Post by Cael on May 17, 2007 10:28:30 GMT -5
Place: Dense Undergrowth, Lazuli den site
Involved: Miakoda, Kiba, Felstride, Thorne, Bodhi, Shoshuna, Storm
Summary: Miakoda fawns over Kiba, Thorne returns only to disappear again, Storm is discovered missing, SilentPaws is discovered dead, and Felstride must take control of himself and his pack.
It's a warm day in the forest, yet the breeze makes the temperature comfortable enough. Snow is a thing of memory by now, yet unfortunately, at least for Miakoda, death is not. Rook's passing still lingers heavily on her mind, and the cause of it, or what she supposes the cause of it is, keeps the Beta rather worried nowadays. Worried and restless. But, despite her worried state, she keeps true to the new rule that may or may not be known to all of the pack: Do not go anywhere alone. And so, she's been keeping close to the pack den, which is all good and well for her since the new arrivals are here too. The father and his adorable little pups. The she-wolf lingers outside of the den's entrance looking in, hoping to spy a white fuzz of something toddle out at some point. And in truth, this requires a lot of waiting. Good thing Mia has patience! Or .. at least, she thinks she has patience. It's been all of five minutes and already she's getting a bit restless.
Her patience does eventually pay off as one little white pup, who got tired of sitting in the den, emerges! Little legs tottering along as he made his way outside. Yellow eyes looking this way and that, while a tiny black nose is constantly smelling the air. Ears too big for his head turned forward. Kiba makes his way outside, apparently unaware of the rule that you can't go off by yourself... but its not like he would get far without being noticed anyway. Not with so many other wolves around. This place is so new! New faces... new smells.. new sights... new everything!
She isn't the only one to be anxious, in fact, Felstride has probably had about three coronaries by now and he doesn't know it yet. Still, he's had a lot to think about and as the days get longer and warmer, they're not getting any easier. But, with little sight or sound of the wolves from Rook's -- from before -- Felstride has managed to calm down. A little. Even that, though, isn't enough to free himself of the worries of all the new additions to the Lazuli; an expanding group is one thing, but an expanding group while there is a strange pack of murderous wolves about is quite another. At present, Felstride has settled himself at the very edge of the tree line, most of his attention focused out into the forest, eyes and ears sweeping constantly for anything out of the ordinary. At one point, the noise from behind him causes his ears to swivel slightly, bringing his eyes around with them to view Miakoda, who brings the hint of a smile to his muzzle. Then, when the newest pup emerges, it flickers more brightly. Though.. he says nothing.
Ah - maybe two white sights at once? Thorne emerges from the surrounding foliage near Felstride, padding as softly and unobtrusively as ever. He comes and goes as the whim takes, disappearing and reappearing like a ghost. Pausing to sniff a bit and reacquaint himself with the area, he is a bit surprised at the amount of traffic the den seems to be entertaining, but says nothing. Everyone is on edge - he can taste it in the air - and he is little different. "Are we taking refugees these days?" he asks quietly, half-joking, half-sarcastic in his typical manner.
Omg look! It's one of them! Miakoda's ears perk up quickly as one of the pale youngsters moves out from the den, and a grin soon spreads over her muzzle as her tail flips from side to side behind her. It's the little male. What was his name again? "Hello Ki.... ii..vvv.." No no, that was wrong the other day. Not Kiva. Ki... "..ba!" she says brightly. "Kiba, hello," spoken gently and with a smile that can only be described as warm. "How are you today? Did you play with Larkspur the other day?" she coos without really expecting an answer from him. She can't remember hearing him speak anything more than his name, but that isn't stopping her from talking to him as if he can say more. An ear turns back at the sound of a voice. A familiar voice, at that. A head turn is all that's needed for her to spy Thorne, and her brows gently lift in surprise at the sight of him. His comment is answered with a snort from her, though upon seeing Felstride she lifts her head and offers the Alpha a smile. "Hello, Felstride. Have you met the new littlest ones?"
The little pup looked up and blinked at the cheerful voice that came from the she-wolf he had met before. His tail wagging just a little and even a ghost of a smile appearing on black lips. "Miakoda" he said back, proud that he hadn't forgotten her more complicated name. However, as she asked about Larkspur, eyes looked downward slightly, "No." He hadn't expected the somewhat harsh demeanor he had received from her when he'd hesitated in wanting to play. He didn't know that such a thing was a crime.
To Miakoda, Felstride nods gently and the smile moves to his eyes that shimmer in dark amber. Of course, he's soon distracted as his head turns to one side, suddenly viewing that enigmatic Thorne and somehow, Felstride manages a grin. It fades quickly, unfortunately, and the darker wolf shakes his head sadly, "Wolves are flocking to the forest. Good ones." Pause. "Evil ones." Longer pause. "And long past ones. There have been many things in this forest that you have missed, Thorne, but it is good to know that you are still alive." Unlike some. He looks sadly for a moment at the ghost-wolf near him before slowly sliding his eyes back to Miakoda and the young pup, ears twisting forward curiously.
Bodhi, having been laying around trying to catch some sleep, decides that with all the voices that keep disturbing him it's a futile task and slowly stands up proper again and lets out a yawn. "Evening all," a soft smile offered before his lips shift back to a more neutral expression as he pads over toward Miakoda.
