A New Land, a New Home

[almasa]

The ocean was a thing of raw power. Roaring like thunder, cascading water droplets rained down on the coastline, marking the point where the continent boundary lines ended, and the never-ending expanse of water began. It was truly a wonder of nature, yet it was so rarely happened upon that most wolves didn't even bother to notice it. For those who did, however, it was simply waking paradise.

Seabirds wheeled in lazy half-circles overhead, their beady little eyes searching out any sort of free meal that they would be able to find. Tucking their wings in, they would occasionally dive down to investigate, only to find nothing of interest and soar back to the heavens once more. One leader of a fairly large flock suddenly let out a short, commanding squawk, dropping in altitude suddenly.

The others followed suit, angling their wings so that the wind caught them and lowered them down gently. The seabirds landed in a small circle, uttering neutral squawks as they stared at their leader's new choice of prey. A petite, midnight black wolfess lay upon the beach, seemingly in a coma-like state. In fact, the only signs that she was even still in contact with the world were the shallow breaths exhaled from her frail body, and the quiet murmurs that she occasionally omitted.

The leader landed on the female's back lightly, slowly inching his way towards the female's face. Ever so carefully, he poised himself just inches away from the female's left eye, ready to feed on the carcass he'd just discovered. Suddenly, a large, caramel-colored eye snapped open inches away from the seagull's own, a low growl emitted from the depths of the female's stomach.

The gull squawked loudly, twisting to the side as razor-sharp teeth snapped shut inches away from where his paper-thin wing had been moments before. Cawing loudly, the seagulls swooped into the air, continuing their search of a prey item that was actually dead, and not just in a semi-coma state.

Groaning lightly, Almasa sat up, blinking her eyes rather rapidly in order to get them back into focus. Damn you, Lamenta.... damn you to hell and beyond.... Almasa thought, shaking her head several times as she fought to stay awake. After several nerve-wracking moments, Almasa was finally able to get up and move a couple of feet to a small tidal pool a few feet away from her.

She knew that the tiny pool would likely be too salty to drink, but one could certainly hope. As Almasa stared into the brackish water, trying to ignore the tempting little minnows swimming around in it, she suddenly jolted back as if she had been poked by a cattle prod as she finally got a glimpse of her reflection. And then, Almasa's mouth parted and she said her first words on this new land.

"What the hell?!" Almasa would have mentally scolded herself at such a time. The petite female was rather proud of her clean mouth, so this was certainly a first for her. But it was true. Almasa looked absolutely hideous. Her fur was caked to her sides by sand, and was also soaking wet. And, at the moment, Almasa was so covered in seaweed that she looked more like some kind of medieval sea monster than a member of the canine species.

"Damn it.... it's gonna take me weeks to groom this out...." Some would have rolled their eyes at Almasa. Others would have said she was over-reacting. At the moment, Almasa was stark raving mad. This was absolutely unacceptable! How in the name of Fenris was she supposed to attract unsuspecting males if she was soaked and sand-covered?

Water, she could tolerate to a certain degree. Sand and seaweed? Absolutely not. Combine that with the fact that Almasa had missed a chance at a free meal when the flock of seagulls flew away, and the black wolfess was definitely not the happiest of campers. Hastily, she started licking herself in an attempt to get the sand and aquatic plants off. Again and again, her salmon-colored appendage rasped over her fur, clearing it of the debris of the land and sea combined.

Finally, after spending almost a good ten minutes grooming herself, Almasa stood up, satisfied that she at least looked presentable. Now faced with the fact that she should probably find somewhere to stay for the night, the wolfess moved off, farther down the beach, to see if she could find anything that could serve as a make-shift den.

This place was almost as gorgeous as the wolfess herself. Palm trees swayed gently in the slightly chilly breeze. Almasa didn't really mind the cold, though, as her breed, the Gray Wolf, could quickly adapt to any sort of climate. Soft, white sand crunched beneath her paws as Almasa made her way down the beach. Yes, this place truly was a wonder of nature. Almasa felt right at home here.

Lamenta was more than welcome to that pathetic excuse for a territory. Almasa had this beach all to her own. This was her place.

