Post by Althaea on Nov 28, 2012 0:31:32 GMT -5
Where: An Old Stump in the Grassy Plains
Who: Althaea (Ute), Helaku
------------------
A day. He had a day of peace here in the plains. The horse went her way, and so too did the lynx. Helaku stayed on his little patch of mound among the high grass, statuesque as ever for...whatever reason. One thrilling night hunt at the stream did him wonders, and for the first time in months he could simply sit, enjoy the few, the smells, and not be bothered by anyone or anything. Wind whispered through the fields, the clouds floated in the sky. Young Helaku took in the sun as his ancestors taught, warmed by it. One day, just a day. The serenity here was eternity.
Rockfall has a growing number of white hairs on his coat, especially the short hairs at the front tip of his muzzle below and around his nosepad. His build is decent and his movements convey no obvious impediment, but the son of Tariro is, nonetheless, himself showing signs of his age. Rockfall pauses as the late spring breeze tears through in occasional strong gusts across the plains. He cocks his head as his nose picks up the scent of a not-too-familiar wolf.
A seasons end means many things, some not always of good nature. Away from home, her pack, the young Ute female, Althaea, has set out in a desperate attempt to find closure. The forest behind her, the grassy plains now beneath her paws, a serene landscape spread out in a blanket that would surely make her search all the more difficult. Heading out in no real direction, she gives watch over the horse herd in the distance, but gives them no reason to pay her heed, passing them up quietly.
A bending of ear here, and there, Helaku listened to the chitter of insects that mingled with a feeling he might not be too alone. No bother, if another came he'd hear them if not smell first. A subtle flick of his tail, he turned about towards a lone, dead tree and pondered it. It had passed several seasons ago, likely when he was a pup still feeding on mother's milk. At its base lie tangled roots, a perfect spot for a den. Should he dig? Maybe. Helaku dug his claws into the soft ground. That horse may not like it, but the thoughts of 'owning' land was preposterous.
All would of remained as it was had the wind not changed, causing halt in the young female. Being out in the open, especially alone, in unfamiliar territory was a dangerous thing. Something Althaea knew rather well. Keeping ear out, she takes a look around. Spotting the herd once more, another figure draws attention from it. Was that another wolf... and what is he doing? Distance is kept as she turns to investigate.
Yes, that tree would make a nice home, especially under it. Helaku approached the large roots and tapped them with his forepaw. Quite dead, but sturdy. A strong wind wouldn't knock this tree over, but a severe storm might. He sniffed the ground until he found a pre-dug hole. A badger once lived here, but the scent was so faded it was unlikely to return. Home. This would be his home! The tree and plains were out of the way, untouched by wolf packs.
Closer examination brings Althaea to another halt. What sort of wolf makes a home out of an old tree stump and its roots? It was a question to be left unanswered; she didn't care for it. "If your looking to drown yourself, your on the right track." She smirks at the wolf from behind.
Helaku paused his inspection and turned to fake the company that made him sure he wasn't alone, though he didn't expect female. Or wolf. At this angle, the sun's rays brightened that patch of fur between his eyes where the Little Sun boasted unusual hues. "You're not far off," he said, turning his ears straight to her, his tail raised in a relatively Alpha posture. "This is likely where I will die." What a strange thing for a young adult wolf to say!
"Death is where you make it.. No reason a hole cant be its chosen destination." A side glance is made to the pre-made hole in the ground at the base of the fallin tree stump. "But what sort of life is made if the end is all thats waited for." Althaea shifts back upon the wolf for a moment, a grimace expression follows his tail posture. Such a thing meant nothing out here.
"Sure," Helaku said, maintaining the posture. His voice betrayed it; he meant no harm by posturing the way he did, it was simply who he was. He didn't expect her to pick up on that. "I don't expect it soon. Probably for the best, my dear." He granted her a content smile on his muzzle. "Besides, the sun feels great. My ancestors worshipped it, sang praises to it." And thus he sat upon his angular haunches, watching her with a curious eye. "What brings you out this way?"
Brows furrow.. she wasn't his dear. Not taking kinding being called such, 'Thaea's tail whipped. "An odd way of upholding old traditions, under a stump." She tells him, looking up to the relative position of the sun. Her own pack once worshipped the same.. Her own uncle trying to revive it infact. Turning back to the wolf a brow is risen. "Clarity." Is all that she tells him.