Evil? Good and Evil? Sounds like a story...The white wolf stretches his front limbs languidly, grinning back at Miakoda briefly. He has missed enough, but perhaps not as much as they might guess...unlike the pack, Thorne has no concept of this don't-wander-alone rule that has come up. "...This wouldn't have anything to do with those wolves that haunt the farm, would it?" He's been investigating the farm itself; deserted and full of who-knows-what left from the inhabitants.
.. Look at how cute he is! Miakoda is entranced by this little boy, and at his forlorn look, her heart all but melts. "No? Oh, it's ok," she assures as she lowers her head to be more on his level. "You didn't want to play? Or she didn't want to play with you? It's alright. You'll play in time. You don't have to play right now if you don't want to." The tone she holds is an encouraging one, and the smile, reassuring. It's likely that she'd nuzzle him, and the want all but shines in her eyes. But! This isn't her pup, and he's new here. So she satisfies herself with that smile and a soft, almost motherly look. "I'm glad you remembered my name. You're very smart, Kiba. Are your father and sister still asleep?" she asks with a glance to the den before her attention is taken by the approaching black wolf, Bodhi. "Hey Bodhi," is offered with a light smile to him, though she keeps an ear turned toward Thorne and Felstride.
"I didn't want to... and she got mad" he said simply. Not meaning to tattle, but he was just telling it like it was. She asked, after all. However, her reassurance was well received by the pup, his light smile soon returning as she complimented his intelligence. However, he looked back at the den entrance when his sister and father were brought up, "No." As far as he knew, they were still sleeping.
He shouldn't be surprised that Thorne knows what's going on, but the wolf's words cause him to blink.. then slowly nod, "Yes. We knew that something had happened at the farm not too long ago, but now those wolves have taken up living there which only adds to the fact that something with the Man is not right." Felstride can only shrug at that, since he has no idea what's happened at the farm.. and now with the wolves stationed there, he isn't about to go look. "But it is not just there. Those wolves travel quickly. And silently. Their scent is everywhere and I do not know how many of them there are." His ears fall back, turning his gaze away from some of the other wolves and lowering his head, not wishing to upset them but needing to tell Thorne, "Rook is gone."
Bodhi leans over to offer Miakoda a friendly nuzzle in greeting as he pads up alongside her, he then looks down at Kiba and dips his head in a silent greeting to him before turning his attention toward Felstride and Thorne with a sigh as he listens.
"Gone?" he asks softly, though he needs no answer. It's plain enough. The white wolf sighs heavily, eyes settling upon Miakoda and her interactions with the pup, expression vague. "The man is dead, that kept the farm. The livestock scattered," he states slowly, by way of explaining the presence of wolves at a farm. "I wasn't able to really see how many there might be myself. I thought there might be some aggression on their part...but apparently it's a bit more than I figured, eh?" Hard living, it seems, likes to follow this pack.
"Kiba," Miakoda informs Bodhi in a whisper, not knowing of the dark male knows the little one's name. She smiles at him before looking back to the pup. "Don't worry about Larkspur getting mad. She has a little temper, but that doesn't mean that she won't be your friend in the end." Her tail flips once as she exhales a breath, and she peers at the wolf at her side again, watching him before she eyes the others scattered about here and there. Muzzle tilting up, she inhales a few breaths of air before looking to Bodhi again. "Did Storm go out on patrol today?" she asks with a tilt of her head. "If she did, who did she go with? I hadn't seen her today since I've been up."
The white pup was quiet at Miakoda's words. He would just have to wait and see how Larkspur reacted to him later. He did want friends. Kiba looked up at the stranger wolves that he hadn't seen before... blinking at the one that acknowledged him while quietly listening to what was being spoken. He didn't know what was going on, or what they were really talking about.
Listening intently, Felstride's brows slowly draw downward as Thorne relates the goings-on at the farm. The man is dead? Odd.. but that explains the strange smells, the uneasy atmosphere among the animals.. but that doesn't explain the wolves or the ghosts. The darker wolf grunts, his shoulders rolling up in a shrug. "These wolves are strange. Aggression.. it is not just that. It is.. pure hatred. Unbounded hatred for living creatures. I.. cannot understand it." That said, his voice growing lower, Felstride picks up his head and turns his full attention to the gathering, his eyes sweeping over all the wolves, young and older, with a subtle sadness behind their dark amber. He chuffs to all in turn, nodding, though he can't help but look back into the darkness of the forest for a brief and agonizing moment.
Shoshuna comes out of some underbrush, evidently having been mourning Rook and sleeping, tossing and turning by the looks of the junk matted in her fur, she sees the other wolves and just hangs around to see what's going on...
Bodhi smiles softly at Kiba, "I'm happy to meet you Kiba" his brows then furrowing deeply as he speaks softly, "I'm not sure actually, I haven't seen her since the other night." His gaze surveying the den site slowly as he starts to look somewhat worried.
Thorne is silent for a time, contemplating what Felstride says and having nothing further to add. Things are quiet for the time being. Peaceful. Eventually he stands again, glancing about. "I'll walk the borders a bit, I suppose." Seems he's going to slip away again as quietly as he arrived.
Shoshuna lays down and places her chin on her front paws after crossing them, deciding not to disturb them. She places her tail on the ground behind her, her eyes are still a bit mad from the night before.
