Lost and Found [joining]

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Opheilia padded along through the snowy forest. She shivered in the icy wind. She wasn't used to the cold after spending all her life in a rainforest. She was violently shaking, wincing at her cold and confusion. How am I supposed to do this? She asked herself. She knew that getting into a pack might be hard, but she didn't expect freezing temperatures and heavy snow. It was almost white-out condition. She really didn't want to turn back now, but she was beginning to regret her coming in the first place.

As she walked along, she had to squint to see through the snow. She was still shaking pretty badly, and her paws were beginning to feel numb. She stopped and sat down in the snow. She began to cry. She began to feel like a pup again, crying. But this wasn't crying over nothing. She was cold, lost, confused, and aching. As tears rolled down her face, they froze quickly. Some stuck to her face, and others fell to the snowy ground. She looked up to the cloudy sky, closed her eyes tight, and howled as loud as her lungs would let her.

After a good few moments of howling, she stopped. Everything was silent. She stood up and began to walk along again. She was seriously beginning to regret coming in the first place. Then again, she had fought hard to get through this snow. Maybe that would make her more worthy of getting into the pack. What am I gonna do, what am I gonna do? She thought. She continued to walk along, but resumed crying. She really had no idea what she was going to do.

She tried to think positive. Maybe she'd get into the pack. Maybe she'd become a great hunter. Maybe her Alpha would recognize her as an amazing wolf. Maybe she'd become Lead Hunter. If anything happens to the Beta, which she actually wished there wouldn't, maybe she'd become the Beta. Unfortunately, the key word was maybe.

What was she getting herself into?

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The snow was relentless, even now in spring, falling heavily from the saturated clouds above. The grey beta moved slowly, trailing along through shoulder-high drifts. This was one of the days that responsibility seemed almost too much to bare, the wind cutting at his face as he pushed into the strong gusts. Huxleyi was patrolling dutifully, as the rushing snows provided easy cover for anyone trying to slip within the territory unseen. He didn't expect to find such nefarious characters, but it was important to consider even the worst and most unlikely possibilities. Ears pinned tightly against his head he hunched his shoulder forwards as he broke out of the deeper snow, coming to an area where he could walk more freely, the drifts blown high around him. The weather here was severe, and posed great danger to even the healthiest of wolves.

He was alone today, Isna choosing to remain at the dens due to the blowing winds. While she had regained flight, the kittiwake did not want to push herself by attempting to scout with her new friend in harsh conditions. Recovery was of the utmost importance. Huxleyi realized though, that he did miss the birds company. Strange that he had formed such a friendship with an avian. Trekking along further along the edge of the forest he soon caught a sound, a cry rising on the winds. Whoever had given the howl was clearly distraught, and seemed to be in need of assistance. shaking his body roughly, Huxleyi steadied himself. It was cold, and he was irritated at the weather, but he would need to be alert and objective. Bounding forwards he rushed through the snows as best he could, and soon he caught sight of the stranded female through the blinding snowfall.

Slowing his pace he approached directly, ears now erect, his tail curled over his back in a quick display. "Hello? Are you alright there? What is your name?" He asked, first showing concern for the frozen wolfess. She seemed well enough, despite her sobbing. Was she really that afraid of the storms? Perhaps she had been alone for some time, or was unused to such violent weather. Huxleyi tried not to judge, though couldn't help but wonder at the lack of experience the she-wolf seemed to have. "Come, lets move into those thicker trees, they'll offer some cover."[/color] This was an order. Although the female was not part of the pack, she was trespassing and if she wanted to remain in the lands of Airila she would listen or leave.

Giving a solid jerk of his head, he motioned to a tightly clustered stand of trees which would offer shelter from the wind, their bare branches however, offered little against the falling snow. He moved to the trees and stood within the grouping, their broad trunks shielding him from the sharp gusts. He waited there for the female to join him, and to offer some explanation of herself and her being there.

Words: 513
Muse: Good =)
Notes: The comment about the Beta at the end of this post drew me in. xD

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Opheilia managed to stifle her crying for a few moments as she looked around. Maybe someone was nearby, and she didn't want anyone to know that she was like this. The weather, being lost, it was all just too much for her right now. Just too much. She began to feel more nervous than scared, and she thought that she saw another wolf through the heavy snow. Who would be out here right now? The weather was too harsh for hunting. It was too harsh for anything, really.

She looked up as the wolf spoke to her. She looked up and tried to stay quiet as he talked. "I- I'm Opheilia. I'm a little...... lost. She paused for a moment. "I'm not quite used to this part of the area. She added. She hoped that the wolf wasn't mad at her if he was part of the pack she wished to join. She didn't want to make a bad first impression, especially if this wolf was of a high rank. Thoughts swirling through her head, the she-wolf obeyed as she was told to head towards the thicker trees.

As she reached the denser area of trees, Opheilia sat down and tried to take in the situation. She was in a snowstorm. She was definitely lost. This wolf had found her and was asking if she was okay. She took a deep breath. "I apologize for trespassing on pack land." She began nervously. "I- I wanted to join the pack that owns this land, but I had no idea that the weather would be so severe. I just didn't want to turn back, I don't think I'll be able to face my family again." She looked down at the ground. She was either saved, or stuck between a rock and a really hard place.

