Ever since the fall of Salen when the man she had considered an almost surrogate father had ordered everyone to leave him for reasons Akela was still trying to understand; she had been wondering the lands just trying to survive. To date, she had not yet found herself a new pack, she just wasn't sure she wanted to be with another pack...yes she wanted companionship and a family, it was in her nature to do so. But the events that had led to Salen's demise...and the devastation she had felt in loosing those she had considered family had been difficult, and she didn't want to have that happen again. Everyone had left so quickly that she'd never really had a chance to say goodbye, or to even travel with any of them; for all she knew most of them could be dead... the life of a loner was dangerous after all. Loosing Salen had only reminded her of how she had lost her parents and siblings when she had only been a pub; fresh into the world. The very fact that she had survived alone when she had been so young was a miracle, Salen had saved her and she couldn't see herself ever having as much loyalty or trust in another pack then she did with Salen.
Salen had taught her a lot and had turned her into a fine wolf; if there was one thing she felt thankful for about Exodus driving them all out; it was that at least he had taught her how to survive by herself. It was the only reason she had lasted the past year by herself; true, food was harder to come by and she had lost a bit of weight but she was still healthy enough and probably better off then most in her situation. Still, times were tough and the more time she spent alone, the more logic told her it was time to seek out another pack and move on with her life. Perhaps if she took a risk in time she would be able to find that connection again, and if she found a pack that was...solid enough maybe she would have nothing to fear.
Standing on the outskirts of a strange sandy land she had come across some days before, she surveyed the border; smelling the scent of the pack's markings strongly. This land wasn't one she was used to; she was used to running on grass and snow...not this strange orange and yellow soft earth. But if she wanted to move through the lands it would be quicker to do so by passing through these lands. It was a risk but one she felt she had to take, but she wasn't foolish enough to wonder uninvited into someone's lands; Salen....Exodus had taught her better then that. Lifting up her muzzle she sent out a howl across the border, seeking permission to enter the lands and to pass through without worry. Words;; ### Muse;; fairly high Notes;; enjoy
The scent of wolves within the Occasus was not the stench of a pack at all. Rather, a cry atop the volcano had summoned a rather strange collection of misfits. There had been the bloodstained Angel from the ranks of Descai and the mysterious Chaos from a home unknown. Most importantly, however, had been Meridian. The lithe young female had summoned these wolves in her quest for continental domination. Not that she was starting a pack or anything... In fact, Meridian's claiming howl had been exactly the opposite of a true pack wolf's. What she had stated was that the world was her's, ripe for the taking and to do with as she pleased regardless of how others dared react. It was a declaration of independence, a statement of greed. Anikira was her's to do with as she pleased and no one would tell her differently.
It had been some time since she had parted with her previous company, not caring if she ever saw them again or not. Wolves paraded in and out of her life at a fairly good clip. What were a few more "friends" that didn't stick around? Nothing but toys, really. If the met again it would be by fate and not of her own choosing. What mattered now was that she was alive and healthy, or at least as healthy as one with her heritage could be. Denali and Atreyu had passed on a rather unstable lineage and both of their pups suffered.
Regardless, Meridian trotted through the desert lands as if nothing at all was wrong. She let the dragonfly guide her, leading her down an unseen path that would hopefully drag her from these heated lands. The desert was hot, too hot for a mixed blood like herself. The sooner she was out of here the better. In fact, maybe she would make her way north. It was colder there. The idea of snow was an enchanting and it had been some time since she had set her eyes on those lands for the very first time. Yes! The north was calling to her! But first... First she would answer that very familiar call.
The dragonfly zigzagged, turning unexpectedly and changing the white wolf's course. In truth, the delusion was a nothing more than a manifestation of her subconscious desires. It lead her no more than her senses did. It could even be called a visual image of her hearing and sense of smell. But why track by traditional means when the delusion was so helpful? The dragonfly was more fun too, whispering suggestions on what she should and should not do. And, right now, she fully believed that it wanted her to greet Akela.
Breaking into the other female's line of sight, Meridian took a moment to watch in childlike curiosity. Hunger sparkled in her green eyes as she considered the canine before her. Though she kept her distance, it was hard to deny her predatory posture. Tail held high and lips curled back in a sadistic smile, she eyed her former pack mate with interest. "I know you." Statement of fact. It had been a long time since she'd last seen anyone that had lived in an Acerbus still claimed by Salen. And, while she may not have remembered Akela by name there was a spark of recognition there. Unfortunately, sparks for Meridian tended to cause wildfires.
