Post by Curiosity on Aug 14, 2011 16:21:17 GMT -5
Characters Involved:
Malia, female wolf
Inteus, male wolf
=== Tranquil Pond ===
It has been several weeks since Malia had last seen her companion, and perhaps the she-wolf might go so far as to admit that she'd missed the male in their time apart -- /if/ she were asked, that is, and it's somewhat doubtful that Inteus would bother to ask such a trivial thing in the first place. Regardless, that's not to say she won't be happy to see him again, particularly with so much on her mind that needs to be discussed, and her earnestly longing howl manages to convey this message as she lifts her maw to the sky.
Inteus' quest has not gone so well as he might have hoped, and perhaps unsurprisingly, it does not take the male wolf long to respond to Malia's call. He promised he would, and as he comes into sight, he is trotting along at a fair pace. Of course, when he spots Malia, he slows a little, but even now he is not walking as though simply on a leisurely stroll. He keeps his head and tail held high, but if Malia is finally calling to him, then he is willing to admit defeat in this little contest, since the southern wolf pack has been so preoccupied with their missing pup and dying beta that he was unable to bend their ears much at all.
Malia is settled by the same pond where the pair had parted so long ago to take their separate paths, and this combined with her pale coat of fur makes her fairly easy to spot from some distance away. She's far from claiming victory herself, but that's part of the reason why she's called her partner back to her side again -- neither of them can do this alone. Especially after one of her most recent decisions. Rising to all fours as soon as she sees Inteus approaching, she slinks up closer to the male to murmur with the slightest twinge of apprehension: "Inteus...I've done something."
It is clear from the male wolf's expression that he is taken off guard by Malia's unusual behaviour. He adamantly refuses to give into his automatic fears, though. He steps close enough to her to rub his cheek alongside hers, almost casually, before speaking. "And you're going to make me beg nicely for you to tell me what it is, is that it?" Inteus jokes as he responds, only to hide the fact that her apprehension has automatically inspired the same in him.
Malia seems to appreciate the offered display of reassuring affection, although she hardly shows any visible signs to this effect. The she-wolf merely glances away towards the north, then back to the male before her once more, answering his question with a little shake of the head. "No..." she trails off briefly, before finally explaining her predicament further. "An eagle came to me, while I was staying with the pack to the north. He told me that if I would do something for him, he would help me - us - in return...so I did." Well, that's all good news, right? Apparently not entirely, by how the she-wolf continues to anxiously shift her weight from paw to paw. "But...I think we need more help," Malia finishes somewhat vaguely, seeming to have left out a good chunk of information relating the two statements.
That can't be bad. At the very least, it cannot be as bad as what Inteus was imagining, since his handful of insecurities, whether he acknowledges them or not, revolve around his lifelong companion, and he was imagining that their takeover of this territory was going to be much bloodier than they'd intended when he had to tear out the throat of the alpha of these parts. Since that isn't the case, Inteus manages to keep carrying his grin easily. Whatever trouble she has encountered, they can either work through them, or else just move on before they're any more invested. "What sort of help do you think we need, Malia?" Because with his recent relief, he'd do anything now to make sure she's happy, including finding whatever she thinks she needs. Whatever she thinks they need.
Well...it may still end up being bloody. Which is why Malia is so concerned about finding backup, so that the blood spilled will be less of their own, and more of their opposition's. "More wolves," she answers simply, turning her head to meet and hold his gaze. "Support. What I did..." Malia trails off again, breaking the eye contact to glance northwards once again. "Well...let's just say that, as unlikely as it is, if I'm ever found out...the pack I've joined will stop at nothing to destroy me." If Inteus has found his companion's behavior atypical thus far, her next words at least help to restore the she-wolf's usual reputation: "So if I'm at a risk of death regardless...I'd at least like to make sure I'm well prepared for the fight." And even if she's not discovered, having extra backup for their original ultimate goal is hardly a bad thing either.
Well, she certainly has been getting up to no good while they've been apart, hasn't she? With his normal confidence, Inteus licks her cheek before responding, in a voice too soft, too seductive, for the actual message, he says, "You know I'd tear their bones from their bodies, every one of them, before I let any of them touch you." How cute. He's flirting. "But if you want more wolves, ones loyal to us, to feel safe, then I will find them for you. I must know, though, Malia, because I cannot imagine what you could do to make anyone so angry with such a stunning beauty." Actually, he can imagine dozens of things, but he wants to know which particular thing she has done that he will be defending, more for curiosity's sake than anything else.
"Oh, Inteus," Malia croons in response to his rather violent words, "you always know just what to say to make me feel better." Hardly what most would consider a romantic gesture, but it seems to work for this particular pair. Malia even manages a little smile, which is the most cheerfulness she's shown in their reunion thus far, though it fades again at his last request. "He wanted one of their pups. So...I brought him one." She had certainly wondered why the eagle hadn't just opted to go hunting after some sort of easier prey, but he had been very specific in his request. "He' been watching, and he offered to help in exchange...be our eye in the sky," the pale-furred female explains, trying to justify her actions as best she can to her partner in crime. Potentially compromising her position in the pack in exchange for some extra help? Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time...