Those furrowing brows only made Helaku smile a bit more. He knew an attractive female when he saw one, but he was not searching for a mate. No. Most females stayed in packs, and he wasn't the type to seek permission for a love life. "The stump is mere shelter," he said. "If it clarity you seek, this plain is the right place. No packs, no cougar tribes, just the horses and the smell of fine grains." He paused for the moment. Strong desire to not get involved made introducing himself difficult, but eventually someone would find out. The last thing he needed was a pack with a grudge showing up here.
Nor would she accept him if he was. It is not that to which she furrows upon however, but his choice for words. Listening brings her to constantly look at the stump and the hole he calls shelter. She cant argue that such a place doesn't serve well for such, having taken up in one herself once some seasons back. "Wrong sort of clarity I'm afraid." This time she turns toward the plains.
Helaku too faced the plains. Whatever sort of clarity she needed, he was sure she could find it here if she knew how to look for it. The wind blew strong through the grass, and seeds fluttered in the wind. Already this land had accepted him, and only he knew exactly how. Winter was his strongest point, the summer his weakest but the seasons still spoke their stories. "If you do not mind me inquiring, what sort of clarity?"
Althaea's eyes would close for a moment as the wind blew through her coat. It was true the only scent one could pick up was horse and grain. Stay out here long enough and you may forget the real reason you came. Shaking her head, blue eyes drop to the ground. "Closure." She says first, "To help my..." Wait, why is she telling him this, its none of his business. "Why do you care.. thought you were digging a hole to lye in."
Ah, so she caught on! Why 'did' he care when he sat around, digging holes? The wolf kept his gaze on the fields, how they swayed like water. "I see the way you move, the tone in your voice," he said. "You need a listener impartial to the deeds and confrontations that arise within the pack you belong to...would I be right?" He slowly angled his head to gaze at her. "Closure is a powerful need, something that can drive anyone to almost any deed to obtain. And sometimes it backfires, painfully. Simply, it is in my interest to help you avoid that, since you've been so kind as to not growl, snarl, strut about, or demand my who's and what's like many wolves do."
"The paroles I keep have nothing to do with the pack I stand by." Her troubles stand by another and continue to do so till clarity is found. "I've been through my fair share of pains. I dont need you help to end them." Her tone determined and made up. Ears turning back hearing of his interests Althaea head shakes. "It is not in my interest to know who you are. Aggression only gets you hurt, and i'm not like other wolves." This, she stesp away from the wold with.
Helaku subtly frowned on this note, not because she didn't want to know who he was but rather the fact they had entered this conversation that ultimately ended up in the Land of Nowhere. Still, he remained focused on the plains. Yes, he wanted to know why she had talked this far if only to pull out now. "You 'did' address me first, after all," he said. "But if you're leaving...I only ask that visits here by the rest of your pack not become common for the interests of the horses, which ever pack you belong." His tone wasn't unkind. Here sat a wolf that tired of Alphas and Betas wanting their damn way so much.
Althaea tail flicks at his words as if to brush them away. She spoke what she did because she could. Now she wishes she hadn't said anything at all. "To address is to resolve ones curiosity. But I see now it not you that poses interest, its me." She looks to the wolf for only moments before turning away. "Though your interests are well meant, they are not needed." Tone slightly elevated, she calms putting distance between the two of them.
Helaku's eyes shifted to her when she turned away. And thus, this was why he didn't join a pack or accept offers. Ever since he found a few things regarding both packs, he wondered how he could ever fit in without some discomfort arising between members on his account. It was, after all, unavoidable. "My apologies," he said. "Perhaps I'm not needed after all."
Althaea says nothing so as to avoid making things worse between the unknown. Tail flicking back and forth, she gives one last look out across the plains before turning back the way she came. Turns out she wont find clarity out here afterall. Home is where she should return too and its home that she goes.
Helaku watched her go. What a shame. He couldn't help anyone. At least he made it clear that his ideals were in the horse's interests. Perhaps they'd appreciate that. Appreciation was appreciation even if not from a wolf. He recalled what he said to Kesh about pack life. "Whatever intention you have for me, Tobba, it is confusing," he said, mostly to himself but not out of ear range as he dug his claws into the dirt.
Tobba, a name she didn't know. Old Ute traditions have failed to be passed down over the generations and thus Althaea makes nothing of the name she should know very well. No look back, just a straight forward path to the forest. She had someone waiting for her, and she didn't want to keep him waiting forever.
And...boom. Helaku perked up and watched her all the way to the forest. As far as he was concerned he did his proper job, in a sense. Sure, it was nice seeing another wolf, but the horse had been overly concerned about more wolves in the plains. She was gone, problem solved for now and yet he found himself constantly eyeing that forest. Nah, they'd not want him. He continued digging out the old badger tunnel until it met his needs.
