Treading a New Path [Joining]

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The tall, lanky she-wolf padded carefully in between the trees, yellow-green eyes alert, but not afraid. Kesle felt she should be; pack scent was everywhere, marking these woods as a territory already claimed. But the terrain near the base of the mountains was so familiar, the air so crisp in late autumn. The smoky wolf closed her eyes, and breathed in deeply. The south lands had been beautiful and sunny, but to her mind nothing compared to the red-golds and copper oranges of the northern broadwood forests, the sharp, spicy tang of pine and spruce, and the brisk snap of morning air before a snowstorm. She had been raised in the north. Home...

But of course, it wasn't. Not really. Kesle was also strongly reminded of her borrowed time in these woods with the renewal of this woods' pack scent in her mind. This place, so familiar, was not her homeland.

But it could be, a sneaky part of her mind whispered. Kesle sternly told it to be quiet. But it persisted, niggling at the back of her mind with its sneaky persistence. You wish to join a pack, do you not? And here's a place, a paradise on earth as close as she would ever get, with a pack, a pack that could except her, and... and...

"Or, of course, they couldn't, and chase me out with jaws snapping and fangs bared," Kesle snapped aloud, startling a nearby squirrel and ending her inner arguement. But she continued deeper into the woods, spinning small circles to crane her head back and gaze at the fiery brilliance of the trees. In the next week, she knew, they would each slowly fade to dark red, then brown, and finally fall, leaving the branches bare for a season. Best enjoy them now, before she had to wait an entire year to see it again.
And really, she was hoping that maybe her paws had found a path that would lead somewhere other than solitude...

OOC: Thought maybe I should stop breaking rules and have Kesle join a pack. ^^
Muse: Pretty good.
Edit: Fixed everything. It was really bothering me.

Note from Staff: Remember to bold Kesle's speech. ^^

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The leaves trembled as a breeze carelessly tumbled through the lofty canopy, fiery leaves rustling in the autumn air. Huxleyi had been sniffing around for something to munch on, a hare or grouse, but instead his nares picked up something foreign. The parklands seemed busier than before he had left; rogue wolves seemed to be flocking to the alpine forests of Shyia. The Beta was not complaining though, as more wolves meant stronger borders and better hunts. No one wanted to go the whole winter with an empty belly. Shaking his pelt roughly he tossed his head as he began to wind his way towards the source of the female's smell.

Huxleyi had left Isna to her own birdy business back at the coast. Her higher metabolism meant she needed to eat much more often and she was mostly fond of fish, and didn't care too much for the gamier meat that wolves preferred. His stomach gave a greedy grumble at the thought of food; his appetite had become ravenous after his latest ordeal. Shaking his head and ignoring the slight gnawing of his belly, Huxleyi set off through the trees towards the newcoming wolf. He found her swiftly, standing among the trees which were so familiar and welcoming to him. He gave a low chuff, ears and tail rose customarily as he drew into conversing distance.

"Good afternoon." He greeted, giving a neat dip of his mug. "My name is Huxleyi, the Beta of Airila. What brings you into our territory?" He was all business today, and had gotten straight to the point. Hunger was pulling at him and he really just wanted to locate a meal. Maybe grab Toiro or Spirit to accompany him. Refocusing, he observed the female. She seemed fit, her graphite body healthy with no signs of weakness or disease. He wondered then where she had come from, and whether she would divulge this information. Was she native to the island, or had she wandered in on a careless wave like he had?

Notes: Sorry it took so long to get a reply here! I've been job hunting!
Words: 338
Muse: Pretty ok.

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Kesle jumped about a foot in the air when the wolf materialized out of the trees in front of her. Okay, so he didn't really. But it seemed like one minute no one was around, and the next, she was practically nose-to-nose with a large male.

Kesle stared dumbly, aware somewhere at the back of her mind she was gaping like a beached carp. But it suddenly seemed as if she had something stuck in her throat. What was she doing here? It was foolish, stupid, to believe that a lone wolf could simply prance into a pack's land and demand to be welcomed happily. She souldn't have even come.

She realized suddenly that the wolf was waiting for an answer.

"Ah, uh, uhm..." Kesle grasped frantically for something to say. Each moment the silence lengthened.