[leviticus]

[atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,false][atrb=border,3,true][atrb=width,450,true][atrb=background,http://i50.tinypic.com/w2ka43.png,true] The timbers were alive with the sound of woodland creatures. Insects chirping in the trees, fowl flying overhead, hares scampered quickly out of range at first glance of him. He didn't bother with them for the moment--his stomach was satisfied with the few he had caught earlier that day in unmarked territory. He had to say, these terras were certainly fruitful. The wolves who had marked the borders were certainly in the gods' good fortune. He was yet to decide if he should join one of the few packs that had formed or simply remain a loner. Finding unclaimed to hunt on wasn't difficult, so he still had some time to think over his decision. For now, he simply wanted to enjoy the sun on his fur, beating away the cold that a zephyr had filled him with. Mmmh, winter--this had been Iradessa's favorite month. If only she was here with me to enjoy it... He thought with a sigh, gazing up to the heavens as if he could catch a glimpse of his deceased mate. But no, there was only the grayish clouds and the bright winter sun. It had bee almost a full year or so since her passing, and he'd learned to live with the loss of his loved one. Inhaling the brisk air deeply, Levi continued on with a trot, slowing his gait when he felt the soft grass was becoming sand under his paws. His golden gaze turned down, and he batted at the soft, warm terrain with a paw. The smell of salty air was more predominant now that he scented the area, and he continued forth, wondering if his silent hunch could be right... A few more steps and he found that he had indeed been right. Before him stretched a large expense of beach, and just past it, the calm blue waters of an ocean. Gulls cried overhead, retreating back to the woodland, and he scanned the scene once more. The silhouette of a wolf stood further off toward the edge of the waters. He smiled--finally. It would be nice to converse with one of his kin... Approaching the canine, Levi soon found that--by her smaller frame--the silhouette was a black pelted female. All the better. "Hello, Miss!" Levi called to fae, raising his voice so he could be heard over the rushing waters.

[almasa]

Almasa quickly moved as fast as her exhausted legs would allow her to, looking for a suitable den site. Every single muscle in her body screamed in protest, begging her to go easy on them, but she chose to ignore the mental cries and instead focused on the task at hand. Her padded paws lay down a neat trail of neat, slightly soggy footprints, only to have them washed away once more by the tide.

That endless expanse of water never seemed to give up, much like Almasa herself. She was willing to do whatever it took to reach her goals, even if it meant, much like she was doing now, that she had to push her body to its highest limit. At the moment, however, the midnight-black female was currently letting her mind put itself on autopilot. Her paws never bothered to stop their constant range of motion, and probably wouldn't until she found a den, no matter how hard she tried.

Finally, about a mile or so from where she had started off, she found a small overhang in the side of a cliff, moss draping across its entrance. It seemed rather sheltered from the elements by the cliffside, and although it wasn't exactly the biggest or cleanest of shelters, it'd suffice for now. Almasa sighed in relief and squared her shoulders, ready to squeeze inside and treat herself to a much-needed nap. However, a sudden disturbance prevented her from doing so.

"Hello, Miss!"

The voice of another nearly succeeded in scaring the shit out of Almasa. Letting out a loud yelp, she skidded backwards in the sand, ears plastered to her skull. The Gray wolfess was not one to take very kindly to being caught off guard. In all truth, she had not smelled another approaching. The sea salt from this godforsaken place was apparently still fogging Almasa's senses. But Almasa really didn't think she was in that much of a pickle from a wolf that actually bothered to say "hi" to her. Raising her pupils slowly, she finally got a good look at her adversary.

It was a brute, about two years or so older than herself, but she had to admit he was rather handsome. Judging by his scent, he was alone, which made Almasa predict that he probably wasn't part of a pack. Well, at least she wouldn't have to worry about dozens of reinforcements rushing in out of nowhere if this brute really was just putting on a mask to lure her in. But enough pondering about matters she shouldn't concern herself with. Time to see if this brute could be lured in by her. Hmm.... let's see just how much of a fool this wolf is...

With a seductive air about her, she slowly walked up to the brute, circling him slowly and brushing against him every now and then, batting her eyelashes from time to time to make her display seem more realistic. "And just when I was beginnning to suspect that I was the only wolf on this island..." she purred, her voice silky smooth. "Well, hello there, gorgeous." So far, so good. Now all that was left to do was watch as the brute fell head-long into her trap.

Settling down onto her haunches, she couldn't help but shoot one last comment in the brute's direction. "So, what brings Mr. Handsome to grace my humble presence on this fine day?" If this all went her way, the brute would practically be putty in her paws, doing whatever she wished just to stay in her presence. If it didn't, then to hell with him. But as of now, Almasa had yet to meet a brute that wasn't totally besmitten with her.

