Post by Curiosity on Jan 9, 2010 20:10:52 GMT -5
Characters Involved:
Haze, male wolf (Lazuli)
Tariro, male wolf (Viridian)
=== Two-River Fork ===
Hard times have fallen on the Lazuli. Ever since the death of their founding alpha, things have not seemed to be boding well for the close-knit pack. The move to the south, while protecting them from further attack, has not been without its share of unfortunate events as well. And while Haze feels somewhat guiltily responsible, however unfounded the feelings may be, as the new alpha, he has not been exempt from hardships himself. His pups, his pride and joy, have all been lost -- some to sickness, others having wandered off never to be found again. This alone is enough to cause the Lazuli alpha to seek solace beyond his new pack's borders, searching for answers. The brindle-furred wolf is only just past the prime of his life, but already he is feeling weary. It is with these thoughts that Haze has traveled in search of his former home's inhabitants; finding the valley mostly deserted, he nonetheless pursued the lingering scents he found there until they led him towards the crux of the two rivers. Tired from a day full of walking, he pauses by the riverside, lifting his muzzle in a soulful howl in the hopes that it will not fall on deaf ears.
At the Two-River Fork, Haze howls.
He has been searching for months and nothing is all that's greeted him this day. The forest has remained quiet and of all things was starting to ware on the white wolf. When he left Viridian with his brother, the chances of finding others was grim, this he knew, but to find what he has was most saddening indeed. Compainions lie asleep leaveing him to fend for them all; a task he would gladly perform with his life if need be. As the warm summer air beats down it is the river fork that draws Tariro to it; that, and a howl that takes him by sudden surprise. Pausing in his steps, he listens closely, a certain familiarity to the call draws in forth though not without caution.
When his howl tapers off to nothingness once more, the Viridian-born male lowers his muzzle to the creek bed, tongue lapping at the water's surface to soothe his parched throat. Sniffing at the ground nearby, he's able to catch the faded scents of a couple of wolves - while they smell faintly of home, he hopes he hasn't just missed them...the idea of walking even more today is tiring in and of itself. Settling back on his haunches, Haze rests his worn-out paws on the cool, damp earth, waiting to see if his call will be answered.
The river was the main reason that brought him here; its what kept all of them here, but for one of the possible unknown to come venturing forth... Tariro stopped at the joining of the rivers; the fork itself, a tree and shrubbery the only thing blocking a clear view. The wolf across the river was one of curiosity; his scent a reminder of his mother however, it was mixed with one he knew not at all. "Who are you?" A question whose answer he had to know.
Haze's eyes had closed by the time the other wolf had drawn near enough to address him, though the voice quickly results in the reopening of the amber-hued orbs. Slowly turning his head to look back over his shoulder at the unfamiliar male, not worried about the potential risk of harm to himself - either because he's confident enough that this other wolf means him no ill-will, or because he's simply unconcerned about it - Haze offers a weak smile before he responds. "Haze, alpha of Lazuli, child of Viridian. And you?" Even before the answer comes, a twitch of his nose gives him a vague idea of who this other wolf is. "You smell of my family."
Tariro is drawn back by the name given to him. Of course he hardly knew it, however, his mother never let it slip by unrecognized either. Taking a step back from his cover, the white wolf turns to reveal himself to the other. "Tariro, also a child of Viridian, or least whats left of it." He speaks with a certain sadness and yet hope in his voice. Hearing him speak of smelling like family, he does not object to such assumptions; everyone in Viridian was related in some manner. "I should say the same of you..."
As the white wolf reveals himself fully from his cover, Haze finally raises onto all fours once again so that he may turn and face this other wolf from his mountain home, though he soon settles back down once more - not only to put the other at ease, but also simply to rest his paws. At Tariro's choice of words, the brindled wolf nods his head in a slow, understanding gesture. "Ah. That would explain why the valley wolves are not where I last left them," he replies with a little chuckle at his attempt at humor. "I am one of Silver's sons, and as she was the mother of Viridian, I can imagine that we are likely related." Another sniff, and Haze recalls the last visit he made to Viridian, several moons ago when his pups were still young. "Is Cottonpaws still alpha?" If so, it's likely that this one is one of his sister's brood.