Unsure how long it would take for someone to come and greet her; after all the lands a pack held could go on for miles and from what she could see of the strange sandy land, it looked like it went on forever. For all she knew her howl might not have even been heard amidst the vast land, but the scents were rather recent so hopefully they were near by. Still uncertain on how long she would have to wait she sat herself down, allowing herself to have a well deserved rest for a while. She had been on the move pretty much non stop for a few days now, only really stopping to sleep and catch herself a few rabbits to allow herself to continue; she didn't really know where she was heading, but something in her told her to carry on.
As she awaited a reply, or even one of the member to greet her she felt something crawling on her paw, looking down she saw a strange creature she hadn't seen before. It had strange eyes and a weird long tail...and it's skin it was an unusual texture. She couldn't quite describe it but it was...smooth yet rough at the same time, and it had strange patterns on it. Sniffing the strange creature to try and get an idea what it was she found herself further confused. This was certainly a strange land and the wolf; who was so used to the mountains and forests found herself both fascinated and weary of the creature and the lands it came from. She was curious to what it might taste like; but it certainly didn't smell tasty and for all she knew it could have been poisonous; and logic and her instinct to survive outweighed her curiosity, it just wasn't worth it and she watched it crawl away on it's strange legs; wondering if there were more unusual creatures like it in the orange lands.
Not long after the strange creature had left someone arrived to greet her and Akela pushed herself up into a standing position, only to find that whoever had come to greet her was approaching her as if to attack her. Though logic told her to remain calm and to not appear a threat; instinct told her to get ready to defend herself and try as she might to let her thoughts govern her body, instinct won and her ears and body lowered, ready to leap at the wolf of flee when and if the time called for it. However, as the wolf got closer a spark of recognition caused her to calm and she picked her head up; shocked and surprised to see that she was still alive. Though she had hoped her old pack members were still alive and well, she knew how harsh the land could be and although it shamed her to think it, she had always worried about Meridian; the young princess had been...odd and too curious for her own good. But the fact that she was very much alive and looked healthy filled her heart with joy, she had seen Exodus as a father, and in turn Meridian and Kodiak as younger siblings, so seeing Meridian again, to her, could only be a good thing. "Meri? Meridian....little one I am so happy to see you." Her tail wagged slightly but she remained where she was, even if Meridian was an old pack mate she couldn't wonder in without permission; she knew better then that. "It's me Akela.. we were in Salen together with your father Exodus."
Words;; ### Muse;; fairly high Notes;; the creature is a lizard
The familiar stranger took on a submissive stance. Good. Meridian's sneer only grew in pleasure at Akela's backed ears and defensive posture. It meant she felt threatened, possibly even afraid. The younger female thrived on such emotions. She liked sending discomfort into the hearts of others. Their reactions were always so... amusing. To think! A young flower like herself had the ability to unnerve old, bigger wolves. No one ever suspected the childlike innocence that so often shone in her eyes, the melodic voice that would probably never mature. Meridian was nothing more than a pup in an adult's body, and it was that cunning, childlike mind that pulsed with an intelligence beyond anyone's wildest dreams. Oh, she was a smart one, too smart in some ways. Perhaps "savante" was a better suited term for one such as herself, even if her skills lay in death and destruction rather than something wholesome.
Alas, the full blooded Mack. Valley's wariness did not last long. It seemed she too had been lured in by the familiar. And now she seemed almost... excited? She was also rather insulting. "I'm not little!" Meridian was indignant, huffing as she puffed her chest out a little, trying to make herself bigger. She was fairly well sized given her impure lineage. Tundra, Grey, Mackenzie Valley... Thirty-one inches was a fair hight for a young female such as herself. And now that she was two years old she was easily full grown. Thus, to have her former pack mate insinuate that she was anything but a true canine, to assume that she was still that idiotic pup of years past... Meridian's blood boiled with a new kind of lust. It was the kind that made her yearn for blood.
For a split second the dragonfly was encouraging of the idea. Do it. Slit her throat and drink her blood. It would be fairly easy, after all. The princess was light on her feet. One quick, fatal strike and Meridian would never be insulted by this fool again! Hungrily she advanced. But... But there was something Akela said that gave her pause. Salen... Exodus... The growl that had been building in her throat morphed into a whimper. How long had it been since she'd heard those names uttered by anyone but her own mind?