If Inteus knows his mate well, she never would have stolen a pup out from under the eyes of a careful watcher, not in their current circumstances of hoping to make this pack bow to them, so he does not seem concerned by what she says. Rather, looking forward, he says, "Perhaps this helper of yours might be able to direct us to where we might find some more capable support, then." An eagle could be a worthy ally, sure, but he'd sooner cast in his lot with something that has claws and teeth instead of a beak and talons.
Malia nods in agreement with her companion's response, at least contented somewhat by the fact that he hasn't attempted to hold this questionably poor judgement against her. Yet. "Perhaps so. I will try to find him, and others as well." She only hopes she'll actually be able to find the bird in question -- as strong as her canine sense of smell is, she can't easily track something that rarely touches the ground, and her threats may have only made him all the more scarce. "But...can I presume by your own lack of good news that you haven't fared much better to the south?" Her inquiry, though genuine, still comes off as something of a jab at Inteus's progress nonetheless, before she softens the blow somewhat with a sweetly-murmured suggestion: "Should we pair up again for the time being? I do so think we work better /together/, after all..." That, and she'd prefer having some backup around in the meantime before they find additional support.
"I will have you know," Inteus begins, "that I was mere days from having the whole pack worship me." He's lying, and he doesn't make any effort to hide it. "But I could never leave you to get through these trials alone. I will stay with you and help you to search, and we will refocus our efforts here." Perhaps the idea had already occurred to him, or perhaps it was only Malia's suggestion that put it in his mind, but he does not allow it to seem like he is giving into her because he has had no luck. That would be too much.
Malia's muzzle spreads into a knowing smirk at that obvious white lie, though she doesn't go so far as to call him out on it. She's gotten what she wanted out of this meeting, after all, so she's perfectly willing to play nice as a result. And now that all that's out of the way... "Are you hungry, Inteus? It's been quite a while since we last hunted together..." Malia trails off, not quite saying that she'd missed the wonderfully orchestrated way in which they bring down their chosen prey as a well-trained team...but certainly implying it nonetheless.
"Starving." It's his way of accepting the unspoken offer, and after giving it, Inteus begins walking again, immediately searching for the nearest game trail. Though hunting is a largely silent activity, spending any amount of time with his companion after so long away from her, no matter what they are doing while they are together, will be enjoyable, and he could definitely use some leisure before they focus once more on their goals.
Malia, female wolf
Inteus, male wolf
=== Tranquil Pond ===
It has been several weeks since Malia had last seen her companion, and perhaps the she-wolf might go so far as to admit that she'd missed the male in their time apart -- /if/ she were asked, that is, and it's somewhat doubtful that Inteus would bother to ask such a trivial thing in the first place. Regardless, that's not to say she won't be happy to see him again, particularly with so much on her mind that needs to be discussed, and her earnestly longing howl manages to convey this message as she lifts her maw to the sky.
Inteus' quest has not gone so well as he might have hoped, and perhaps unsurprisingly, it does not take the male wolf long to respond to Malia's call. He promised he would, and as he comes into sight, he is trotting along at a fair pace. Of course, when he spots Malia, he slows a little, but even now he is not walking as though simply on a leisurely stroll. He keeps his head and tail held high, but if Malia is finally calling to him, then he is willing to admit defeat in this little contest, since the southern wolf pack has been so preoccupied with their missing pup and dying beta that he was unable to bend their ears much at all.
Malia is settled by the same pond where the pair had parted so long ago to take their separate paths, and this combined with her pale coat of fur makes her fairly easy to spot from some distance away. She's far from claiming victory herself, but that's part of the reason why she's called her partner back to her side again -- neither of them can do this alone. Especially after one of her most recent decisions. Rising to all fours as soon as she sees Inteus approaching, she slinks up closer to the male to murmur with the slightest twinge of apprehension: "Inteus...I've done something."
It is clear from the male wolf's expression that he is taken off guard by Malia's unusual behaviour. He adamantly refuses to give into his automatic fears, though. He steps close enough to her to rub his cheek alongside hers, almost casually, before speaking. "And you're going to make me beg nicely for you to tell me what it is, is that it?" Inteus jokes as he responds, only to hide the fact that her apprehension has automatically inspired the same in him.
Malia seems to appreciate the offered display of reassuring affection, although she hardly shows any visible signs to this effect. The she-wolf merely glances away towards the north, then back to the male before her once more, answering his question with a little shake of the head. "No..." she trails off briefly, before finally explaining her predicament further. "An eagle came to me, while I was staying with the pack to the north. He told me that if I would do something for him, he would help me - us - in return...so I did." Well, that's all good news, right? Apparently not entirely, by how the she-wolf continues to anxiously shift her weight from paw to paw. "But...I think we need more help," Malia finishes somewhat vaguely, seeming to have left out a good chunk of information relating the two statements.