Miakoda gently frowns at Bodhi, not too comforted by what he says. She stands up now, giving Kiba a look. Her expression softens now and she lowers her head a bit. "I'll be right back, ok little dear? You can come out further. Everyone in this area is a friend to you, ok?" She smiles warmly before lifting her head again, giving a look to Bodhi. "I don't like this.." she says as she steps away from him and heads toward Felstride and Thorne, eyeing the other as he heads off alone. "Hey, you...!" she begins, but alas! He's too fast. "...jerk..." she says beneath her breath, snorting before she turns to Felstride. "Bodhi and I haven't seen Storm in a day. Have you? We aren't supposed to go off alone," she says with a pointed look in the direction that Thorne went. Jerk.
Kiba quietly looked at Bodhi, not really having anything to say, his expression a bit somber. Attention returned to Miakoda as she spoke tenderly, a little nod being the only response to her. Getting to his paws, he wandered out a bit, deciding to sniff around. Nosing stones and leaves as he explored the immediate area. However, he could hear the words of the adults and judging from their body language, tones and demeanors... things did not seem well with the world.
"She is asleep, Miakoda," Felstride croons gently, tiredly, his eyes trailing after the ghost-wolf although, even as alpha, he feels powerless to stop him. Thorne is an enigma that he can't, or wants, to control. As the wolf's attention travels back to Miakoda, he points his muzzle in the direction of the den and murmurs softly, "Inside." And that's all. He.. tries to smile, but it comes off half-hearted and ill-at-ease, and as he curls his tail about his forepaws he glances again at the surrounding forest. The middle of his back itches, as if someone or something is there, and he can't shake it. He chuffs again, inadvertently, before turning his head back to the den.
Shoshuna peeks her head out of the shadow. "'Er, ''ello all." She didn't want them to think she was eavesdropping. She was really trying to make friends here.
Bodhi remains silent as simply looks after Thorne as well with a shake of his head, then returns his attention to surveying the den site and surrounding undergrowth thoughtfully, his attention then being caught by Shoshuna, "Evening, Shoshuna."
"Inside?" echoes Miakoda with a glance back to the den. "But I don't...remember..." but she trails off. Taking matters in her own hands, she moves away from Felstride and heads back toward the den, passing by Kiba purposely to make sure that he's ok. But she doesn't pause to talk to him and instead disappears into the den. Puppies. A male. All asleep. She's back moments later, dusting off dirt and such from her pelt. Ears perk as she notes Shoshuna, and the young wolf is smiled at briefly before she looks to Felstride. "Fel'. She's not there. I'm telling you, I haven't seen her since early yesterday," she says, sounding fretful.
Shoshuna ears suddenly perk up. "Who's missing?" she is anxious.
Kiba looked up as Miakoda passed him by, went into the den and reappeared seemingly in a bit of a panic. He wondered what was going on, but didn't say anything. Instead, he went back to sniffing about... although continued to listen.
Shoshuna stands up. "Who's missing?"
Suddenly out of the fog over his mind, Felstride stands, eyes wide, startled, questioning as Miakoda returns with news that he was not expecting. "I had thought.." he begins, too astonished to continue. The alpha glances wildly around for a brief and uncontrolled moment, very unlike him, before he turns from the she-wolf and lopes to the edge of the trees. There, he takes a deliberate and calm breath, tilting his muzzle up to the sky to issue a long, low, searching howl for his mate. He doesn't wait before howling again, the same -- almost quivering, heart-strained sound -- and the he fall silent. Ears pricked, the alpha waits and worries; he had sworn Storm was near and safe. The silence and the darkness of the trees greets him. In a sudden panic, the normally collected Felstride, wild-eyed, says to Miakoda, "Stay here," before he races off into the forest as fast as his paws can carry.
Bodhi twitches slightly as he looks over at Shoshuna speaking softly. "Storm is." He then pads quickly over alongside Miakoda and murrs softly as he nuzzles her comfortingly "I hope she is well."
Miakoda's ears lower as she watches Felstride, unused to seeing him .. unravel. It's unnerving to her, as he always seemed to be the one that had the levelest head in any time of stress. So as his panic rises, her fear begins to claw at her and her head lowers now as she watches him. Stay here? "Bu-" she begins to protest, but like Thorne, he's too fast for her. Why do males always run away from her? All she can do is watch after him with a worried look, brows pressed together before she falls back onto her haunches and lets out a long howl, calling for her friend, and hurrying Felstride's search.
(time passes)
The howl did catch the alpha's attention on her slow trek back toward the den. Storm's maw twitches, unsure about answering back before lifting her head to let out a howl to show that she's alright. Alright to a degree. Finding SilentPaws dead has really left a mark on the she-wolf.
Finally, finally, to the response howl he gets, Felstride issues a relieved whine as he moves through the trees, pinpointing Storm's location and eventually spotting her through the foliage. His quivering heart and uneasy stomach still don't settle, though, even as he pads closer, his normally calm self almost crying as he greets the she-wolf's approach with a nuzzle and an agitated chuff. He can't be mad at her, but he was terrified for her life. He didn't know where she was and it frightened him beyond words. "Where did you go?" Felstride asks, voice struggling to steady itself as he pulls away from the nuzzle to watch Storm with scared, worried eyes, "I thought you were in the den, but Miakoda told me that you were not. We did not know where you had gone.. I was so afraid for you. Even you cannot go out alone.. not after.." Not after Rook.