Who: Althaea (Ute), Helaku
------------------
A day. He had a day of peace here in the plains. The horse went her way, and so too did the lynx. Helaku stayed on his little patch of mound among the high grass, statuesque as ever for...whatever reason. One thrilling night hunt at the stream did him wonders, and for the first time in months he could simply sit, enjoy the few, the smells, and not be bothered by anyone or anything. Wind whispered through the fields, the clouds floated in the sky. Young Helaku took in the sun as his ancestors taught, warmed by it. One day, just a day. The serenity here was eternity.
Rockfall has a growing number of white hairs on his coat, especially the short hairs at the front tip of his muzzle below and around his nosepad. His build is decent and his movements convey no obvious impediment, but the son of Tariro is, nonetheless, himself showing signs of his age. Rockfall pauses as the late spring breeze tears through in occasional strong gusts across the plains. He cocks his head as his nose picks up the scent of a not-too-familiar wolf.
A seasons end means many things, some not always of good nature. Away from home, her pack, the young Ute female, Althaea, has set out in a desperate attempt to find closure. The forest behind her, the grassy plains now beneath her paws, a serene landscape spread out in a blanket that would surely make her search all the more difficult. Heading out in no real direction, she gives watch over the horse herd in the distance, but gives them no reason to pay her heed, passing them up quietly.
A bending of ear here, and there, Helaku listened to the chitter of insects that mingled with a feeling he might not be too alone. No bother, if another came he'd hear them if not smell first. A subtle flick of his tail, he turned about towards a lone, dead tree and pondered it. It had passed several seasons ago, likely when he was a pup still feeding on mother's milk. At its base lie tangled roots, a perfect spot for a den. Should he dig? Maybe. Helaku dug his claws into the soft ground. That horse may not like it, but the thoughts of 'owning' land was preposterous.
All would of remained as it was had the wind not changed, causing halt in the young female. Being out in the open, especially alone, in unfamiliar territory was a dangerous thing. Something Althaea knew rather well. Keeping ear out, she takes a look around. Spotting the herd once more, another figure draws attention from it. Was that another wolf... and what is he doing? Distance is kept as she turns to investigate.
Yes, that tree would make a nice home, especially under it. Helaku approached the large roots and tapped them with his forepaw. Quite dead, but sturdy. A strong wind wouldn't knock this tree over, but a severe storm might. He sniffed the ground until he found a pre-dug hole. A badger once lived here, but the scent was so faded it was unlikely to return. Home. This would be his home! The tree and plains were out of the way, untouched by wolf packs.
Closer examination brings Althaea to another halt. What sort of wolf makes a home out of an old tree stump and its roots? It was a question to be left unanswered; she didn't care for it. "If your looking to drown yourself, your on the right track." She smirks at the wolf from behind.
Helaku paused his inspection and turned to fake the company that made him sure he wasn't alone, though he didn't expect female. Or wolf. At this angle, the sun's rays brightened that patch of fur between his eyes where the Little Sun boasted unusual hues. "You're not far off," he said, turning his ears straight to her, his tail raised in a relatively Alpha posture. "This is likely where I will die." What a strange thing for a young adult wolf to say!
"Death is where you make it.. No reason a hole cant be its chosen destination." A side glance is made to the pre-made hole in the ground at the base of the fallin tree stump. "But what sort of life is made if the end is all thats waited for." Althaea shifts back upon the wolf for a moment, a grimace expression follows his tail posture. Such a thing meant nothing out here.
"Sure," Helaku said, maintaining the posture. His voice betrayed it; he meant no harm by posturing the way he did, it was simply who he was. He didn't expect her to pick up on that. "I don't expect it soon. Probably for the best, my dear." He granted her a content smile on his muzzle. "Besides, the sun feels great. My ancestors worshipped it, sang praises to it." And thus he sat upon his angular haunches, watching her with a curious eye. "What brings you out this way?"
Brows furrow.. she wasn't his dear. Not taking kinding being called such, 'Thaea's tail whipped. "An odd way of upholding old traditions, under a stump." She tells him, looking up to the relative position of the sun. Her own pack once worshipped the same.. Her own uncle trying to revive it infact. Turning back to the wolf a brow is risen. "Clarity." Is all that she tells him.
Those furrowing brows only made Helaku smile a bit more. He knew an attractive female when he saw one, but he was not searching for a mate. No. Most females stayed in packs, and he wasn't the type to seek permission for a love life. "The stump is mere shelter," he said. "If it clarity you seek, this plain is the right place. No packs, no cougar tribes, just the horses and the smell of fine grains." He paused for the moment. Strong desire to not get involved made introducing himself difficult, but eventually someone would find out. The last thing he needed was a pack with a grudge showing up here.