Words: 321
Muse: Fair. I guess.
Notes: Dang, Opheilia is a mess right now. xD

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The rather disheveled female introduced herself as Ophelia, and she soon after stuttered out her reasoning for wandering through the forest. It was quite understandable in Huxleyi's opinion, as the blasting wind and frigid air could disorient anyone unfamiliar to the area. She showed submission accordingly, and seemed genuine in her apology, so Hux relaxed and allowed himself to hunch against the cold. Ears falling back to protect against the rushes of cold air, he fluffed his fur against the chill; the beta hoped dearly this would be the last blizzard of the season.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Ophelia. I'm Huxleyi, the Beta of Airila." He gave a neat bow of his head in greeting, still studying the shivering she-wolf. He felt a bit sorry for her as the mention of her family registered with him. Huxleyi too was without his blood kin, and it did often weigh heavily upon him, though now was not the time to brood on the past. "I can easily forgive your trespasses here, as the unpredictable weather is anything but kind, and dampens all the senses. But tell me, what assets could you bring to Airila?"[/color] His face was serious now, as he truly did wonder at the skills such a lost female could possess. It was one thing to admit being lost, but Huxleyi had both heard and seen her crying. This suggested to him instability, and perhaps how easily the she-wolf would cave under stress, and give up in the absence of success. Perhaps this was extreme, but Airila had grown large, and there was no longer desperation to add numbers to the pack. The Beta had to be sure that Ophelia would be helpful to the pack, and no a burden. He did not want Toiro to worry that Huxleyi could not judge suitable candidates for entry into the pack, but he also did not want to be overly harsh. If it was one thing Huxleyi really did believe in, it was giving the willing a chance. Huxleyi was not the type to turn a wolf away, regardless of gender, for a bit of crying. True, he erred on the side of caution, but that didn't mean he blankly assumed that Ophelia was useless. In truth she could turn out be a wonderful asset to Airila, and was just having a bad day.

Words: 394
Muse: Meh.
Notes: Hux is difficult this evening!

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Opheilia nodded as she was told that her trespassing apology was accepted, and that the foul weather was not what anyone had been wanting. She was quite relived that the wolf before her wasn't tearing her to shreds. She nodded as he spoke, listening intently. She was beginning to plan on what she would do if she wasn't accepted. She'd make the long, exhausting trek back to her home. Her parents probably wouldn't let her live with them any longer, but maybe her brothers would be gracious enough to try to persuade them. Or maybe they'd just come to live with her. Either way, she didn't care, as long as some company was provided.

Then she was asked what she would bring to the pack. This is what she had been nervous about. She didn't want to sound to overconfident, cocky, or anything like that. "I- I would be able to hunt for your pack." She began. "I grew up as the oldest of my siblings, so I often did all the hunting. I have grown quite fond of it." She hoped she had worded things correctly. "It was much warmer where I come from, so I admit, hunting in this weather might not become my specialty, but when it gets warmer, I would try my best to hunt. If you were to accept me." She added quickly at the end. She didn't want it to sound like she knew she was going to be accepted into the pack on matter what. She wanted to sound like she had doubts.

She tried to remain calm during the silence after she had spoken. It was tense- the silence. She didn't know if she should say anything more. Since the cold was beginning to get to her, she just shivered. She didn't wish to cause any trouble.

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Huxleyi listened as the female gave her reply, explaining her penchant for hunting. It was no doubt that they could use more dedicated hunters. Cherie and Dimitri would be worked to the bone if they alone had to provide for the entire pack. However, the uncertainty with which the female spoke made Huxleyi hesitate, though he had no qualms about letting this female join the pack, he wasn't sure if she should be promoted to hunter directly. He stood for a moment, his gaze serious as he studied the she-wolf. "Well Ophelia, I have no doubts you will be welcomed here. I would be happy to accept you into the pack."[/color] He gave a soft smile at the wolfess as a brisk gust of wind shot past them, sending a shiver through his body.

"Spring is on the way, and at this time hunting will become much more easy, however that does not mean we won't be needing more hunters. Your seeming lack of confidence worries me a bit, however we are in need of able-bodied members. Report to the wolves called Cherie and Dimitri and work with them, as a hunter yourself. If you lack the honed skills now as a huntress, those two will help you develope them."

Huxleyi was perhaps taking a chance with this she-wolf, but she seemed to have come a very long way to find Airila. Huxleyi had been given his own position by Toiro on the basis that Huxleyi had ensured the alpha that he was suited for the position. Huxleyi would pay it forwards now, and allow this female a chance to show him that she was capable. She had survived this storm, and the long journey here, who was to say she wouldn't excel at hunting within Shyia?

Words: 301
Muse: OK
Notes: Ophelia is now part of Airila, and a Hunter. Welcome! =)

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Opheilia shivered as a chilling wind blew past. She saw Huxleyi shiver as well, so she didn't feel as self-conscious as before. She listened as he explained that he almost knew that she would be welcomed into Airila. He then welcomed her into the pack. She had made it. She was a part of Airlia. All of this work had paid off. She couldn't help but smile when he smiled. She was glad that this had worked.

"Thank you, I won't let you down." She said gratefully. She continued to listen intently as Huxleyi told her that she should look for two wolves named Cherie and Dimitri. She was to work with them as a hunter. She wasn't going to have to stat off as a subordinate! She had to stifle her smile as she heard the words. "I'll hunt at my best and prove that you've made the right decision." She added. She had to think out how she was going to say that, because she didn't want to sound too full f herself. She needed to stay calm, but all the relief and excitement was making it a bit hard for her to handle.

She nodded as the Beta finished speaking. She knew that once this foul weather let up, she'd get right to hunting. But all she really wanted right now was something warm. Or somewhere warm to sleep. She couldn't stand this weather.

At that moment, Opheilia began to wonder if what she had said before was going to affect anything. She certainly lacked confidence when she was talking. She didn't know if this wolf was letting her in just for a test run. He seemed kind enough when he said that if she didn't have the skills to hunt, she'd learn them from the two wolves she was to report to. A wave of worry entered her as she wondered if this was all going to end very soon.