"I... uh... I just came to see the trees change. They remind me so much of my home, you see, and- well, not really my home anymore, I don't really have one, but... er... " she trailed off, feeling her ears burn with embarassment. This wasn't how she imagined this to go, not at all."I... I'll just leave now. I didn't mean to intrude."

Kesle made to back away, to turn around and run straight out of the territory with her tail between her legs and her ears hot with shame, but something stopped her, a tantalizing taste of what she could be a part of. Hadn't she come here to try to join a pack? Isn't this what she wanted? Who knew when she would get another chance like this? This place, so perfect... The trees flashed their fiery brilliance around her, as if offering her courage. So close... she was so close... But how could she possibly breach such a subject to this strange wolf?



OOC: Oh my god this is so horribly overdue it's embarassing. Sorry to have kept you waiting.
Muse: Okay

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Huxleyi was amused at the uncertainty in the she wolf before him. She fumbled with her words and seemed like she might run away in a panic due to some wrong she had done him. The beta couldn't see any harm done, or any reason other than her trespassing that would cause hostility, and even that he was willing to look past if her intentions were good. And they seemed to be. To see the trees change? It was indeed a beautiful sight, and there was no where better than the northernmost regions of the continent. Such a violent shift in climate made for an excellent show of fiery reds and gold.

She turned to go, then faltered. It was clear to Hux that she had more to say, or some other business here than just to watch autumn strike itself across the once green forests of Shyia. "Please," He stated, taking a step towards her, his posture lowering to a more neutral stance in case his dominance was frightening. "There's no need to run away. My name is Huxleyi, I'm the Beta here." He smiled gently and waited to see if the female would turn and come back to talk.

"Fall truly is beautiful." He offered in conversation, wondering now where her home might have once been. Was she from the island, or had she come from a far like Huxleyi had himself. He wondered then on his own home, and how the wolves of his past were fairing. He shook it from his mind - he had promised himself a new life here, with no dwelling. Besides, his old acquaintances held no impact, and would never be seen again. Ghosts only haunt you if you let them. He refocused on the task at hand, peering at the she wolf and wondering if she had come to find a new place to call home.

Words: 314
Muse: Meh.
Notes: It's alright, I took forever too! xD

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 "Nice to meet you," Kesle offered hesitantly. "I'm Kesle."  She was grateful for Huxleyi starting the conversation- he seemed to understand how much she was floundering. And for such a high-ranking wolf, he was surprisingly tolerant of her presence. She had expected at least hostility. Kesle felt herself relax a bit. Perhaps... she had a chance after all.

"It is beautiful indeed," she sighed, craning her neck back to see the crests of the trees. "I have travelled a bit, and still nothing compares to the north in autumn." 

It was true. Even the wide open sky of the grasslands hadn't felt like this. The winter sun shone through the trees, setting the edges of everything ablaze in fiery gold while at the same time not driving off the crisp, refreshing chill. "I grew up in the north of Caurus," she explained, still looking at the trees. It was easier to talk this way, not making eye contact. She hoped it didn't come off as rude, but when she faced Huxleyi, she felt her courage die a bit and the foolishness of what she was doing take hold again. Something about pack wolves, the way they carried themselves, prouder, more sure of themselves, made her realise how primitive a loner's ife had been. She had only cared for herself, but these wolves, they had a purpose. A drive. The strength of their pack made them who they were, and she doubted sincerely that this Huxleyi had ever had doubts about his identity. He hadn't stayed up late wondering if he really knew who he was. Her mouth kept going while she was thinking, until suddenly she found herself saying, "I came back north for the winter because I was looking to join a-"

she halted midscentence, heart plunging to her paw pads. Had she really just blurted it right out like that? Just, "whelp, here's why I'm here, wandering uninvited in your territory, looking to make a nuisance of myself and bother you with my silly fantasies so there you go. You can chase me out now."

She stared at Huxleyi, trying to force panic back down her throat. Maybe he wouldn't guess. Maybe she could just keep small talking and then run out of this and forget the whole thing and the colossal mess she felt she was making. Maybe...



OOC: finished the darn thing finally. Sorry to keep you waiting.
Muse: Good, surprisingly!  

