"Excuse me? Anyone around?"

[albatross]

The young female hovered uncertainly near the border. Her body posture was submissive: her tail curled between her hindlegs; her fur laid flat along her back. A quivering grin was present on her maw, showing obvious hesitation and apprehension. She squinted to look further into the territory, but gave up after a few seconds, shaking her head in resignation. I wonder if they have herbs to cure short-sightedness here, she mused idly, maintaining the proper submissive look in case a pack wolf was to wander by. If they do, I'm in luck!

The chilly wind swept at her fur. Shivering a little despite her warm coat, the white wolf padded towards a thick tree, shielding herself from the breeze. Here there was no-one to press together with for warmth, unlike her home, where her parents still resided (she hoped). And what a time to be out alone! Winter was unforgiving. She really ought to have waited a while – come to think of it, the pack was probably asleep in a den, waiting for the weather to clear.

She stood still for the next five minutes, hoping that someone is around – anyone! Even a normal, subordinate wolf! But no-one came. Her tail drooped even further, and she pressed her maw to her forepaws, stifling a sigh. The pack border was new. There ought to be wolves around, well-fed and insulated against the cold, patrolling. But then again, who would be so foolish to invade territory in such a harsh season?

About to give up and wander away to find herself a den – for it was getting dark already – Perry remembered something her father had taught her. Something about howling at a border for acceptance. Except that she'd thought it pretty rude (hey, would you like it if someone knocked at your door and demanded to be let in while you're having dinner and all that?), and didn't really keep that in mind. Now it seemed as if she ought to try that method. Lifting her maw to the sky, she let out a lonely wail of a howl, praying that someone would hear, and reassumed her subordinate posture.

[kohara]

How did I end up in such a cold place? As Argent Alku treked through the mixture of soft and hard snow, she was thankful that her winter coat had come in. It wasn't much help up here, but she imagined it would have been worse with her summer coat. She was thankful for what she had, instead of coveting things she didn't. When she ambled over a particularly large snow mound, she spotted another wolf on the horizon. This wolf has to be an Arctic Wolf, or at least something to that effect.

At only twenty yards away, Argent Alku let out a sharp bark to signal her advance. The last thing she wanted to do was spook a wolf in these desolate conditions. Who knows what damage that could do? Without waiting for the other wolf's response, she proceeded to venture closer. Her boldness came from months spent alone, wandering all over for miles and miles at a time.

Stopping about five feet away, she called out to the wolf. I am Argent Alku, and who might you be? Her tail and head were still held high, and she lowered them so as not to seem threatening in any way, shape, or form. Curiously, she study the wolf. She had been able to tell as soon as she scented the air, that this wolf was also female. This wolf also seemed to have a small eyesight problem, judging by the thin, cloudy film over her eyes.

[albatross]

OOC: Um, actually, you can't really see the eyesight problem, but who cares about that? Someone's willing to RP with me! *Hugs repeatedly*

---

A sharp bark made Perry's ears perk up. A pack wolf coming to answer her call? Her tail shot out straight in joy, and she immediately bounced out from behind the tree, looking around for the other wolf. Or rather, listening around.

Another wolf approached boldly, tail and head help up. Perry could see a blurry, red form if she squinted, but while it did improve her seeing a little, her head soon started to throb from the effort. Giving up, she relied on her scent and her hearing to identify the new comer. Oh, please, let it be a pack member!

Her nose caught a whiff of unrecognisable scent. It was definitely not what she had picked up at the border. Disappointed, she let out a small "Aww", but quickly perked up again at the thought of someone to talk to. Carefully putting her head and tail low to show that she meant no harm whatsoever, she let her tongue loll out in joy when the other stopped and began to speak.

'I am Argent Alku, and who might you be?'

The speaker was clearly a female, bringing with her rich scents that she had never come across before. Eagerly Perry started forwards, wanting to talk with the Red Wolf, but decorum held her back. Instead, she let loose a barrage of haphazard questions and answers, "I'm Peregrine, but you can call me Perry for short. Argent Alku? That's a very nice name! Argent means 'silver', right? That's so cool! Apparently I'm named after a bird. A bird. Can you guess how stupid it sounds? Are you here to join this pack, or are you just passing by? I want to join a pack. I hope they've got the herbs my mum said can cure short-sightedness – that's mai-ohh-pee-ah, I think – or I'd have to go around half-blind! Eheheh! But I can hear stuff well..."

