, sneaking up on leaving it would not be wise for if he woke he might take her as an enemy. And yet she was uneasy confronting a stranger after the time she had spent with Malachi and the lessons he had taught her about survival. Still it was the kind part of her nature that won out and had her pausing a good distance away still downwind. Dropping the hare to the ground she would frown, completely baffled at the strange sound he was making. Snorting rumbles as he breathed.

“My pardon sir..” She spoke loudly with those smooth sweet vocals though at the moment they were drenched in puzzlement. “But are you alright, you seem to be making strange sounds…perhaps you need a healer?” If need be she would repeat herself until he woke to hear her words. Her rump lowered to the earth she sat tall and proud watching him with the steady clear grey set against a mask of fire and cream, the rabbit lay motionless at her paws.



Word Count: 689
Muse:
Tag: Erastor/Open
Notes:

[Erastor]

Downwind... With the wind gently whpping over the lazily rolling hills, one could pick up alot by standing downwind. A wolf's nose was the greatest instrument of tracking and discerning discerning the nature of scent that one could hope for. It was almost infalliable, as even dogs could go quite a stretch tracking something and find it, provided there wasn't too much interfering. They could 'see' through all kinds of tricks, but a melange was always troublesome. This was how Erastor's journey became something more guesswork along the way. For, you see, when you move through an area rife with many different scents, you pick it up and you take it with you for a while. And in a place with so many unfamiliar things, it can be sometimes hard.

Thus, the fire-furred wanderer that had approached could not fail to appreciate...quite a few traces off of the sleeping wolf. Intermixed with the wolfish scent itself was, of course, the fresh smell of the sea. He'd been swimming, alright. Further than that within the realm of scent, one could discern the traces of the near continent, with its hotter climates forcing him to keep to coastal areas to not overheat. He knew his limits, and so he wouldn't venture into climates hated without keeping himself just a bit cool. The interesting part is that he had further traces of having been to human areas and just a hint now of him been to a more foresty sort of place, definitely not a local landmass, if Gailleann understood as much. This wolf had not noticed her because of her attentiveness towards concealment and his fatigue, so in effect she had gotten the drop on him now.

Rabbit in tow, scents able to be freely picked up by the approaching wolf, there was... Yes, that was a strange thing to see. You'd almost never believe it, but any canine can snore if in a deep enough sleep. It was just uncommon, in most cases, given the nature of the beast. He wasn't exactly aware at this moment, and while the ears did seem to twitch slightly upon Gailleann's attempts to communicate, it was apparent that she'd only sort of reached him. Reasons because were self-evident, as his eyes moved beneath his lids and his haunches shifted here and there: Erastor was dreaming.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A dream is as much a melange as a massive wad of scents can be. All the mind is shaking the trees and seeing what fruit falls from the branches. Erastor stood upon a shifting mass of the past months' areas, lumped together. Nothing stayed the same for long and even the weather changed frequently. The mental baggage was pouring through. It found him running, almost running forever through these locations. The dirt and the sand, the grit and the hard-ground of human places that felt so unnatural underfoot - his muscle memory confused him, yet he ignored it. Off in the distance, he thought he could see a hint of black in motion, even as a stormfront came overhead. He tried to call out, even as the wind whipped up and stole his voice, but all he got in reply was something about strange noises and a healer. And then, a sound he knew all too well pierced the air: A shot!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Gailleann could see that her words might have disturbed him a slight bit, but that that wasn't what appeared to agitate him during said sleep. The brownish-gray wolf was in the confines of his own head at the moment, but as the agitation gew, his bdy suddenly jolted as he let out a "Ngh!", eyes shooting open as he came to his feet in and instant. His tail was raised warily and feet in a position that suggested he was gonna go dash off somewhere if he found anything bearing down on him...or perhaps it meant he'd attack. It was hard to tell, though, as he quickly looked around and found only a younger wolf sitting before him. No threats, no dangers, still on Anikira where he had drifted off to slumber a short while ago. He relaxed his stance and his tail now, yet still wondering now about the wolf before him...and the rabbit before her. Soon, Erastor found his voice.