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Huxleyi smiled as she spoke of travel, and northern autumns. He agreed that this land was truly beautiful, though he had little for comparison as he had settled with Airila as soon as he had landed here. Perhaps one day he would travel more of the continent, but not in any future he could foresee. Tail flicking leisurely behind him, sweeping just above his ankles, he was truly neutrally relaxed now. Why be overbearing? Kesle meant no harm, and even if she did the grey female didn't seem like one for confrontation; more likely to run away.

The look of panic that seemed to wave across Kesle and then dive down to hide in her belly caused a small chuckle to bubble from the Beta. So she wanted to join a pack. This pack. He smiled at her, eyes twinkling with joy. Huxleyi truly loved Airila and already knew he would accept Kesle here. Her attitude was wonderful and she seemed to have a carefree spirit which belonged in the wintery trees of Shyia.

"So you want to join Shyia, eh?" He suddenly recalled how hungry he was, his stomach giving a sharp jab of protest to his current activity. An idea struck him. "Airila needs wolves of skill, and I would want to know that you are a wolf who can work in a team. A pack is a family, a collection of individuals who share a bond of kinship." Turning slightly to face the trees to his left he motioned to them. "Let's hunt together, I'm sure we can work to chase a rabbit or two down." While hunting rabbits was usually a solo excursion, it was child's play for two wolves. One to chase the other to ambush. He let a moment pass to decide which roll he wanted to play. He would ambush, that way he would test to see if she could coordinate with his position and trust him to get the job done.

"Right! This way. I'll lay just within these bushes. Go find us some lunch and chase it this way." Command came easy to him, though he paused again, wondering if Kesle would join him or leave, not wanting to succumb to his silly test. In truth it wasn't a test at all, he was just hungry and he rather enjoyed Kesle. Most new additions wandering off into Airila and Huxleyi didn't get to enjoy any interaction with them unless chance happened him upon them. This way he would get a sense of the female, and perhaps form a friendship right off the get-go.

Words: 432
Muse: GOOD.
Notes: I'm so sorry this took so long. I was on vacation for the holidays. I know I haven't made any other new wolves do any sorts of joining tasks, but I REALLY like the way you play Kesle, it's very refreshing. =D

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"So you want to join Shyia, eh?"
Kesle nearly collapsed from weak-kneed relief when Huxleyi chuckled, relieving the knot of fear that had grown in her belly. She wasn't sure what she had expected- but it wasn't the easyness with which the beta had dealt with her awkwardness or the patient, accepting air about him. 

"Airila needs wolves of skill, and I would want to know that you are a wolf who can work in a team. A pack is a family, a collection of individuals who share a bond of kinship."

Kelse pricked her ears, curious. Where was he going with this?

"Let's hunt together, I'm sure we can work to chase a rabbit or two down." 

 Ah. This was a test- Huxleyi wished for her to demonstrate the cooperation and group skills needed for pack wolves. Kelse was instantly nervous- it had been some time since she had hunted with another wolf- but at the same time, she could feel the eagerness to partake in the challenge, a desire to prove herself to this pack wolf.

"Right!" Huxleyi continued. "This way. I'll lay just within these bushes. Go find us some lunch and chase it this way."

Kelse nodded, realizing with surprise that while she'd been thinking, a small smile had curled over her muzzle. She slipped off between the trees to the left of the Arila beta, keeping low to the ground and assuming a somewhat ungainly slink.

 The ground foliage was bare and coloured tones of gray and brown- Kelse breathed a secret thanks to Lupa that she was born gifted with a grey coat and not one of white or bright fox-red or something. She moved quietly over the leaf-mould, ears and eyes peeled.

There.

A flicker, just enough of a twitch of a nose for Kelse's eyes to focus on the ouline of a starch-grey hare, pressed against the ground. Kelse breathed as quietly as possible through parted jaws, creeping closer, circling from behind. It was agonizing, moving so slowly- she wanted to leap out immediately, chase, stretch her complaining muscles- but she knew the minute she did, it would be over. The rabbit would be gone, and she would be too far behind it- she wouldn't have the precious inches of reach she needed to herd it towards Huxleyi. It was worth it to wait, even though the slowness was excruciating.