That can't be bad. At the very least, it cannot be as bad as what Inteus was imagining, since his handful of insecurities, whether he acknowledges them or not, revolve around his lifelong companion, and he was imagining that their takeover of this territory was going to be much bloodier than they'd intended when he had to tear out the throat of the alpha of these parts. Since that isn't the case, Inteus manages to keep carrying his grin easily. Whatever trouble she has encountered, they can either work through them, or else just move on before they're any more invested. "What sort of help do you think we need, Malia?" Because with his recent relief, he'd do anything now to make sure she's happy, including finding whatever she thinks she needs. Whatever she thinks they need.
Well...it may still end up being bloody. Which is why Malia is so concerned about finding backup, so that the blood spilled will be less of their own, and more of their opposition's. "More wolves," she answers simply, turning her head to meet and hold his gaze. "Support. What I did..." Malia trails off again, breaking the eye contact to glance northwards once again. "Well...let's just say that, as unlikely as it is, if I'm ever found out...the pack I've joined will stop at nothing to destroy me." If Inteus has found his companion's behavior atypical thus far, her next words at least help to restore the she-wolf's usual reputation: "So if I'm at a risk of death regardless...I'd at least like to make sure I'm well prepared for the fight." And even if she's not discovered, having extra backup for their original ultimate goal is hardly a bad thing either.
Well, she certainly has been getting up to no good while they've been apart, hasn't she? With his normal confidence, Inteus licks her cheek before responding, in a voice too soft, too seductive, for the actual message, he says, "You know I'd tear their bones from their bodies, every one of them, before I let any of them touch you." How cute. He's flirting. "But if you want more wolves, ones loyal to us, to feel safe, then I will find them for you. I must know, though, Malia, because I cannot imagine what you could do to make anyone so angry with such a stunning beauty." Actually, he can imagine dozens of things, but he wants to know which particular thing she has done that he will be defending, more for curiosity's sake than anything else.
"Oh, Inteus," Malia croons in response to his rather violent words, "you always know just what to say to make me feel better." Hardly what most would consider a romantic gesture, but it seems to work for this particular pair. Malia even manages a little smile, which is the most cheerfulness she's shown in their reunion thus far, though it fades again at his last request. "He wanted one of their pups. So...I brought him one." She had certainly wondered why the eagle hadn't just opted to go hunting after some sort of easier prey, but he had been very specific in his request. "He' been watching, and he offered to help in exchange...be our eye in the sky," the pale-furred female explains, trying to justify her actions as best she can to her partner in crime. Potentially compromising her position in the pack in exchange for some extra help? Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time...
If Inteus knows his mate well, she never would have stolen a pup out from under the eyes of a careful watcher, not in their current circumstances of hoping to make this pack bow to them, so he does not seem concerned by what she says. Rather, looking forward, he says, "Perhaps this helper of yours might be able to direct us to where we might find some more capable support, then." An eagle could be a worthy ally, sure, but he'd sooner cast in his lot with something that has claws and teeth instead of a beak and talons.
Malia nods in agreement with her companion's response, at least contented somewhat by the fact that he hasn't attempted to hold this questionably poor judgement against her. Yet. "Perhaps so. I will try to find him, and others as well." She only hopes she'll actually be able to find the bird in question -- as strong as her canine sense of smell is, she can't easily track something that rarely touches the ground, and her threats may have only made him all the more scarce. "But...can I presume by your own lack of good news that you haven't fared much better to the south?" Her inquiry, though genuine, still comes off as something of a jab at Inteus's progress nonetheless, before she softens the blow somewhat with a sweetly-murmured suggestion: "Should we pair up again for the time being? I do so think we work better /together/, after all..." That, and she'd prefer having some backup around in the meantime before they find additional support.
"I will have you know," Inteus begins, "that I was mere days from having the whole pack worship me." He's lying, and he doesn't make any effort to hide it. "But I could never leave you to get through these trials alone. I will stay with you and help you to search, and we will refocus our efforts here." Perhaps the idea had already occurred to him, or perhaps it was only Malia's suggestion that put it in his mind, but he does not allow it to seem like he is giving into her because he has had no luck. That would be too much.
Malia's muzzle spreads into a knowing smirk at that obvious white lie, though she doesn't go so far as to call him out on it. She's gotten what she wanted out of this meeting, after all, so she's perfectly willing to play nice as a result. And now that all that's out of the way... "Are you hungry, Inteus? It's been quite a while since we last hunted together..." Malia trails off, not quite saying that she'd missed the wonderfully orchestrated way in which they bring down their chosen prey as a well-trained team...but certainly implying it nonetheless.
"Starving." It's his way of accepting the unspoken offer, and after giving it, Inteus begins walking again, immediately searching for the nearest game trail. Though hunting is a largely silent activity, spending any amount of time with his companion after so long away from her, no matter what they are doing while they are together, will be enjoyable, and he could definitely use some leisure before they focus once more on their goals.