In truth, Meridian missed her old life. She missed her papas, both of them, and in a desperate attempt to reclaim them she'd taken to referring to anyone that held some semblance of both Exodus and Atreyu as her papa. Sure it wasn't the same, but she craved a father figure in her life. She wanted a strong, powerful male to care for her and treat her like the princess she had been brought up to be. And Salen... Salen! She had tried to keep the lands, had even joined the new pack that resided in their lands. Descai was of no use to her though and, after nearly losing her life in the mines, she had taken to a life on her own. Wandering lost, aimlessly, she ventured throughout Anikira in search of the things she was missing in life. And now... Now this pretentious bitch had the nerve to throw it all back into her face.
Meridian's dominant posture lowered. Her tail dropped, her ears drooped, and her lips once again hid her teeth. Something had changed within the female. Broken. The bold tone of before had receded from her voice, making her sound like the child she truly was. "I miss Papa." She looked so sad as she uttered those words, not much more than a soft whisper, a memory. Now she truly did look like the child Akela held memories of. And, bright green eyes turning up to face the older wolf, the mixed blood did the unexpected. She closed the gap between them completely, pressing her head against Akela's chest in search of some sort of comfort. "I miss Papa, Keela."
Meridian was correct when she said she wasn't little; she had grown a lot since Akela had last seen her, she had become a beautiful young adult and she had no doubt that even with the she-wolf's oddities that she had become a fine wolf. She resisted a laugh as Meridian puffed out her chest, showing the full extent of her size. It seemed that despite being two years old the former princess of Salen still had a childish streak; in a way it was good thing she hadn't exactly had a normal childhood and whilst some would probably view it as unstable Akela found it refreshing, it meant that the she-wolf was remaining youthful and it was so often said that pubs had the greatest understanding of the world. But although there was only a year between them she couldn't help but see Meridian as that pup; after all she had watched her grow from a little bundle of fur into her first year, how could she not see Meridian in that way? "Forgive me princess, you've certainly grown up into a fine and remarkable wolf." She didn't wish to sour this meeting with any misunderstandings; not when she was so overjoyed to see someone she had considered family once again. "I was mistaken."
Had she realised the mention of Salen or Exodus would have upset the wolf this much she would have stayed silent; but she could understand why. When Exodus had disbanded the pack and driven them all out she had been torn apart, Salen had become a family to her after loosing her own to the Knaves and loosing another had been devastating. But she had been an adult when it had happened and coping with the loss had been easier somehow...but for Meridian? It must have been devastating to loose everything she had known and loved so quickly and to have to face the world by herself. True, Akela had experienced similar when her family had died; perhaps that was why she was so attached and overjoyed to see the princess; they were similar in more ways then perhaps they realised. It broke her heart to see Meridian so upset, to see her crumble from such confidence from just hearing a name; resting her head on Meridian's she nuzzled her tenderly, trying to comfort the young wolf. "Shh there there, I miss him too."
Akela's touch was soothing, motherly. In a lot of ways it had been more than the young femme had ever gotten from her actual mother. Denali. Meridian had never felt much attachment towards her mother, nor did her mother really seem to care all that much about her pups. Affection had always been something that came from Exodus in those rare moments he would let his guard down and actually enjoy his family. Sometimes it came from her siblings too, or it had in the rare moments she actually spent with them. Whether Rovan was alive or dead was a mystery now though, and it had been far too long since she'd last seen Kodiak Black.
In many ways, Akela was currently the last connection she had to her family. Besides herself and her elder brother, the other white female was quite possibly the last face still living from Salen. They were the next generation, the youth that had grown up within the pack's protection. And now they were all out on their own. While it was true Meridian was not one to form attachments, especially ones that lasted, her heart did hold a special place for those she considered her family. Those were the wolves she would not make suffer. Those were the wolves gifted with a chance to see her show some weakness.
Nuzzling against Akela's fur, Meridian let out a whine. How long the two females remained entwined, sharing a moment of loss, was unknown. Minutes seemed to drag on forever as Meridian tried to cling to whatever comfort she could. In truth, she really was nothing more than an overgrown child. Though her body had matured, her mind was trapped in a fairytale of her own creation. And though her actions were often less than pure, she somehow still maintained her innocence. Maybe that's why, as she finally pulled back from her pack mate and stared at the other with wide, sad, emerald eyes, she looked every part the pup Akela remembered her as. "Do you know if any of the others survived?" Besides themselves and Kodiak? Why yes, the young princess was actually showing some concern.