She went on and on, until finally, stopping with a "... How old are you?", she realised she might have stepped over the line.

[kohara]

Silly, silly pup. So many questions, good thing I have time, it's not like I have anywhere to go. Huh, so she does have a vision problem Taking a deep breath, she began to answer the questions that were thrown at her in the pup's evident excitement at meeting another wolf. Bringing her head and tail back up proudly, her voice was gentle when she spoke.

I'm Peregrine, but you can call me Perry for short.
It's very nice to meet you Perry, you may call me either Argent or Alku for short.
Argent Alku? That's a very nice name! Argent means 'silver', right? That's so cool!
Yes, Argent means silver, and I'm glad you like it. I think my parents did a awesome job naming me.
Apparently I'm named after a bird. A bird. Can you guess how stupid it sounds?
The Peregrine Falcon is a magnificent bird, and happens to be one of my favorites to watch flying. You should be proud about your name, and don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise.
Are you here to join this pack, or are you just passing by? I want to join a pack.
I'm looking to join a pack, but for now, I'm just passing by to get a lay of the land, and check out any other packs that might also be in this area. That way, I know which one will suit me best, if they'll have me.
I hope they've got the herbs my mum said can cure short-sightedness – that's mai-ohh-pee-ah, I think – or I'd have to go around half-blind! Eheheh! But I can hear stuff well...
I hope they have them as well, the world is a beautiful place that you'll hopefully be able to see clearly one day. You're absolutely right, when an animal loses one of its senses, the others are strengthened to make up for the loss.
... How old are you?
I'm two years old, what about you? I'm guessing around a year old, judging by your size?

After answering the pup's questions, Argent Alku smiled softly. I could get to love this pup, she seems sweet and friendly. Extremely outgoing for a pup with her disability, although I wouldn't really call it that. Carefully, she nudged her nose into the other wolf's neck, breathing in her scent so she could put it in her vault to remember. Then, remembering that her boldness often got her into trouble, she apologized. Sorry, I have a tendency to do things without thinking. It comes from months spent alone. I was just memorizing your scent, so I would be able to find you anywhere. I like you. With her last statement, her smile was replaced by a big, wolfish grin.

[albatross]

OOC: Ladida~ Perry is excited. X3

---

If wolves could blush, Perry would have. She was both embarrassed by her outburst (Mind your manners, her mother would have said) and delighted by the fact that Argent Alku, or Argent, as she had decided to call the Red Wolf, took her seriously and replied to her questions without appearing offended. Her eyes opened wide when she heard that Argent thought her name was good – seriously, she herself didn't think so – but her tail and ears drooped when she heard that her new friend wasn't here to stay. Nodding sympathetically, Peregrine couldn't help but agree with her logic, and remind herself that it was perhaps too rash to charge headlong into the first pack she'd come across without checking others out first. Then again, she argued, it's not like I know there are other packs about. I'm just trying my luck!

'I'm two years old, what about you? I'm guessing around a year old, judging by your size?' Perry hadn't expected Argent to guess so accurately. She'd always thought of herself as being bigger than usual, there being no others to compare herself to apart from her petite mother, and her ears shot up in surprise. "Uh-huh, that's right! You're good at guessing!" An envious look was plastered across her muzzle. "Wow, you must've seen a lot if you're two years old – that sounds soooo far away from my age now!" She stopped, pressing her maw to her forepaws in shame. "I didn't mean to say you're old or anything... It's just that you sound so – experienced..." To emphasise the fact that she didn't mean to offend, she curled her bushy tail under her belly again, so quickly that it sent a small flurry of snow into her belly fur and made her giggle slightly.

The Arctic Wolf yelped softly when Argent made a move towards her, putting her nose into the younger wolf's neck fur. For a moment Perry was reminded of how her mother used to pick her up by her scruff and carry her back to the den for a proper dressing-down whenever she made a mistake, and she tensed up, worried that she might have made Argent annoyed after all. But the female relaxed when she realised Argent was only sniffing her, and boldly returned the gesture, reinforcing the variety of scents she had picked up when they first exchanged names. Maybe this meant she thinks I'm important enough to remember, she thought excitedly. We can be good buddies! And I won't make mistakes if we meet again, 'cause I can recognise her scent and her pelt! Indeed, the short-sighted wolf studied her new friend's fur closely, noting the rich hues of brown, red and white splattered across her torso. What a beautiful mix of colours! marvelled the white female. Nothing like my dull white-grey...