To be as ease was a gift, Tariro was never much of a worrier or least not in an outward appearance that is. Allowing the other to settle once more he watches while all the while moving up to the rivers edge and stopping at a log made bridge. Raising a brow to the said attempt of humor he smirks briefly. "Many are still there.." He looks down at the mention of Silver, his grandmother. "Yes, she is still alpha, if one can still consider herself as such." He has a great respect for Cottonpaws, though hard to tell from his tone, he also condemns her for whats happened to the pack. "However, I am shamed to say that the pack has near fallen under her leadership."
Haze's ears slick back at his newfound nephew's delivered sentence about Cottonpaws' rule, not relieved in the slightest by the knowledge that his sister has done no better leading her own pack than he has done with his. "Then perhaps I have more in common with my sister than I previously thought," the older male replies, tail held low in shame. "The Lazuli are not faring much better under my own lead. In fact..." he pauses here for a brief moment, considering before he finally continues, "it is one of the reasons why I have gone in search of my old family." Rather than intentionally leaving off at a particularly vague conversation point, the alpha pushes further into the subject, perhaps emboldened by having finally found the Viridian brethren he had been seeking for some time now. "I have come with a proposition, son of my blood. I left Viridian when I first came of age to join my mate in her family's pack, but now I seek to return home once again -- and, perhaps, unite the packs as one in doing so." His piece spoken, Haze falls silent once more, awaiting Tariro's response to the idea.
A generation of failed leadership; it was a sad thing to bare witness though Tariro was not about to let it control the fate of those still will to give it a chance. Learning of his uncles own failure he frowns. Before he is given the chance to reflect on Haze's situation and desire to seek out family his ears flick back then forward. He never knew of why his uncle had left the pack, it was never an issue, not for him but to hear now of what he speaks, the offer that he gives. Nothing is spoken for a moments time as he gives thought looking away and across to those he had brought and acquired. "What you speak of brings alot to consider." Tari' tells him. "What is it that you hope to achieve by such a union?" He could think of a few things but he wanted to her what his uncle had to say.
The white wolf's inquiry is quite relevant, perhaps one which he hasn't consciously considered the answers to yet. Even so, Haze takes a moment to think over this question fully before he finally offers a definitive response. "To unify both halves of my family. It is a selfish desire, yes, but it is the truth. I love my mate dearly, but I have never felt truly at home among her family in the Lazuli. But then again, I could say the same of my puphood-home in Viridian, which is why I left in the first place. Perhaps I am merely destined to be an outsider -- it might explain why I do not feel adequate as alpha." There, he finally admitted it. And to a wolf he's only known for a handful of moments now, even if it is his nephew. Perhaps Haze is merely so desperate at this point that he'll do anything to alleviate his inner anxiety. "Even so, perhaps I will feel at home when my heart and mind are no longer split in two between the pack of my family and the pack of my love. And beyond that selfish request, I feel that my pack -- and perhaps yours as well -- would fare better under a new alpha." The peppered wolf glances off towards the south, his mind briefly lost to thoughts and memories of the Lazuli and his family. "Tradition dictates that this role would go to one of my own pups...but Luna has chosen to take them from me." His gaze returns to Tariro. "So you can see my predicament, and perhaps understand the reasons why I have come to Viridian with this proposal."
Those who remained as the remnants of the Viridian knew nothing of the pack Haze currently resides from. Those who could truely say they knew anything are now dead; something that brings pause into Tariro's decision on wheather to consider his uncle's proposition. Although his desire to revive his own pack fell high his desire to keep them safe was greater. Turning back to his uncle one thing is realized; those who followed him, includeing his own brother, had nothing to lose other than each other - their family. With that in mind, it is that very notion that brings his Uncle here. "It is not selfish at all." He speaks. "Ones desire to retain their family is often what keeps them going." It is that very desire that has brought Tariro here today. "I want nothing more than to reunite our family. Much like you, I have left my home in search of what could be. The thought of combining both sides of one family is something I would not have considered had it not been brought to me." Since he was born, Tariro has thought Viridian and Lazuli too different to co-exist side by side but with what he's heard today, it would seem they are not so different afterall. "Are you proposing that one of us take up their stead as alpha?"