[leviticus]

[atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,false][atrb=border,3,true][atrb=width,450,true][atrb=background,http://i50.tinypic.com/w2ka43.png,true] Levi watched her run about for a bit as he waited for her to acknowledge his presence, if she about to do so at all. But she did stop in the tracks she had made in the sand and her eyes flickered towards him. For a moment, an assessing look blanketed her expression before it turned to something quite different--he couldn't quite make it out from the spot he was at. He tilted his head in question as she spoke, appraoching. What is she doing...? He wondered, watching her circle him and stiffening at her contact. Why is she looking at me like that... Then he was finally able to place the behavior this fae was exhibiting. Looking over the form that sat in front of his with eyes clouded with the urge for seduction, he could confer that the femme was about two or three year old--she was at that age, hmm? He could remember when he'd been younger--a few of the faes in his pack had acted to same way, trying to get a male to cling to them for pure amusement. The few males that they did happen to snare were then their menials--hunting them their meals and all. Sooner or later, they were thrown away when the fae found lust for another, more personable male. He never gave them the attention they craved--he had Dess in mind, after all--and found it was a very effective way of dealing with them. So he stiffled his smirk and kept his expression in check, looking at her with easily mocked indifference. "Just thought it would be nice to converse with another wolf for a bit. Not so sure, now."

[almasa]

Almasa could sense the brute's discomfort, and she fed off of every single ounce of it, loving every minute of it. However, when he glanced at her, she quickly put on a mask of confusion and hurt, when mentally she was decorating her face with a sadistic smirk. He should consider himself lucky that I'm not one of those wolves that goes around killing for pleasure, or he'd really be trouble right about now.

She spoke again, her bell-like lyrics ringing through the air. "Come now, handsome, you don't need to be afraid of me. After all.... I'm only dangerous when I have to be." she said, letting his mind dissect that information while she slowly advanced on him. If need be, she would use fear to manipulate this brute, it had worked in the past, so surely it would work now. However, she wouldn't kill him, Almasa had left that part of her past far behind. It was just too much fun to manipulate unsuspecting brutes, however.

However, at his next words, all Almasa could do was plant her rump in the sand and stare at him, dumbfounded. "Just thought it would be nice to converse with another wolf for a bit. Not so sure, now." I don't believe it... he has to be kidding... or is he? The brute had done what no others had done before. He had refused to accept her charm and beauty, and Almasa was getting severely irked by this fact. He's the only brute.... definitely a first for me... this just isn't happening... Almasa sputtered in her head, still debating whether or not the brute was trying to play some sort of sick joke on her.

Well, what did you expect, you silly girl? The entire world doesn't revolve around you, you know! a small voice mentally scolded her. But Almasa just didn't seem to accept that fact. To her, she was literally irresistible. Up until now, all the brutes that she had met had met their downfall at her paws. Things were defnitely changing for the black female, both in home and in relationships.

Letting out a small cough, Almasa finally managed to snap back to reality long enough to adress the brute. "I'm... no threat to you. If I was, we wouldn't be having this conversation." All of the seductive tones had disappeared from her voice, showing that she meant no threat to this strange brute. Her posture had lowered a bit as well. Almasa really didn't want to resort to an unnecessary fight with this brute, she had wasted enough of her energy just trying to reach the mainland.

Besides, fighting would only bring back memories she'd rather not dwell on. Memories of... her. Lamenta. The entire reason why she was currently the way she was. Almasa could feel a flashback coming on, and so to prevent it, she spoke again, attempting to strike up a conversation and possibly make amends with the brute. "The name's Almasa, and that's pretty much all you need to know about me... my history's not a proud one." Almasa pronounced, trying to keep the resentment towards the brute out of her voice.

"May I inquire of yours?" It wasn't that often that Almasa ran into others who were willing to bond with her. Hopefully this brute would stick around for a while, as much as Almasa hated him for ignoring her beauty. A female could get used to this.

[leviticus]

[atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,false][atrb=border,3,true][atrb=width,450,true][atrb=background,http://i50.tinypic.com/w2ka43.png,true] "Come now, handsome, you don't need to be afraid of me. After all.... I'm only dangerous when I have to be." The ocean roared beside Levi, and he wondered if he'd heard the fae wrong. She thought he was frightened of her? Far from it. He wouldn't harm the smaller femme without a cause--that was simply injudicious. But how was he to be frightened of a little black fae that spent every moment of their conversation so far batting her eyelashes or trying to snug up to him? He stifled a snort easily, happy to see the moment of confusion run across the female's face. The ame thing had happened with Aleria and Aura--two faes from his previous pack who acted in the same manner of this young fae--when he'd given them an answer with that tone and look. But soon enough, Levi was relieved to see her actually persona crawling out from the sheath of her sultry act. He allowed her a small smirk. There, now she was acting like a wolf he'd enjoy speaking with. Listening with perked ears to her conversation kindling, he nodded inwardly. Levi understand why she was holding back information. He could respect it, as well--after all, his own history couldn't be called courageous or brag-gable. "Well, Almasa," Levi replied, looking her over once more to see the difference in her tone, stance and expression, "It's a pleasure to meet you real you. My name is Leviticus, but you're free to call me Levi."