'Sorry, I have a tendency to do things without thinking. It comes from months spent alone. I was just memorizing your scent, so I would be able to find you anywhere. I like you.'

Argent's backing away made Peregrine realise that she ought to do the same. Carefully backtracking a little, she replied with a wide grin of her own. "Really? So do I! But usually I end up getting scolded about not using my head." She was delighted that Argent Alku liked her as well. Hey, five minutes into meeting others of her kind and she's already got a friend! Luck must be smiling at her. "I like you too. You sound so wise and confident..." Peregrine made up her mind. She'd heard about her parents having – what's it called again? Ah, yes – role models that they looked up to. Argent Alku would be her role model; she was the very image of a "proper lady wolf" that her mother had told her, so many times, about.

[kohara]

Wow, you must've seen a lot if you're two years old – that sounds soooo far away from my age now!

Instantly, Argent saw the pup bury her muzzle underneath her white paws. Poor thing, she thinks she's offended me, when really, she hit the nail right on the head.

I didn't mean to say you're old or anything... It's just that you sound so – experienced...

No offence taken little one, and there's no need to apologize. I know what you meant. She felt a frown creep down as she remembered her hard past. So hard... Taking a deep breath, she began to tell Perry a little about what she'd seen. I have seen many things, some of those things, a wolf should never have to witness. Not wanting to scare the pup, she didn't elaborate on the last part. I've seen many wooded forests, spanning farther than the eye could see, and many creatures as well. Some of them docile, while others, let's just say they were a little bit of a challenge to cope with. I've wandered far and wide over the country, and have been on my own for about six months now. There's more to it than that of course, my life story that is, but I doubt that's something you want to here right now pup.

Argent chortled softly at the younger wolf's surpirse, and smiled when the young wolf repeated her own action, burying her nose into her fur. She cocked her head to the side when Perry's ears and tail drooped in, she guessed, sadness that she wouldn't be sticking around. She mustn't have anyone left to go to, and she's so young, vulnerable, and impressionable. Not a very good combination when she might not fully understand right from wrong. She touched her nose comfortingly to Perry's own, in an attempt to cheer her up. She didn't know what else to do since she had been around other wolves in a long time.

I like you too. You sound so wise and confident...

The wisdom comes with an endless amount of time to observe, as well as the situations I've been through, and that means good and bad. The confidence, I'm still working on, but I'm getting there. She shivered roughly as a strong gust of wind blew of the snow, chilling her fur all the way down to the skin. don't think I'll be joining whatever pack lives here, it's too cold to live up here, and I don't want to even try getting used to it. She sighed softly, her heated breath clearly visible in the air. I'm sure you're perfectly warm, but I'm freezing, and have to get out of here before I turn into an icicle. You can come with me if you want, or stay here, whichever you prefer. If you decide to stay up here, you already know how to find me.

[albatross]

OOC: Ladida~

---

'I've seen many wooded forests, spanning farther than the eye could see, and many creatures as well. Some of them docile, while others, let's just say they were a little bit of a challenge to cope with. I've wandered far and wide over the country, and have been on my own for about six months now. There's more to it than that of course, my life story that is, but I doubt that's something you want to here right now pup.'

Peregrine remembered Argent's words as she pawed residue snow off her belly fur. I do want to hear about it, she thought, but kept her maw shut – after all, Argent might be in a hurry to go somewhere else. So, with a reluctant nod, she replied, "Maybe in the future I'll go further south, and see the forests for myself... And the creatures that come with them." With a hindpaw she scraped off a chunk of frost that stuck to her belly, listening as Argent Alku continued speaking.

'The wisdom comes with an endless amount of time to observe, as well as the situations I've been through, and that means good and bad. The confidence, I'm still working on, but I'm getting there.'