"Thank you for the kind reassurances, Tariro. I can tell we are of the same blood, nephew -- we seem to have similar hopes for our futures. Perhaps we can find them, together," Haze gently suggests, a genuine smile appearing on his muzzle. Indeed, perhaps they are not so different, after all. At the other male's question, the Lazuli alpha pauses again, brow furrowing slightly as he ponders this new inquiry. "I suppose, as I have no children of my own, now, and I have no interest in continuing my role as alpha." Even so, this isn't just about him -- especially being a Lazuli outsider. "However, should the new alpha not be opposed to the idea, I would move that one of Lazuli's blood have a rank alongside Viridian's own, as a symbol of the bonding of our packs. My mate's own nephew, Motega, the son of Lazuli's betas, holds promise as a beta himself, perhaps."
Only a simple nod can be given to his uncle. Tariro was a child of hope and he believed in such things more than any. It has brought him this far and allowed him to gain so much. "We all have promise, dear uncle and I understand your reason for not wanting to continue such a role. However, if you are suggesting that one of the Viridian become an Alpha, it would mean to fall upon either myself or my brother Shag." Much like Lazuli tradition, Viridian's wasn't much different; which basicly meant Tariro and Shag would leader after their mother. Furrowing a brow at the mention of Motega he hrms. "I would not hold it against, Motega, to take a role along side Viridian if that is what he chooses. To meet him would provide a better inclination however and a better understanding of him if we are to work at ones side."
Haze dips his head respectfully to Tariro upon learning of his potential role. "Very well then. Either, or both, of you would likely help to breathe new life into the allied pack." Normally the brindle-furred wolf would be hesitant to pass over leadership to a near-stranger, even a relative, but desperate times call for desperate measures, and the alpha does not wish to grow old before his time. Let the younger generation patch together what the older ones could not. As for meeting Motega... "Of course. I would not propose that any of this should happen overnight. We will both need time to gather the remnants of our packs before bringing them together, and no doubt even more time to establish the new nipping order of things, not just with the higher ranks. But, if you are agreeable to my proposal as a whole..." Haze trails off, allowing Tariro to interpret the rest on his own.
Tariro offers a smile. "If we are to consider this, such a decision should not be had to make." He tells Haze. "If I am not mistaken and my brother has not changed his mind; Shag has shown no desire to take on a role higher than Beta. It is what he was working on before I asked him to join me here in the forest." This said before his uncle can move on, he nods. "I would gladly take up what he does not, if I am, trusted enough to do that is." He shall let those who would form this pack be the ones to decide. "In good time, this I expected. Time has brought us this far, I'm sure it will not lead us astray even now." After a few moments of silence now Tari' wonders one thing, "What will become of you and the others when all this is done?"
Haze smiles wanly at Tariro's last question, his amber gaze locked on the other's rust-flecked eyes. "I can only speak for myself, but I plan to stay, especially if both of my families are rejoined as a whole. But my hope is that the others will stay as well -- or at least more remain than depart." He is sure that some may choose to strike out on their own, as wolves sometimes do, but even so, he imagines that there will still be enough supporters to bolster the unified pack - and perhaps make it stronger as a whole than either pack was on its own. "Now that I have found you, I must return again to my pack to let them know of our ambitions. Should you need to summon me, I am only a howl away." The older male finally raises back up onto all fours again, stretching out his limbs before the coming walk home.
Tariro nods, "Though we have never really had the chance to get to know one another, I look forward to seeing you around more." Another bob of his head follows. "I bid you farewell, uncle. I hope your return home is a safe one and that we meet again soon." He's got a lot to think about now; and he needs to speak with his brother. To bring two packs together; this could be a blessing or a complete disaster, might as well let time work this one out.