Storm keeps moving forward figuring she'll run into Felstride soon enough, once again her fur is covered with dirt and blood. The expression on her face is anything but happy, ears back and looking like she was beaten even though no one even touched her. She tilts her head and looks to Fel' watching him a few moments before just leaning back against him as she takes in a shaky breath. Still words do not come, something has happened, something bad has happened yet again.
Bodhi murrs softly and lifts his head as he hears Storm's howl. "See, she is alright," his words being whispered softly as he gives Mia's neck a nuzzle. "Would you mind go looking after the pups, as I'm sure all this howling might be worrisome for them and you are the one in this pack who to soothe them the best."
It is then that he realizes the blood; it's the scent that hits him first, and Felstride almost reels back in surprise and disgust as he looks her over, maw hanging open and moving.. but speechless. The wolf circles her, sniffing wildly and trying to figure out what is going on before he finally settling on his haunches, brows furrowed with fear and worry, "Storm..." he begins, trying to ask her the question of what happened but.. a slight breeze picks up the scent of blood again, and it sickens him. It's not prey. It's not Storm's. Slowly, recognition dawns on him.. "No.. no.. no.."
Storm drops to her haunches as Fel' moves around her, head bowed and eyes closed. She draws in a shaky breath and her eyes open to look back at him, watching a few moments. "SilentPaws is gone." The alpha offers with a faint tone, what else can she say but that? Her gaze drifts back the way she came and she takes in a shaky breath. "Found him right outside are land.."
What was this... smells of blood and such didn't miss the pup's nose. Kiba... who was perhaps a little too curious about what was going on, meandered toward the gathered adults. The pup silent and wondering. Puzzled and bewildered at the negative emotions that had been surrounding the pack since he got here.
SilentPaws? Dumbstruck, Felstride can only stare at Storm as her words relate his fears; it was his blood, his scent. Was. The alpha is silent for a long, long time, watching his mate in shock and dumbfounded disbelief before the look slowly melts back into his face, regaining his composure as he rises and begins to clean the blood and mud from Storm's pelt. His nose wrinkles in disgust, ear ticking backward, though he soldiers on without asking anything else. He won't put her through more. After some time, the wolf nudges her shoulder and begins to walk back toward the den site, "Come, let us get you home."
Storm opens her maw to tell him to stop before a sigh escapes her as she lets him do what he wants. A faint huffle escapes her as her eyes close once more. At the talk of moving she keeps put, the nudging doesn't get her to far either. After sitting there a bit longer she pushes herself up onto her paws and starts to move forward once more. What is she going to tell the others? It took everything out of her to just tell Felstride that.
Bodhi slowly starts to pace back and forth as he looks over the den site once more, halfway in worry, but mostly to stay alert and on guard.
Her posture is bothering him, but he's not going to say anything. As she finally begins to move, Felstride mirrors her, their paws moving in unison, and he can feel her unease, her discomfort, her.. whatever it is.. He murmurs to her as they approach the den site again, eyes flitting briefly to her face, "Do not worry. You should go and lie down. I will take care of.. the questions."
Storm nods slowly, quiet still, but can anyone really blame her? "I'm sorry Felstride.." She offers after a few moments, her gaze drifting slowly in front of her while the move closer to home, she just wants to be in the den and with the pups at the moment.
Bodhi shakes his head slightly and just settles down again at his usual spot, this two to wander around rule is driving his restlessness through the room even though he knows the logic behind it.
Felstride shakes his head gently, eyes still downcast and focused on the ground in front of them as they slowly make their way back to the gathering of wolves. "No, do not be," he offers sadly with a flick of his ears, "It is not your fault. Nothing is." That said, he falls silent as they emerge into the small clearing and he continues with little more than a glance to those nearby. For a brief and fleeting moment, Felstride's panic nearly returns as Miakoda is no where in sight, but as they approach the den her scent is strong and he can see her body nearby with the pups. Felstride breaths gently, nosing Storm in the direction of the den and settling himself in front of the entrance as if a guard. Silence reigns.
Storm looks around the clearing taking in all who are here before her attention turns back to Felstride and she nuzzles at his neck slowly and watches him a few moments. She takes in a breath and then moves down into the den quietly. Everything lately making her wonder about her being a leader, to say the least. "Be careful.." She murmurs out faintly. If someone else is killed from their family she isn't sure what she'll do.
Bodhi looks over toward Felstride and Storm as they pad into the clearing and seems cheered up for about half a second until he notes their expressions and catches a sniff of the scents being carried on the wind. A soft, sad whine escapes his throat before he rests his head on the ground and basically tries to cover it with his paws.
Felstride offers Storm an ear twitch, glancing briefly across his shoulder and nodding once, his expression vague but telling her not to worry; to sleep, to rest, and not to worry. Or. Try not to. The alpha's sad and somber gaze travels back around to Bodhi, blinking slowly as he shakes his head in dismay, crossing his paws one over the other and resting his head dejectedly on them. "SilentPaws," the wolves murmurs, letting his eyes drift closed in sadness, "is gone."
Bodhi, having basically tried to deny what his nose told him from the scents, seems to 'deflate' and just lies perfectly still, not showing a single movement aside from a slightly irregular but rapid breathing after Felstride's words verifies what the scents said.
Felstride can't say anymore, nor can he reply to silence, and so the quiet continues into the coming night as the news of SilentPaws' death is mourned. For Felstride it is particularly hard, not knowing what to do for his mate and alphess, knowing she was the one to find both Rook and SilentPaws after their deaths. The wolf can only formulate a plan.. one of attack, or revenge he's not sure, but something needs to happen and it needs to happen soon.