Nor would she accept him if he was. It is not that to which she furrows upon however, but his choice for words. Listening brings her to constantly look at the stump and the hole he calls shelter. She cant argue that such a place doesn't serve well for such, having taken up in one herself once some seasons back. "Wrong sort of clarity I'm afraid." This time she turns toward the plains.
Helaku too faced the plains. Whatever sort of clarity she needed, he was sure she could find it here if she knew how to look for it. The wind blew strong through the grass, and seeds fluttered in the wind. Already this land had accepted him, and only he knew exactly how. Winter was his strongest point, the summer his weakest but the seasons still spoke their stories. "If you do not mind me inquiring, what sort of clarity?"
Althaea's eyes would close for a moment as the wind blew through her coat. It was true the only scent one could pick up was horse and grain. Stay out here long enough and you may forget the real reason you came. Shaking her head, blue eyes drop to the ground. "Closure." She says first, "To help my..." Wait, why is she telling him this, its none of his business. "Why do you care.. thought you were digging a hole to lye in."
Ah, so she caught on! Why 'did' he care when he sat around, digging holes? The wolf kept his gaze on the fields, how they swayed like water. "I see the way you move, the tone in your voice," he said. "You need a listener impartial to the deeds and confrontations that arise within the pack you belong to...would I be right?" He slowly angled his head to gaze at her. "Closure is a powerful need, something that can drive anyone to almost any deed to obtain. And sometimes it backfires, painfully. Simply, it is in my interest to help you avoid that, since you've been so kind as to not growl, snarl, strut about, or demand my who's and what's like many wolves do."
"The paroles I keep have nothing to do with the pack I stand by." Her troubles stand by another and continue to do so till clarity is found. "I've been through my fair share of pains. I dont need you help to end them." Her tone determined and made up. Ears turning back hearing of his interests Althaea head shakes. "It is not in my interest to know who you are. Aggression only gets you hurt, and i'm not like other wolves." This, she stesp away from the wold with.
Helaku subtly frowned on this note, not because she didn't want to know who he was but rather the fact they had entered this conversation that ultimately ended up in the Land of Nowhere. Still, he remained focused on the plains. Yes, he wanted to know why she had talked this far if only to pull out now. "You 'did' address me first, after all," he said. "But if you're leaving...I only ask that visits here by the rest of your pack not become common for the interests of the horses, which ever pack you belong." His tone wasn't unkind. Here sat a wolf that tired of Alphas and Betas wanting their damn way so much.
Althaea tail flicks at his words as if to brush them away. She spoke what she did because she could. Now she wishes she hadn't said anything at all. "To address is to resolve ones curiosity. But I see now it not you that poses interest, its me." She looks to the wolf for only moments before turning away. "Though your interests are well meant, they are not needed." Tone slightly elevated, she calms putting distance between the two of them.
Helaku's eyes shifted to her when she turned away. And thus, this was why he didn't join a pack or accept offers. Ever since he found a few things regarding both packs, he wondered how he could ever fit in without some discomfort arising between members on his account. It was, after all, unavoidable. "My apologies," he said. "Perhaps I'm not needed after all."
Althaea says nothing so as to avoid making things worse between the unknown. Tail flicking back and forth, she gives one last look out across the plains before turning back the way she came. Turns out she wont find clarity out here afterall. Home is where she should return too and its home that she goes.
Helaku watched her go. What a shame. He couldn't help anyone. At least he made it clear that his ideals were in the horse's interests. Perhaps they'd appreciate that. Appreciation was appreciation even if not from a wolf. He recalled what he said to Kesh about pack life. "Whatever intention you have for me, Tobba, it is confusing," he said, mostly to himself but not out of ear range as he dug his claws into the dirt.
Tobba, a name she didn't know. Old Ute traditions have failed to be passed down over the generations and thus Althaea makes nothing of the name she should know very well. No look back, just a straight forward path to the forest. She had someone waiting for her, and she didn't want to keep him waiting forever.
And...boom. Helaku perked up and watched her all the way to the forest. As far as he was concerned he did his proper job, in a sense. Sure, it was nice seeing another wolf, but the horse had been overly concerned about more wolves in the plains. She was gone, problem solved for now and yet he found himself constantly eyeing that forest. Nah, they'd not want him. He continued digging out the old badger tunnel until it met his needs.