Haze, male wolf (Lazuli)
Tariro, male wolf (Viridian)
=== Two-River Fork ===
Hard times have fallen on the Lazuli. Ever since the death of their founding alpha, things have not seemed to be boding well for the close-knit pack. The move to the south, while protecting them from further attack, has not been without its share of unfortunate events as well. And while Haze feels somewhat guiltily responsible, however unfounded the feelings may be, as the new alpha, he has not been exempt from hardships himself. His pups, his pride and joy, have all been lost -- some to sickness, others having wandered off never to be found again. This alone is enough to cause the Lazuli alpha to seek solace beyond his new pack's borders, searching for answers. The brindle-furred wolf is only just past the prime of his life, but already he is feeling weary. It is with these thoughts that Haze has traveled in search of his former home's inhabitants; finding the valley mostly deserted, he nonetheless pursued the lingering scents he found there until they led him towards the crux of the two rivers. Tired from a day full of walking, he pauses by the riverside, lifting his muzzle in a soulful howl in the hopes that it will not fall on deaf ears.
At the Two-River Fork, Haze howls.
He has been searching for months and nothing is all that's greeted him this day. The forest has remained quiet and of all things was starting to ware on the white wolf. When he left Viridian with his brother, the chances of finding others was grim, this he knew, but to find what he has was most saddening indeed. Compainions lie asleep leaveing him to fend for them all; a task he would gladly perform with his life if need be. As the warm summer air beats down it is the river fork that draws Tariro to it; that, and a howl that takes him by sudden surprise. Pausing in his steps, he listens closely, a certain familiarity to the call draws in forth though not without caution.
When his howl tapers off to nothingness once more, the Viridian-born male lowers his muzzle to the creek bed, tongue lapping at the water's surface to soothe his parched throat. Sniffing at the ground nearby, he's able to catch the faded scents of a couple of wolves - while they smell faintly of home, he hopes he hasn't just missed them...the idea of walking even more today is tiring in and of itself. Settling back on his haunches, Haze rests his worn-out paws on the cool, damp earth, waiting to see if his call will be answered.
The river was the main reason that brought him here; its what kept all of them here, but for one of the possible unknown to come venturing forth... Tariro stopped at the joining of the rivers; the fork itself, a tree and shrubbery the only thing blocking a clear view. The wolf across the river was one of curiosity; his scent a reminder of his mother however, it was mixed with one he knew not at all. "Who are you?" A question whose answer he had to know.
Haze's eyes had closed by the time the other wolf had drawn near enough to address him, though the voice quickly results in the reopening of the amber-hued orbs. Slowly turning his head to look back over his shoulder at the unfamiliar male, not worried about the potential risk of harm to himself - either because he's confident enough that this other wolf means him no ill-will, or because he's simply unconcerned about it - Haze offers a weak smile before he responds. "Haze, alpha of Lazuli, child of Viridian. And you?" Even before the answer comes, a twitch of his nose gives him a vague idea of who this other wolf is. "You smell of my family."
Tariro is drawn back by the name given to him. Of course he hardly knew it, however, his mother never let it slip by unrecognized either. Taking a step back from his cover, the white wolf turns to reveal himself to the other. "Tariro, also a child of Viridian, or least whats left of it." He speaks with a certain sadness and yet hope in his voice. Hearing him speak of smelling like family, he does not object to such assumptions; everyone in Viridian was related in some manner. "I should say the same of you..."
As the white wolf reveals himself fully from his cover, Haze finally raises onto all fours once again so that he may turn and face this other wolf from his mountain home, though he soon settles back down once more - not only to put the other at ease, but also simply to rest his paws. At Tariro's choice of words, the brindled wolf nods his head in a slow, understanding gesture. "Ah. That would explain why the valley wolves are not where I last left them," he replies with a little chuckle at his attempt at humor. "I am one of Silver's sons, and as she was the mother of Viridian, I can imagine that we are likely related." Another sniff, and Haze recalls the last visit he made to Viridian, several moons ago when his pups were still young. "Is Cottonpaws still alpha?" If so, it's likely that this one is one of his sister's brood.