"Who might you be?"

How interesting... The rise and fall of his voice definitely suggested what all the scents of his journey said, that he was not from around here, not even close. This wolf had come a long way, a strong voice was fast-approaching calm and most-definitely curious. He knew nothing of this place, but...he wasn't afraid of it. Perhaps only that which he took with him was what bothered him.

[Gailleann]

The fire wolf looked on in complete fascination as she continued to call the slumbering wolfs attention. Most might have left him to his own devises. But the scents intermingling with the salty sea told a tale. Each scent stacked upon the other was a different chapter and while she could not read the story accurately what she was very much aware of is one simple fact. He, like she, was not a native to this island. And given that these lands were claimed she could not in good conscious just turn and walk away while the potential for danger was so high. It was true she knew none from the Eden pack, nor did she know the type of pack they were. What she did know was from her experiences with the mainland packs, they rarely tolerated an intruder. So she persisted, in vocals that were warm and sweet, soft in texture. Until the males body suddenly jerked upward poised to bolt, or perhaps attack. Outwardly the female remained calm, the pale grey of her eyes widening was the only visible sign of her startlement. Inwardly though the way her heart skipped a beat then continued in a rapid pace, a flood of unease coursed through her veins causing the muscles beneath the thick warm winter coat to tense ready to bolt, or to fight though she prayed neither would be necessary. Keep calm, remember what you were taught.. The words drifted across her mind even as she continued to watch the male with a serene mask of complete calmness.

Moments would pass while the male gained his bearings and even as his body began to relax, his voice was soon to follow. That skull pivoted upon its thick pedestal to the right as a slow almost lazy blink was given. The color that enriched those vocals were not familiar to the flame colored wolf, though she had only ever traveled along the shores of the mainland. Nor did it match what she had heard among the wolves born to the various regions that made up Anikira. “I am called Gailleann, sir.”

With those simple words her cranium would drop, the blacken tip of that fire and cream muzzle would nudge the carcass towards him. “It appears, sir, that you have traveled far, this will help in regaining any strength you may have lost.” There was a lady like demeanor that settled around Leann like a comfortable cloak, dainty and proper. It was visible in every graceful movement she made, from the way she pushed the meal toward him to the way that head raised proudly once more, it effectively hid the untamed storm within her. “If I may be so bold, sir.” The words were briefly hesitant then firmed as if she had decided to forge ahead rather than settle into silence. “You do not carry the scents of the pack that claims these lands, as such it is not wise to remain unguarded for long if at all.” Her curiosity was a light in her steady quiet gaze, but she did not give into the desire to ask him the dozen or more questions that raced through her mind. It would have been an impolite gesture to shower a travel weary strange wolf, with such things. So she would fall into silence for the moment, the alert sparkle in her gaze shifting away from the earthly toned wolf to the rolling fields, before once more turning back towards him.



Word Count: 584
Muse:
Tag: Erastor/Open
Notes:

[Erastor]

The presence of another wolf - Gailleann, for instance - did not necessarily mean that an area was safe, but you could take two lessons of importance from the understanding that Erastor did not remain tense around this one. The first was that while he certainly had reason to be, he was not paranoid or overly cautious by nature. He kept an eye on things, but he also knew what to keep an eye out for. The second thing to note was that he'd obviously been bothered by something...but if finding a surprise wolf did not sustain the irritation, he was clearly on the lookout for something worse. Lacking whatever it was that fit the venue, Gailleann became more of a curiosity. It helped that she was polite and kind. Her tone suggested that of welcoming, no malice or guarded apprehension.

Where did such a bright wolf come from?

Her fire-pelt was failry surprising, given his country of origin. True, it was said that the wolves of Anikira came from all over, but he didn't imagine meeting an unusual one so soon... Maybe there were alot like her, many of bright colors. That would be strange, yet possible. After all he'd been through, the mere color of a wolf's pelt was not something he could really question. When Gailleann addressed his long journey and the rabbit, Erastor gave a slow emphatic nod.