Closer... closer... Her heart was hammering in her chest- she couldn't remember the last time hunting rabbits had been so nervewracking. Finally, she was close enough. The hunter's circle, her father used to call it- just far enough to give the prey time to run ahead but close enough to control where it goes.

Now! With a snarl, Kesle darted out behind the wrabbit, hanging back an instant to let it go, before galloping after it, teasing, herding, nipping at its heels and chasing it in the direction she knew Huxleyi was waiting.

With a bark to signal the beta she was coming, Kesle was out of the stand of trees, the rabbit bobbing in front of her- and straight into Huxleyi's bushes.



Words: 545
OOC: Augghhh, you say nice things and then I up and dissapear! ><
This is long overdue, but here it is.
Muse: pretty good!

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Huxleyi nodded approvingly as Kesle headed off into the trees, the female dropping into hunt-mode. Taking his own position he crouched within the small thicket he had indicated. It took only a few moments before he heard a snarl in the distance, and the sudden thumping foot steps of a hare. The chase had begun! Ears twitching to catch all the sounds of the ongoing pursuit, Huxleyi let his hind legs coil beneath his hips. He would only have a moment to grab the rabbit once it was near him. Eyes peering through the thin branches he suddenly caught a glimpse of movement, then a sharp bark broke the otherwise peaceful forest. A hare came darting from the trees, Kesle herding the hopeless creature towards him. With one swift movement Huxleyi lunged from the bushes, powerful jaws wrapping around the lean rabbits body.

With a single crunch Huxleyi snapped the life from the hare. Pulling his body entirely from the thicket he dropped the rabbit to the ground and shook his coat roughly. "Well done Kesle." He motioned down to the rabbit, "This is all yours, and welcome to Airila." He smiled at the female and gave an approving nod. "The pack stays mostly within the forest, but the beach along the north shore is lovely, as is the view from the higher slopes of the mountains. You're welcome to go anywhere you wish." Huxleyi took a few strides northwards - he wanted to go check in on Isna. He sometimes worried about the little bird as she had no one of her species to be with and worried that she'd get lonely, or even picked on by other, larger birds.

"I'm heading to the beach now, and you're welcome to come with. But when you have the chance you should meet up with Toiro, our Alpha." With that he headed off into the trees, tail waving gently behind him in contentment. He really had found a lovely place to call home, and he hoped Kesle would enjoy Airila as much as he did.

Words: 434
Muse: Ok.
Notes: SO SORRY FOR THE DELAY. I've been studying for a huge four hour exam that is on Thursday!

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Kesle stayed still for a minute, watcing the retreating hind quarters of Huxleyi. The world went from throttling along at the speed of light to stopped, still, and quiet. She couldn't believe that everything had changed so suddenly. Here she stood, in the middle of a forest she barely knew- but one that was already more a home than she'd had for a long time. She was a part of it now. The Arila pack's forest. Arila. Kesle rolled the word about in her head, testing it out before forming it with her jaws. Arila, Arila, Arila. She liked the sound of it.

Suddenly Kesle realized that Huxleyi was almost out of sight- it wouldn't be too long before he dissapeared into the trees and she assumed, toward the beach. He had advised her to find Arila's Alpha, a wolf called Toiro, but... Kesle hesitated. She suddenly was gripped with a desire to pelt after the Arila beta, as fast as she could. The wolf with the kindly smile who hadn't chased her out- and had caught a rabbit with her for stars' sakes- she couldn't remember a time another lone wolf had offered to hunt with her, let alone let her have the whole thing and walk off like it was nothing. And maybe it was nothing, Kesle considered. This pack was already different from her family pack- her family had never been cruel or savage, but they were small in number and controlled a smaller territory with less game. Maybe there was a lot Kesle really didn't know.

But there was one wolf she felt she could ask. And if she didn't hurry, he'd be out of sight.

Kesle scooped up the rabbit in her jaws- she didn't want to waste, and besides, the beta deserved some too- and raced after him.

"Hufflee! Waei! (Huxleyi! Wait!)"


OOC: I thought we could end it here and start up another thread off of this at the beach, if you'd like!
Muse: On the mend after a week of too much homework. x.x