To be as ease was a gift, Tariro was never much of a worrier or least not in an outward appearance that is. Allowing the other to settle once more he watches while all the while moving up to the rivers edge and stopping at a log made bridge. Raising a brow to the said attempt of humor he smirks briefly. "Many are still there.." He looks down at the mention of Silver, his grandmother. "Yes, she is still alpha, if one can still consider herself as such." He has a great respect for Cottonpaws, though hard to tell from his tone, he also condemns her for whats happened to the pack. "However, I am shamed to say that the pack has near fallen under her leadership."
Haze's ears slick back at his newfound nephew's delivered sentence about Cottonpaws' rule, not relieved in the slightest by the knowledge that his sister has done no better leading her own pack than he has done with his. "Then perhaps I have more in common with my sister than I previously thought," the older male replies, tail held low in shame. "The Lazuli are not faring much better under my own lead. In fact..." he pauses here for a brief moment, considering before he finally continues, "it is one of the reasons why I have gone in search of my old family." Rather than intentionally leaving off at a particularly vague conversation point, the alpha pushes further into the subject, perhaps emboldened by having finally found the Viridian brethren he had been seeking for some time now. "I have come with a proposition, son of my blood. I left Viridian when I first came of age to join my mate in her family's pack, but now I seek to return home once again -- and, perhaps, unite the packs as one in doing so." His piece spoken, Haze falls silent once more, awaiting Tariro's response to the idea.
A generation of failed leadership; it was a sad thing to bare witness though Tariro was not about to let it control the fate of those still will to give it a chance. Learning of his uncles own failure he frowns. Before he is given the chance to reflect on Haze's situation and desire to seek out family his ears flick back then forward. He never knew of why his uncle had left the pack, it was never an issue, not for him but to hear now of what he speaks, the offer that he gives. Nothing is spoken for a moments time as he gives thought looking away and across to those he had brought and acquired. "What you speak of brings alot to consider." Tari' tells him. "What is it that you hope to achieve by such a union?" He could think of a few things but he wanted to her what his uncle had to say.
The white wolf's inquiry is quite relevant, perhaps one which he hasn't consciously considered the answers to yet. Even so, Haze takes a moment to think over this question fully before he finally offers a definitive response. "To unify both halves of my family. It is a selfish desire, yes, but it is the truth. I love my mate dearly, but I have never felt truly at home among her family in the Lazuli. But then again, I could say the same of my puphood-home in Viridian, which is why I left in the first place. Perhaps I am merely destined to be an outsider -- it might explain why I do not feel adequate as alpha." There, he finally admitted it. And to a wolf he's only known for a handful of moments now, even if it is his nephew. Perhaps Haze is merely so desperate at this point that he'll do anything to alleviate his inner anxiety. "Even so, perhaps I will feel at home when my heart and mind are no longer split in two between the pack of my family and the pack of my love. And beyond that selfish request, I feel that my pack -- and perhaps yours as well -- would fare better under a new alpha." The peppered wolf glances off towards the south, his mind briefly lost to thoughts and memories of the Lazuli and his family. "Tradition dictates that this role would go to one of my own pups...but Luna has chosen to take them from me." His gaze returns to Tariro. "So you can see my predicament, and perhaps understand the reasons why I have come to Viridian with this proposal."
Those who remained as the remnants of the Viridian knew nothing of the pack Haze currently resides from. Those who could truely say they knew anything are now dead; something that brings pause into Tariro's decision on wheather to consider his uncle's proposition. Although his desire to revive his own pack fell high his desire to keep them safe was greater. Turning back to his uncle one thing is realized; those who followed him, includeing his own brother, had nothing to lose other than each other - their family. With that in mind, it is that very notion that brings his Uncle here. "It is not selfish at all." He speaks. "Ones desire to retain their family is often what keeps them going." It is that very desire that has brought Tariro here today. "I want nothing more than to reunite our family. Much like you, I have left my home in search of what could be. The thought of combining both sides of one family is something I would not have considered had it not been brought to me." Since he was born, Tariro has thought Viridian and Lazuli too different to co-exist side by side but with what he's heard today, it would seem they are not so different afterall. "Are you proposing that one of us take up their stead as alpha?"
