Post by Therdde on Aug 23, 2008 15:49:35 GMT -5
Characters:
Skelaghe - Female Wolf
Cottonpaws - Female Wolf
- Descending Vale -
With the return of autumn, Skelaghe is again on the mountain. It's almost biannual tradition now. Once in the autumn, and once in the spring. At least this autumn, she does not feel such a pressing need to make this visit a quick one. She will need to be back in the grasslands before the weather here becomes too inclimate, but other than that, her schedule is free. She has lost Helaku, which means she does not have him to care for, Conner is rapidly becoming an adult, Teketa is missing, Bodhi is visiting the dogs, and the dogs want nothing to do with her. Yes, this is a good time to take an extended trip, so instead of heading directly to Amaranth, she is cautiously traveling through Viridian territory. She has not been near here since the first time she came to the mountain, and her one distinguishing mark, the sun on her shoulder, is severely faded, so she might not be recognized by anyone at all, even someone who has seen her before. Better she be cautious than offend one of the very few groups who might still welcome her presence.
The lass is out in her lands, making sure things are ok? Not really. She's out on a walk because, one? She wants to find her idiot, the one who disappears like ice on the first days of Spring, and two? She needed some stretching! Her pups are old enough to survive some hours without their mother, right? Or so she hopes, gives her time to be out and enjoy some free time. Her steps are slow, careful and lets face it, bored in a way, the slow zigzag pacing across her lands just makes it evident that she's both looking for something and just wasting time. Heading towards the lake.
Skelaghe is not only cautious because she doesn't want to startle any of this land's inhabitants. It's also because she is accustomed to flat fields, not sloped land. Even the gentle slope leading to the valley is uncommon, and the last time she was on the mountain, she tore her pawpads up fiercely by walking too quickly. She'd prefer to avoid doing that again. She cannot yet hear another wolf's approach over the sounds of the stream, but she remains observant of her surroundings, listening, watching, and smelling for anyone nearby.
Mom always said that Viridian wolves were way better than other wolves, guess she was right! Living in the mountains makes any wolf grow tough and more capable of a good handful of things. Unlike the intruder, Cotton's nose wiggles a bit, there's a scent in the air that is not... Familiar, at least Cotton doesn't recognize it, it's new... The lass stops her tracks, lifting both head and tail as she looks about the lands, trying to find the source of this new scent.
Skelaghe continues walking for a moment after she has been noticed. It isn't until she actually spots another wolf in the distance that Skelaghe stops, and she immediately barks, announcing her presence and declaring her friendly intentions. No sneaking about, no attempts to go unnoticed. If she had wanted to go unnoticed, she would have remained away from the valley and just continued southward. Her posture may be difficult to analyze from the other wolf's current position, but it is very relaxed, passive. She stands straight and her head is held high, for now, but her tail is down and she isn't on edge.
Cottonpaws waits a good amount of seconds, thinking things through... And even if she's a little scared since dad is not with her to deal with this kind of thing, she decides to make her way towards the stranger. She keeps her tail up, trying to show some... Whatever, not really quite dominant in her posture, but the intention is what matters, "You do know this lands belong to Viridian wolves, right?" She says once she's close enough.
It has been a long time since Skelaghe has engaged in a formal greeting, but it seems appropriate here. As the other wolf approaches her and speaks, Skelaghe bows her head. If her intention were to fight, she would not put herself in such a vulnerable position, so it as much a sign of respect to a fellow wolf as it is a testiment to the fact that she can be trusted. Before raising her head, she says, "I do. I have been here once before."
Cottonpaws doesn't remember the stranger to be honest, but she's not in any position of calling her a liar. Stopping a fair and safe distance away from the other female, Cotton sits down on the ground, "In that special case... Welcome back to Viridian." She says with a warm tone, also offering a smile.
Skelaghe lifts her head with a smile when the other wolf greets her. She remains standing, a few steps back, for now. "Thank you. It has been a long time since I have been here. Your territory is beautiful." There is no envy in Skelaghe's tone, nothing to suggest she doing anything but praising the shewolf in front of her and the shewolf's packmates, present and former, for their good choice of a home. She did not want to join Viridian the last time she visited, and though she no longer has a former packmate to care for that has not changed. She has made too many ties to animals in the grasslands in order to leave them yet, because whether they need her or not, she needs them.
Cottonpaws knows! It's her home, so it IS beautiful indeed, not to mention that it's quiet, not dangerous and well kept, a safe place to live! Not like the danger swarming lands below her mountain! "Thank you." She says softly as she nods gracefully, compliments are always good and mom has always taught her to be grateful when such things are said, "I'm sorry but I have to ask... I don't remember you and you said you were here before, my name is Cottonpaws, my mother is Silver... But I still don't remember you, I'm sorry."
Is it possible that it has been so long since Skelaghe has been here that this is one of the pups Silver had mentioned might be entertained by one of Skelaghe's stories? The shewolf talking to her is obviously an adult, but it has been well over a year since Skelaghe was last here, so... In a polite tone, she answers, "There is no need to apologize. I never got a chance to meet any of your parents' children when I was here." Because she found Helaku, and everything was secondary to caring for him. "My name is Skelaghe. I have met your mother and your father, Silvan." At least, Skelaghe assumes that the male alpha at the time she was last here is Cottonpaw's father.