Involved: Miakoda, Kiba, Felstride, Thorne, Bodhi, Shoshuna, Storm
Summary: Miakoda fawns over Kiba, Thorne returns only to disappear again, Storm is discovered missing, SilentPaws is discovered dead, and Felstride must take control of himself and his pack.
It's a warm day in the forest, yet the breeze makes the temperature comfortable enough. Snow is a thing of memory by now, yet unfortunately, at least for Miakoda, death is not. Rook's passing still lingers heavily on her mind, and the cause of it, or what she supposes the cause of it is, keeps the Beta rather worried nowadays. Worried and restless. But, despite her worried state, she keeps true to the new rule that may or may not be known to all of the pack: Do not go anywhere alone. And so, she's been keeping close to the pack den, which is all good and well for her since the new arrivals are here too. The father and his adorable little pups. The she-wolf lingers outside of the den's entrance looking in, hoping to spy a white fuzz of something toddle out at some point. And in truth, this requires a lot of waiting. Good thing Mia has patience! Or .. at least, she thinks she has patience. It's been all of five minutes and already she's getting a bit restless.
Her patience does eventually pay off as one little white pup, who got tired of sitting in the den, emerges! Little legs tottering along as he made his way outside. Yellow eyes looking this way and that, while a tiny black nose is constantly smelling the air. Ears too big for his head turned forward. Kiba makes his way outside, apparently unaware of the rule that you can't go off by yourself... but its not like he would get far without being noticed anyway. Not with so many other wolves around. This place is so new! New faces... new smells.. new sights... new everything!
She isn't the only one to be anxious, in fact, Felstride has probably had about three coronaries by now and he doesn't know it yet. Still, he's had a lot to think about and as the days get longer and warmer, they're not getting any easier. But, with little sight or sound of the wolves from Rook's -- from before -- Felstride has managed to calm down. A little. Even that, though, isn't enough to free himself of the worries of all the new additions to the Lazuli; an expanding group is one thing, but an expanding group while there is a strange pack of murderous wolves about is quite another. At present, Felstride has settled himself at the very edge of the tree line, most of his attention focused out into the forest, eyes and ears sweeping constantly for anything out of the ordinary. At one point, the noise from behind him causes his ears to swivel slightly, bringing his eyes around with them to view Miakoda, who brings the hint of a smile to his muzzle. Then, when the newest pup emerges, it flickers more brightly. Though.. he says nothing.
Ah - maybe two white sights at once? Thorne emerges from the surrounding foliage near Felstride, padding as softly and unobtrusively as ever. He comes and goes as the whim takes, disappearing and reappearing like a ghost. Pausing to sniff a bit and reacquaint himself with the area, he is a bit surprised at the amount of traffic the den seems to be entertaining, but says nothing. Everyone is on edge - he can taste it in the air - and he is little different. "Are we taking refugees these days?" he asks quietly, half-joking, half-sarcastic in his typical manner.
Omg look! It's one of them! Miakoda's ears perk up quickly as one of the pale youngsters moves out from the den, and a grin soon spreads over her muzzle as her tail flips from side to side behind her. It's the little male. What was his name again? "Hello Ki.... ii..vvv.." No no, that was wrong the other day. Not Kiva. Ki... "..ba!" she says brightly. "Kiba, hello," spoken gently and with a smile that can only be described as warm. "How are you today? Did you play with Larkspur the other day?" she coos without really expecting an answer from him. She can't remember hearing him speak anything more than his name, but that isn't stopping her from talking to him as if he can say more. An ear turns back at the sound of a voice. A familiar voice, at that. A head turn is all that's needed for her to spy Thorne, and her brows gently lift in surprise at the sight of him. His comment is answered with a snort from her, though upon seeing Felstride she lifts her head and offers the Alpha a smile. "Hello, Felstride. Have you met the new littlest ones?"
The little pup looked up and blinked at the cheerful voice that came from the she-wolf he had met before. His tail wagging just a little and even a ghost of a smile appearing on black lips. "Miakoda" he said back, proud that he hadn't forgotten her more complicated name. However, as she asked about Larkspur, eyes looked downward slightly, "No." He hadn't expected the somewhat harsh demeanor he had received from her when he'd hesitated in wanting to play. He didn't know that such a thing was a crime.
To Miakoda, Felstride nods gently and the smile moves to his eyes that shimmer in dark amber. Of course, he's soon distracted as his head turns to one side, suddenly viewing that enigmatic Thorne and somehow, Felstride manages a grin. It fades quickly, unfortunately, and the darker wolf shakes his head sadly, "Wolves are flocking to the forest. Good ones." Pause. "Evil ones." Longer pause. "And long past ones. There have been many things in this forest that you have missed, Thorne, but it is good to know that you are still alive." Unlike some. He looks sadly for a moment at the ghost-wolf near him before slowly sliding his eyes back to Miakoda and the young pup, ears twisting forward curiously.
Bodhi, having been laying around trying to catch some sleep, decides that with all the voices that keep disturbing him it's a futile task and slowly stands up proper again and lets out a yawn. "Evening all," a soft smile offered before his lips shift back to a more neutral expression as he pads over toward Miakoda.