"Thank you for the kind reassurances, Tariro. I can tell we are of the same blood, nephew -- we seem to have similar hopes for our futures. Perhaps we can find them, together," Haze gently suggests, a genuine smile appearing on his muzzle. Indeed, perhaps they are not so different, after all. At the other male's question, the Lazuli alpha pauses again, brow furrowing slightly as he ponders this new inquiry. "I suppose, as I have no children of my own, now, and I have no interest in continuing my role as alpha." Even so, this isn't just about him -- especially being a Lazuli outsider. "However, should the new alpha not be opposed to the idea, I would move that one of Lazuli's blood have a rank alongside Viridian's own, as a symbol of the bonding of our packs. My mate's own nephew, Motega, the son of Lazuli's betas, holds promise as a beta himself, perhaps."
Only a simple nod can be given to his uncle. Tariro was a child of hope and he believed in such things more than any. It has brought him this far and allowed him to gain so much. "We all have promise, dear uncle and I understand your reason for not wanting to continue such a role. However, if you are suggesting that one of the Viridian become an Alpha, it would mean to fall upon either myself or my brother Shag." Much like Lazuli tradition, Viridian's wasn't much different; which basicly meant Tariro and Shag would leader after their mother. Furrowing a brow at the mention of Motega he hrms. "I would not hold it against, Motega, to take a role along side Viridian if that is what he chooses. To meet him would provide a better inclination however and a better understanding of him if we are to work at ones side."
Haze dips his head respectfully to Tariro upon learning of his potential role. "Very well then. Either, or both, of you would likely help to breathe new life into the allied pack." Normally the brindle-furred wolf would be hesitant to pass over leadership to a near-stranger, even a relative, but desperate times call for desperate measures, and the alpha does not wish to grow old before his time. Let the younger generation patch together what the older ones could not. As for meeting Motega... "Of course. I would not propose that any of this should happen overnight. We will both need time to gather the remnants of our packs before bringing them together, and no doubt even more time to establish the new nipping order of things, not just with the higher ranks. But, if you are agreeable to my proposal as a whole..." Haze trails off, allowing Tariro to interpret the rest on his own.
Tariro offers a smile. "If we are to consider this, such a decision should not be had to make." He tells Haze. "If I am not mistaken and my brother has not changed his mind; Shag has shown no desire to take on a role higher than Beta. It is what he was working on before I asked him to join me here in the forest." This said before his uncle can move on, he nods. "I would gladly take up what he does not, if I am, trusted enough to do that is." He shall let those who would form this pack be the ones to decide. "In good time, this I expected. Time has brought us this far, I'm sure it will not lead us astray even now." After a few moments of silence now Tari' wonders one thing, "What will become of you and the others when all this is done?"
Haze smiles wanly at Tariro's last question, his amber gaze locked on the other's rust-flecked eyes. "I can only speak for myself, but I plan to stay, especially if both of my families are rejoined as a whole. But my hope is that the others will stay as well -- or at least more remain than depart." He is sure that some may choose to strike out on their own, as wolves sometimes do, but even so, he imagines that there will still be enough supporters to bolster the unified pack - and perhaps make it stronger as a whole than either pack was on its own. "Now that I have found you, I must return again to my pack to let them know of our ambitions. Should you need to summon me, I am only a howl away." The older male finally raises back up onto all fours again, stretching out his limbs before the coming walk home.
Tariro nods, "Though we have never really had the chance to get to know one another, I look forward to seeing you around more." Another bob of his head follows. "I bid you farewell, uncle. I hope your return home is a safe one and that we meet again soon." He's got a lot to think about now; and he needs to speak with his brother. To bring two packs together; this could be a blessing or a complete disaster, might as well let time work this one out.