The white pup nodded enthusiastically, eager to take in the advice of her current role model. She thought that the Red Wolf was already very much a confident wolf, but she didn't want to contradict the older female, and instead focused on breaking down the first part – about observing. Observing meant seeing, right? But it could also mean listening and smelling and touching and tasting. That's what her father told her: learn to use her better senses. And probably, Argent meant for her to learn from her mistakes and improve. This thought quailed the excited Arctic pup. She didn't want to sit back and loaf around or anything, but hard work wasn't exactly her cup of tea. She reached a compromise, finally: learn from aforementioned mistakes, but whether she improves or not will, well, depend on... circumstances.

Argent Alku sighed, which immediately brought Perry's attention back to the reddish-hued female. Was she tired? Or cold, as the shiver she thought she saw signalled? 'I'm sure you're perfectly warm, but I'm freezing, and have to get out of here before I turn into an icicle. You can come with me if you want, or stay here, whichever you prefer. If you decide to stay up here, you already know how to find me.'

The white pup was caught at a dilemma. On one paw, she wanted, very much, to go with Argent Alku – after all, one ought to be constantly around one's role model to learn. On the other paw, she was already used to the slightly-warmer climate (as long as there were no chilling breezes like just now, she reminded herself) around the mountains, and wasn't sure if she could cope with the hotter climate down south. Maybe a visit now and then would be fine, but living year-long with her thick, fluffy coat? She wasn't sure she wouldn't pass out with a heat-stroke. Peregrine considered the decision as the biggest one she's ever come across yet, and gave both sides equal consideration.

At last, she reached yet another compromise. (It seemed to be her strong point.) "Um, I think I'd like to stay up around here, where I'm more familiar with the climate... But maybe I'll go down for a trip during spring or autumn, and you can come up during summer to visit. I really do want to go with you, but..." How could she put it into words?

[kohara]

I understand pup, just as I am much too cold with my thin coat up here, you are much too hot with your thick coat down there. I just wasn't sure whether you wanted to come down to check out the other lands and packs that live in this area. No worries, I'm sure our paths will cross again. Poor thing, she looks hurt. I can tell she wants to come, but the snow is her real home, and she doesn't wish to leave. Touching her own large snout to Perry's small one, she turned to head back down the mountain, and into the warmer climate below. Remember pup, whenever you need me, just smell the air, and your nose will lead the way. Releasing a long howl, her form began to fade into the distance. She made sure to walk slow enough for the pup to catch up if she changed her mind, yet fast enough to get good time.

Perhaps I will find a pack close to here, but with my kind of weather. That'd be nice, and I'm sure Perry would love that. One can only hope though, and look towards the future.

[albatross]

OOC: Thread ends!

---

'I understand pup, just as I am much too cold with my thin coat up here, you are much too hot with your thick coat down there. I just wasn't sure whether you wanted to come down to check out the other lands and packs that live in this area. No worries, I'm sure our paths will cross again.'

Perry nodded, grateful that Argent understood what she was trying to say. She let out a small sniffle as the older female touched her muzzle to the pup's, trying to hold back sudden despair. The Arctic Wolf lived practically for company; for her first friend to live so suddenly, after such a brief exchange of words, was heartbreaking to the young female. She looked as the Red Wolf padded away, not without longing, but as she wavered between going and staying, she knew that she belonged with the snow and the cold.

'Remember pup, whenever you need me, just smell the air, and your nose will lead the way.'

The white pup sniffled again, swiping a paw across her eyes as her first friend's howl reached her ears. Well, at least now I know how to find her, she thought. I'm sure I will recognise her scent and voice, no matter where and when. She forced a quivering smile onto her muzzle and shouted after Argent's retreating figure, "Good luck, Argent Alku!"

She was alone now.

Peregrine lifted her muzzle to the sky and let out a call as well, this time meant for anyone of the Aldgar Pack to answer.

A minute later, an answering howl reached her ears, and Perry's heart leapt with excitement. So there were wolves around after all! Jump-starting from her stationary position, she skidded across the border, scenting the ground for a scent trail. She found more than one.

They all pointed to a series of caves on the mountain, so, with some intelligent guessing, the white female decided she would check out that place first. Besides, the howl seemed to have come from that direction as well. Tongue lolling out of her maw excitedly, the Arctic Wolf pounded towards the dens.