Evil? Good and Evil? Sounds like a story...The white wolf stretches his front limbs languidly, grinning back at Miakoda briefly. He has missed enough, but perhaps not as much as they might guess...unlike the pack, Thorne has no concept of this don't-wander-alone rule that has come up. "...This wouldn't have anything to do with those wolves that haunt the farm, would it?" He's been investigating the farm itself; deserted and full of who-knows-what left from the inhabitants.
.. Look at how cute he is! Miakoda is entranced by this little boy, and at his forlorn look, her heart all but melts. "No? Oh, it's ok," she assures as she lowers her head to be more on his level. "You didn't want to play? Or she didn't want to play with you? It's alright. You'll play in time. You don't have to play right now if you don't want to." The tone she holds is an encouraging one, and the smile, reassuring. It's likely that she'd nuzzle him, and the want all but shines in her eyes. But! This isn't her pup, and he's new here. So she satisfies herself with that smile and a soft, almost motherly look. "I'm glad you remembered my name. You're very smart, Kiba. Are your father and sister still asleep?" she asks with a glance to the den before her attention is taken by the approaching black wolf, Bodhi. "Hey Bodhi," is offered with a light smile to him, though she keeps an ear turned toward Thorne and Felstride.
"I didn't want to... and she got mad" he said simply. Not meaning to tattle, but he was just telling it like it was. She asked, after all. However, her reassurance was well received by the pup, his light smile soon returning as she complimented his intelligence. However, he looked back at the den entrance when his sister and father were brought up, "No." As far as he knew, they were still sleeping.
He shouldn't be surprised that Thorne knows what's going on, but the wolf's words cause him to blink.. then slowly nod, "Yes. We knew that something had happened at the farm not too long ago, but now those wolves have taken up living there which only adds to the fact that something with the Man is not right." Felstride can only shrug at that, since he has no idea what's happened at the farm.. and now with the wolves stationed there, he isn't about to go look. "But it is not just there. Those wolves travel quickly. And silently. Their scent is everywhere and I do not know how many of them there are." His ears fall back, turning his gaze away from some of the other wolves and lowering his head, not wishing to upset them but needing to tell Thorne, "Rook is gone."
Bodhi leans over to offer Miakoda a friendly nuzzle in greeting as he pads up alongside her, he then looks down at Kiba and dips his head in a silent greeting to him before turning his attention toward Felstride and Thorne with a sigh as he listens.
"Gone?" he asks softly, though he needs no answer. It's plain enough. The white wolf sighs heavily, eyes settling upon Miakoda and her interactions with the pup, expression vague. "The man is dead, that kept the farm. The livestock scattered," he states slowly, by way of explaining the presence of wolves at a farm. "I wasn't able to really see how many there might be myself. I thought there might be some aggression on their part...but apparently it's a bit more than I figured, eh?" Hard living, it seems, likes to follow this pack.
"Kiba," Miakoda informs Bodhi in a whisper, not knowing of the dark male knows the little one's name. She smiles at him before looking back to the pup. "Don't worry about Larkspur getting mad. She has a little temper, but that doesn't mean that she won't be your friend in the end." Her tail flips once as she exhales a breath, and she peers at the wolf at her side again, watching him before she eyes the others scattered about here and there. Muzzle tilting up, she inhales a few breaths of air before looking to Bodhi again. "Did Storm go out on patrol today?" she asks with a tilt of her head. "If she did, who did she go with? I hadn't seen her today since I've been up."
The white pup was quiet at Miakoda's words. He would just have to wait and see how Larkspur reacted to him later. He did want friends. Kiba looked up at the stranger wolves that he hadn't seen before... blinking at the one that acknowledged him while quietly listening to what was being spoken. He didn't know what was going on, or what they were really talking about.
Listening intently, Felstride's brows slowly draw downward as Thorne relates the goings-on at the farm. The man is dead? Odd.. but that explains the strange smells, the uneasy atmosphere among the animals.. but that doesn't explain the wolves or the ghosts. The darker wolf grunts, his shoulders rolling up in a shrug. "These wolves are strange. Aggression.. it is not just that. It is.. pure hatred. Unbounded hatred for living creatures. I.. cannot understand it." That said, his voice growing lower, Felstride picks up his head and turns his full attention to the gathering, his eyes sweeping over all the wolves, young and older, with a subtle sadness behind their dark amber. He chuffs to all in turn, nodding, though he can't help but look back into the darkness of the forest for a brief and agonizing moment.
Shoshuna comes out of some underbrush, evidently having been mourning Rook and sleeping, tossing and turning by the looks of the junk matted in her fur, she sees the other wolves and just hangs around to see what's going on...
Bodhi smiles softly at Kiba, "I'm happy to meet you Kiba" his brows then furrowing deeply as he speaks softly, "I'm not sure actually, I haven't seen her since the other night." His gaze surveying the den site slowly as he starts to look somewhat worried.
Thorne is silent for a time, contemplating what Felstride says and having nothing further to add. Things are quiet for the time being. Peaceful. Eventually he stands again, glancing about. "I'll walk the borders a bit, I suppose." Seems he's going to slip away again as quietly as he arrived.
Shoshuna lays down and places her chin on her front paws after crossing them, deciding not to disturb them. She places her tail on the ground behind her, her eyes are still a bit mad from the night before.