"It is as you say, a long time traveling. Thank you."

Ever the earnest one, Erastor didn't generally try to conceal things out of some misguided need to disguise who and what he was. He generally believed that most things that he did were the right course and backed these feelings up to the proverbial hilt. As the rabbit was offered, he reached down and pulled it towards him. Given the fact that his fatigue - now subdued, somewhat - hid his hunger from him, it wouldn't be surprising if Erastor tore into it even as she spoke. However, her next words made him pause, even before teeth pierced that oh-so-tempting rabbit flesh. She spoke of the thing he'd been putting aside for now: The local pack. He knew nothing of this land, nothing but rumors and talk from questionable sources. She was local knowledge, and he was the loner this time, like Rain.

"Let me eat a little, regain my strength, then we'll go. What do you know of the pack in this area? REasonable? Vicious? I just came ashore today. I don't want to cause trouble."

Erastor began to tear into that rabbit now, no longer willing to hold himself back. He was so famished and distracted that...well...he forgot to introduce himself. That would come later, as he was apparently cordial enough, but as he said...he just washed up today. He listened intently now, while tearing off bits of rabbit flesh and swallowing, the taste of it heavenly compared to some of the rats he'd been reduced to eating at times.

[Gailleann]

A faint smile would trace its way across that lupine muzzle as he reached out at pulled the rabbit closer. When her warning would be delivered she had every intention to slip away and continue her tireless search for her sister. It was only a matter of time before the pack that claimed these lands found the two loners. Her unease showed only in the constant scanning of their surroundings, the twitch of those perfectly matched soldiers perched atop that fiery cranium. Those two things aside she would appear poised, the very reincarnation of calmness and serenity. When his voice rose to confirm that he had in fact traveled a great long ways instant curiosity sparked within those expressive pale grays. Where had he come from, what tales had he seen, what adventures had he experienced? She was by nature a curious beast, but it was an impulse she had long ago learned to curb. Instead she would shift her attention to the warning, whether he would take it as such she had not been certain. Especially as he paused, fangs poised to pierce the still warm flesh of the rabbit that lay before him.

Again his voice lifted with questions of his own, that skull pivoted to the left as her gaze briefly returned to his now eating form. “I am relatively new to this Island. Having recently been drug across the waters to its shores a few weeks ago. But I do know a few things that you may find useful as you navigate the lands. For instance this land is claimed by a pack known by the name of Eden. Their temperament I could not say as I have never had the pleasure or misfortune to cross their paths as of yet. The other packs that inhabit this island range from charmingly friendly to the dreadful. I have only been warned away from one pack. Kairos. They are the newest to the island but by far the largest and to be cautious around.”

Mentally she would review his words, and it was only then that she realized he had said we, or more exact, we’ll. He intended to follow her? She wasn’t exactly sure why she was so surprised, after all it was simply the logical thing to do. Having just washed up ashore, not knowing what was where, and rather than risk a simple mistake that could cost one their life, it was wiser to seek a bit of help. And she had, of her own accord, brought him a meal so it was natural to assume that she would be willing to assist further. So with that thought in mind she would nod faintly, at the very least she could show him the pack borders. She had thus far traveled far and wide across the lands of Anikira, so its boundaries were familiar to her.

With a seemingly infinite patience she waited, comfortable with her own silence, for him to finish the rabbit, stripping as much flesh from the bones as possible, she wondered briefly if he would track the larger bones for the succulent marrow within. High in protein, it was a valuable source of energy. She was also very much aware that she still had yet to learn what she was allowed to call him so the flame colored female would fall back on the proper and respectful. “Sir, I mean not to rush you, but the scent of that rabbit is strong and is sure to lure some guests our way, whether welcomed or not.”