[almasa]

"Well, Almasa, it's a pleasure to meet you real you." At these words, Almasa snarled quietly, ivory-white canines showing as her black lips retreated from the roof of her mouth. Sure, it had all just been a trick in the beginning, but did he have to mock her for it? This brute was already pushing his luck far enough as it was, he didn't need to aggravate her just to make a point.

"Not my fault that some people don't appreciate beauty." she spat towards him, eyes narrowed. However, Almasa found that she couldn't hold the brute's gaze, and her eyelids quickly dropped to the ground, the anger and hostility fading from her body. Almasa just wasn't the type to hold grudges against anyone, with the exception of her sister. She'd learned long ago that revenge wasn't the only way to solve a problem.

"My name is Leviticus, but you're free to call me Levi." Almasa looked up, ears perked as the brute finally bothered to introduce himself. He had a name that matched him perfectly, in Almasa's opinion. It was long, foreign-sounding, and a bit difficult to pronounce, but who was Almasa to judge how easy or complex names were? Her's wasn't exactly the most common of them, either.

"Levi seems a bit degrading to me... so, if you don't mind, I think I'll just stick to the full name for now." Almasa said in reply, and allowed the brute a small, dazzling smile before settling back on her haunches. Instantly, silence slid between the two like a pane of glass. Almasa had nothing more to say, and in truth she honestly didn't know what to say to this brute. There seemed to be much more to him then first met the eye.

For one, the brute didn't really seem to act his age. Usually, at five years, wolves either turned into a philosopher-type character or were rambling on about some "back in my day" nonsense. But this brute acted more like he was her age, and seemed generally cheerful and social. He wasn't like most loners that Almasa met, the ones that preferred to isolate themselves from any contact more than anything.

Yes, she certainly had quite a few things to learn about this brute. Almasa, however, was currently distracted from her day-dreaming by a cold wind whipping through her fur. Shivering a bit, Almasa looked out to sea, only to find the reflection of the setting sun. The Gray female sat up with a jolt. Had they really been sitting here on the beach for that long?

Almasa looked over to "Levi", seeming to acknowledge his presence for the first time. If he needs someplace to stay for the night... But how could she possibly ask him without seeming like she was trying to flirt again? What to do, what to do.... Almasa stood up and began to pace back and forth, her paws leaving small depressions in the sand. She'd never really had that much contact with brutes before, seeing as all the ones she had met in the past had been slain.

She had no idea on how to even begin to ask him if he wanted to stay with her for the night. Finally, after quite a few minutes of pacing up and down, Almasa turned to Leviticus and spoke in what she hoped was a decent enough invitation. "Look, it is getting rather late... if you don't have any place to stay.... you're more than welcome to stay for the night." she said, flicking her tail towards the small outcropping and walking over toward it. "I'm afraid it's not exactly the biggest, but it'll do for now... unless you want to find somewhere else..."

It was Almasa's most sincere try at asking the brute if he wanted to stay with her that she could muster up. At the moment, though, she severely needed some rest. Sighing, she lowered her hindquarters and squeezed in, curling herself into a tight ball as she did so. Closing her eyelids slightly, she kept her ears perked up slightly, listening to the roar of the ocean currents and also awaiting an answer from Leviticus.

Edit:

Almasa's eyes finally snapped open, no longer willing or able to hold her eyelids together. The onyx female had been tossing and turning for quite some time, trying to get some decent rest, all to no avail. Her stomach was so desperately in need of food to fill it that it resisted every attempt she made at a short rest.

Groaning, Almasa rose from her mossy bed as her stomach let out yet another protesting rumble. Yeah, we get it. I haven't eaten anything for ages. Shut up already! she mentally snarled at her stomach. Yet Almasa knew, as much as she despised to, that she couldn't keep refusing her body's demands. It had been so long since she'd had anything but what was left of her sister's kills that, in all honesty, Almasa really didn't know how much longer she could last without a decent meal to fill her stomach.

Stumbling outside, she blinked rapidly a few times to get her eyes adjusted to the bright sunlight, then looked down the beach at Leviticus, who still had yet to give her an answer as to if he was staying or not. "I'm going to go hunting for a bit, if you don't mind. You're more than welcome to come with me, but otherwise just stay here. I'll be back." she promised as she hurried down the beach.

And with that, Almasa was gone. Running down the far end of the beach, she headed in the direction of the Xayar Forest. She didn't care how tired she was, she was going to find food if it killed her.


(OOC: Note- Almasa's not leaving for good. She's just going hunting for a bit, and then she'll be back.)