Miakoda gently frowns at Bodhi, not too comforted by what he says. She stands up now, giving Kiba a look. Her expression softens now and she lowers her head a bit. "I'll be right back, ok little dear? You can come out further. Everyone in this area is a friend to you, ok?" She smiles warmly before lifting her head again, giving a look to Bodhi. "I don't like this.." she says as she steps away from him and heads toward Felstride and Thorne, eyeing the other as he heads off alone. "Hey, you...!" she begins, but alas! He's too fast. "...jerk..." she says beneath her breath, snorting before she turns to Felstride. "Bodhi and I haven't seen Storm in a day. Have you? We aren't supposed to go off alone," she says with a pointed look in the direction that Thorne went. Jerk.
Kiba quietly looked at Bodhi, not really having anything to say, his expression a bit somber. Attention returned to Miakoda as she spoke tenderly, a little nod being the only response to her. Getting to his paws, he wandered out a bit, deciding to sniff around. Nosing stones and leaves as he explored the immediate area. However, he could hear the words of the adults and judging from their body language, tones and demeanors... things did not seem well with the world.
"She is asleep, Miakoda," Felstride croons gently, tiredly, his eyes trailing after the ghost-wolf although, even as alpha, he feels powerless to stop him. Thorne is an enigma that he can't, or wants, to control. As the wolf's attention travels back to Miakoda, he points his muzzle in the direction of the den and murmurs softly, "Inside." And that's all. He.. tries to smile, but it comes off half-hearted and ill-at-ease, and as he curls his tail about his forepaws he glances again at the surrounding forest. The middle of his back itches, as if someone or something is there, and he can't shake it. He chuffs again, inadvertently, before turning his head back to the den.
Shoshuna peeks her head out of the shadow. "'Er, ''ello all." She didn't want them to think she was eavesdropping. She was really trying to make friends here.
Bodhi remains silent as simply looks after Thorne as well with a shake of his head, then returns his attention to surveying the den site and surrounding undergrowth thoughtfully, his attention then being caught by Shoshuna, "Evening, Shoshuna."
"Inside?" echoes Miakoda with a glance back to the den. "But I don't...remember..." but she trails off. Taking matters in her own hands, she moves away from Felstride and heads back toward the den, passing by Kiba purposely to make sure that he's ok. But she doesn't pause to talk to him and instead disappears into the den. Puppies. A male. All asleep. She's back moments later, dusting off dirt and such from her pelt. Ears perk as she notes Shoshuna, and the young wolf is smiled at briefly before she looks to Felstride. "Fel'. She's not there. I'm telling you, I haven't seen her since early yesterday," she says, sounding fretful.
Shoshuna ears suddenly perk up. "Who's missing?" she is anxious.
Kiba looked up as Miakoda passed him by, went into the den and reappeared seemingly in a bit of a panic. He wondered what was going on, but didn't say anything. Instead, he went back to sniffing about... although continued to listen.
Shoshuna stands up. "Who's missing?"
Suddenly out of the fog over his mind, Felstride stands, eyes wide, startled, questioning as Miakoda returns with news that he was not expecting. "I had thought.." he begins, too astonished to continue. The alpha glances wildly around for a brief and uncontrolled moment, very unlike him, before he turns from the she-wolf and lopes to the edge of the trees. There, he takes a deliberate and calm breath, tilting his muzzle up to the sky to issue a long, low, searching howl for his mate. He doesn't wait before howling again, the same -- almost quivering, heart-strained sound -- and the he fall silent. Ears pricked, the alpha waits and worries; he had sworn Storm was near and safe. The silence and the darkness of the trees greets him. In a sudden panic, the normally collected Felstride, wild-eyed, says to Miakoda, "Stay here," before he races off into the forest as fast as his paws can carry.
Bodhi twitches slightly as he looks over at Shoshuna speaking softly. "Storm is." He then pads quickly over alongside Miakoda and murrs softly as he nuzzles her comfortingly "I hope she is well."
Miakoda's ears lower as she watches Felstride, unused to seeing him .. unravel. It's unnerving to her, as he always seemed to be the one that had the levelest head in any time of stress. So as his panic rises, her fear begins to claw at her and her head lowers now as she watches him. Stay here? "Bu-" she begins to protest, but like Thorne, he's too fast for her. Why do males always run away from her? All she can do is watch after him with a worried look, brows pressed together before she falls back onto her haunches and lets out a long howl, calling for her friend, and hurrying Felstride's search.
(time passes)
The howl did catch the alpha's attention on her slow trek back toward the den. Storm's maw twitches, unsure about answering back before lifting her head to let out a howl to show that she's alright. Alright to a degree. Finding SilentPaws dead has really left a mark on the she-wolf.
Finally, finally, to the response howl he gets, Felstride issues a relieved whine as he moves through the trees, pinpointing Storm's location and eventually spotting her through the foliage. His quivering heart and uneasy stomach still don't settle, though, even as he pads closer, his normally calm self almost crying as he greets the she-wolf's approach with a nuzzle and an agitated chuff. He can't be mad at her, but he was terrified for her life. He didn't know where she was and it frightened him beyond words. "Where did you go?" Felstride asks, voice struggling to steady itself as he pulls away from the nuzzle to watch Storm with scared, worried eyes, "I thought you were in the den, but Miakoda told me that you were not. We did not know where you had gone.. I was so afraid for you. Even you cannot go out alone.. not after.." Not after Rook.
Storm keeps moving forward figuring she'll run into Felstride soon enough, once again her fur is covered with dirt and blood. The expression on her face is anything but happy, ears back and looking like she was beaten even though no one even touched her. She tilts her head and looks to Fel' watching him a few moments before just leaning back against him as she takes in a shaky breath. Still words do not come, something has happened, something bad has happened yet again.