Word Count: 595
Muse:
Tag: Erastor/Open
Notes:

[Erastor]

The first and immediate reply to her tone of urgency, vis-a-vis the speed he was eating the rabbit at, was that of the quick crunching of bone and the anticipated supping of marrow from within. As it stood already, wolves were not slow at devouring their prey. One delves into the flesh quickly, pulling chunks of flesh from the bone with nar'ly a chew before the swallow, especially in an unsecure area. In the wild, one learns to eat in a hurry and be on one's way, due to possible other predators. While traveling from place to place on the very edge of uncertainty, one sleeps with one ear perked and one eye open, and eats like they very likely expect to be chased. So, in short, Gailleann's warnings were taken seriously.

It was her information that proved more interesting. It was, in some way, pretty much what he expected, the ways of wolf packs as he knew them up in the north, only he stood as the Loner in this territory for now. He was in Rain's position, with her dillemma, and - as of yet - no allies in packs like she had with him. Gailleanna was not in a pack. Apart from having said she was a new arrival herself and NOT mentioned one that she was a part of, she did not smell like many other wolves. Perhaps she had been around a few, in passing, but like him...her scent spoke a thousand words. When Erastor felt that the border between completion and overdoing it had been reached in regards to the rabbit, he stood up. Though it had been devoured in haste, he had not been starving, per se, so it wouldn't upset his stomach. Especially not when he had been eating that way a while now.

"We can't hide the fact that I was here, but as you say, we can be off. Please show me to somewhere safer."

He surveyed the area around them, seeing if there were any sign of incoming...anything, really. Wolves, other animals, bad weather - whatever could provide an obstacle. He'd traveled alone for so long now that this was how he responded in waryness. He checked for everything twice. When he didn't see anything, he calmed down again. Waiting for his new acquaintance's lead, he wondered if she could help him with another matter... THAT was the moment in which he realized he had never given his name, and to so graceous a host. He looked back at the flame-pelt wolf.

"Forgive me, I haven't really spoken to others in a while. My name is Erastor."

[Kiara]

Kiara had been out walking through the lands that her father owned when two scents hit her nose, carried along by the gentle breeze. One was female and one was male but neither were familiar. Thinking it strange that she recognized neither of the wolves, she made her way toward the direction their scents had come from. She wondered if they were new to the pack and she just had not yet met them. If that was the case, she would hopefully have two new friends by the time their encounter was over. But then, there was the possibility they were intruders and weren’t part of the pack at all. That thought had her slightly nervous but, she was sure she could handle the situation. Once she got into view of the wolves, her ears pinned back slightly. For now that she was closer she could tell that neither the scent of her father nor of anyone else in the pack lingered on their fur. That could only mean that they weren’t a part of the pack after all and that she was the first one to have found them. As she moved ever closer to them, she hoped that they were friendly and looking to join or at least learn of her father’s pack and that they weren’t there to start any trouble. “Who are you two, and what has brought you into my father’s lands?” she asked with hesitant cautiousness. She looked back and forth between the two and wondered if they had come here together or if they just happened to stumble across one another. The male seemed to be in his prime years, maybe four or five, while the female seemed to maybe only a year older than herself. Perhaps, she thought, they were father and daughter. Though the female looked nothing like the male, she knew that didn’t mean anything as she herself looked totally different from her father.

[Erastor]

It's funny. He had checked around for any newcomers to the area, but had somehow missed the one that actually was. Perhaps she'd been hidden behind the roll of a hill when he last looked, or perhaps he was just tired. Either way, a young wolf had come into the area and his ears perked with the surprise of the unexpected, of the case where you think 'How did I miss that?'. Erastor's head turned, and for just a fleeting moment he had tensed...but it was a young wolf, hardly worth getting worked up over, not if he and Gailleann were leaving. No sooner had she come than questions arose. The brownish wolf's mood soured. He didn't really want this right now.

"I just arrived here fromn the mainland and this one met me here. We'll be leaving now for somewhere unclaimed. If I have reason to come back, I will. If not..."

He just shrugged. He wasn't going to impose right off after coming here. He needed to get some rest, ease into this place. He wasn't prepared to confront a whole pack just yet. Taking the fiery wolf's advice, he was seeking out somewhere quiet and open to rest up before dealing with this. Therefore, the two of them now loped out of the pack's territory. Plenty of time to deal with them later.

[EXIT]