Bodhi murrs softly and lifts his head as he hears Storm's howl. "See, she is alright," his words being whispered softly as he gives Mia's neck a nuzzle. "Would you mind go looking after the pups, as I'm sure all this howling might be worrisome for them and you are the one in this pack who to soothe them the best."
It is then that he realizes the blood; it's the scent that hits him first, and Felstride almost reels back in surprise and disgust as he looks her over, maw hanging open and moving.. but speechless. The wolf circles her, sniffing wildly and trying to figure out what is going on before he finally settling on his haunches, brows furrowed with fear and worry, "Storm..." he begins, trying to ask her the question of what happened but.. a slight breeze picks up the scent of blood again, and it sickens him. It's not prey. It's not Storm's. Slowly, recognition dawns on him.. "No.. no.. no.."
Storm drops to her haunches as Fel' moves around her, head bowed and eyes closed. She draws in a shaky breath and her eyes open to look back at him, watching a few moments. "SilentPaws is gone." The alpha offers with a faint tone, what else can she say but that? Her gaze drifts back the way she came and she takes in a shaky breath. "Found him right outside are land.."
What was this... smells of blood and such didn't miss the pup's nose. Kiba... who was perhaps a little too curious about what was going on, meandered toward the gathered adults. The pup silent and wondering. Puzzled and bewildered at the negative emotions that had been surrounding the pack since he got here.
SilentPaws? Dumbstruck, Felstride can only stare at Storm as her words relate his fears; it was his blood, his scent. Was. The alpha is silent for a long, long time, watching his mate in shock and dumbfounded disbelief before the look slowly melts back into his face, regaining his composure as he rises and begins to clean the blood and mud from Storm's pelt. His nose wrinkles in disgust, ear ticking backward, though he soldiers on without asking anything else. He won't put her through more. After some time, the wolf nudges her shoulder and begins to walk back toward the den site, "Come, let us get you home."
Storm opens her maw to tell him to stop before a sigh escapes her as she lets him do what he wants. A faint huffle escapes her as her eyes close once more. At the talk of moving she keeps put, the nudging doesn't get her to far either. After sitting there a bit longer she pushes herself up onto her paws and starts to move forward once more. What is she going to tell the others? It took everything out of her to just tell Felstride that.
Bodhi slowly starts to pace back and forth as he looks over the den site once more, halfway in worry, but mostly to stay alert and on guard.
Her posture is bothering him, but he's not going to say anything. As she finally begins to move, Felstride mirrors her, their paws moving in unison, and he can feel her unease, her discomfort, her.. whatever it is.. He murmurs to her as they approach the den site again, eyes flitting briefly to her face, "Do not worry. You should go and lie down. I will take care of.. the questions."
Storm nods slowly, quiet still, but can anyone really blame her? "I'm sorry Felstride.." She offers after a few moments, her gaze drifting slowly in front of her while the move closer to home, she just wants to be in the den and with the pups at the moment.
Bodhi shakes his head slightly and just settles down again at his usual spot, this two to wander around rule is driving his restlessness through the room even though he knows the logic behind it.
Felstride shakes his head gently, eyes still downcast and focused on the ground in front of them as they slowly make their way back to the gathering of wolves. "No, do not be," he offers sadly with a flick of his ears, "It is not your fault. Nothing is." That said, he falls silent as they emerge into the small clearing and he continues with little more than a glance to those nearby. For a brief and fleeting moment, Felstride's panic nearly returns as Miakoda is no where in sight, but as they approach the den her scent is strong and he can see her body nearby with the pups. Felstride breaths gently, nosing Storm in the direction of the den and settling himself in front of the entrance as if a guard. Silence reigns.
Storm looks around the clearing taking in all who are here before her attention turns back to Felstride and she nuzzles at his neck slowly and watches him a few moments. She takes in a breath and then moves down into the den quietly. Everything lately making her wonder about her being a leader, to say the least. "Be careful.." She murmurs out faintly. If someone else is killed from their family she isn't sure what she'll do.
Bodhi looks over toward Felstride and Storm as they pad into the clearing and seems cheered up for about half a second until he notes their expressions and catches a sniff of the scents being carried on the wind. A soft, sad whine escapes his throat before he rests his head on the ground and basically tries to cover it with his paws.
Felstride offers Storm an ear twitch, glancing briefly across his shoulder and nodding once, his expression vague but telling her not to worry; to sleep, to rest, and not to worry. Or. Try not to. The alpha's sad and somber gaze travels back around to Bodhi, blinking slowly as he shakes his head in dismay, crossing his paws one over the other and resting his head dejectedly on them. "SilentPaws," the wolves murmurs, letting his eyes drift closed in sadness, "is gone."
Bodhi, having basically tried to deny what his nose told him from the scents, seems to 'deflate' and just lies perfectly still, not showing a single movement aside from a slightly irregular but rapid breathing after Felstride's words verifies what the scents said.
Felstride can't say anymore, nor can he reply to silence, and so the quiet continues into the coming night as the news of SilentPaws' death is mourned. For Felstride it is particularly hard, not knowing what to do for his mate and alphess, knowing she was the one to find both Rook and SilentPaws after their deaths. The wolf can only formulate a plan.. one of attack, or revenge he's not sure, but something needs to happen and it needs to happen soon.