Cottonpaws nods a bit, she's proud to hear that. Silvan, her fake but loving father. Cotton nods slowly, standing up and taking another step closer to the stranger with name, "I'm still sorry." She whispers, feeling guilty for forgetting, "I also want to ask something else, you don't have to answer, it's mere curiosity... What made you come back?"
Skelaghe remains where she is, still relaxed, when Cottonpaws moves closer. Skelaghe is as social as any wolf, but not with strangers, so while she'll keep a respectful distance, she doesn't mind that distance being closed. The question, though, takes a moment to answer. What made her come back? Really, what was she hoping to do by coming here? She doesn't have an answer, at least not one that is easy to explain. Still, she tries. "I was just on my way to visit Amaranth. I met many there around the same time I met your parents, but I have kept in contact with the tribe better than with Viridian." That is reason enough for her to have decided to visit, but it goes beyond that. "It seemed like the right time to visit, while I am not burdened with other worries." Who knows? It might be her last chance, and she'd hate to have passed it up.
Cottonpaws freezes when she hears about Amaranth... She only knows what her mother tells her, and coming from Silver, things are never good when it comes to other packs, now Amaranth is a different story. And now that Skela says that she knows Amaranth, well, it does make Cotton wonder if mom lies or exagerates. Cotton walks past the other female, looking at the lake from afar, "Well, you're welcome to stay here for some time, at least until my mother says otherwise or---" Or accepts you in the pack is what she wanted to say, but she's not even sure the other female wants to join, "Or my father." uh huh, nice way to fix it!
Skelaghe turns to watch Cottonpaws, momentarily surprised by the other wolf's reaction to the name of the tribe. She knew the cougars had some distrust towards wolves, but it always seemed relatively easy to overcome, nothing like the distrust of dogs. Perhaps, though, there is more to the relationship between Amaranth and Viridian than simply the two ignoring one another. She wants to know more, but now is certainly not the time, so rather, she says, "I assure you, I will not be a burden. It was a pleasure to meet you, Cottonpaws." Since the other wolf seems keen on being elsewhere.
Cottonpaws is heading to the lake, and that means Skela either stays there or follows, mom and dad will eat her if she decides to go deeper into her lands! Her pacing is slow and still heading towards the lake, "You don't have to say that." She says with a smile, turning a little to see the other female, "No wolf is a burden, and specially not a friend of Viridian. I'll be around the lake, and be careful getting closer to the den if you're going that way."
Yes, there would be new pups by now, and probably still young enough that the Viridian wolves wouldn't want a stranger around them. It is understandable, and so Skelaghe nods and replies, "I will keep my distance." She is not, however, going to return to the lake immnediately. The memory of the last time she spent an extended period at the lake does not fill her with joy, and besides, there is water here. She will rest for a while and think about what to do next. After speaking, she sits.
Cottonpaws nods slowly, turning back to the lake and continuing her way, "Howl if you need anything Skela. I will be around." And then she quickens the pace a bit to get faster at the lake.
Skelaghe - Female Wolf
Cottonpaws - Female Wolf
- Descending Vale -
With the return of autumn, Skelaghe is again on the mountain. It's almost biannual tradition now. Once in the autumn, and once in the spring. At least this autumn, she does not feel such a pressing need to make this visit a quick one. She will need to be back in the grasslands before the weather here becomes too inclimate, but other than that, her schedule is free. She has lost Helaku, which means she does not have him to care for, Conner is rapidly becoming an adult, Teketa is missing, Bodhi is visiting the dogs, and the dogs want nothing to do with her. Yes, this is a good time to take an extended trip, so instead of heading directly to Amaranth, she is cautiously traveling through Viridian territory. She has not been near here since the first time she came to the mountain, and her one distinguishing mark, the sun on her shoulder, is severely faded, so she might not be recognized by anyone at all, even someone who has seen her before. Better she be cautious than offend one of the very few groups who might still welcome her presence.
The lass is out in her lands, making sure things are ok? Not really. She's out on a walk because, one? She wants to find her idiot, the one who disappears like ice on the first days of Spring, and two? She needed some stretching! Her pups are old enough to survive some hours without their mother, right? Or so she hopes, gives her time to be out and enjoy some free time. Her steps are slow, careful and lets face it, bored in a way, the slow zigzag pacing across her lands just makes it evident that she's both looking for something and just wasting time. Heading towards the lake.
Skelaghe is not only cautious because she doesn't want to startle any of this land's inhabitants. It's also because she is accustomed to flat fields, not sloped land. Even the gentle slope leading to the valley is uncommon, and the last time she was on the mountain, she tore her pawpads up fiercely by walking too quickly. She'd prefer to avoid doing that again. She cannot yet hear another wolf's approach over the sounds of the stream, but she remains observant of her surroundings, listening, watching, and smelling for anyone nearby.
Mom always said that Viridian wolves were way better than other wolves, guess she was right! Living in the mountains makes any wolf grow tough and more capable of a good handful of things. Unlike the intruder, Cotton's nose wiggles a bit, there's a scent in the air that is not... Familiar, at least Cotton doesn't recognize it, it's new... The lass stops her tracks, lifting both head and tail as she looks about the lands, trying to find the source of this new scent.
Skelaghe continues walking for a moment after she has been noticed. It isn't until she actually spots another wolf in the distance that Skelaghe stops, and she immediately barks, announcing her presence and declaring her friendly intentions. No sneaking about, no attempts to go unnoticed. If she had wanted to go unnoticed, she would have remained away from the valley and just continued southward. Her posture may be difficult to analyze from the other wolf's current position, but it is very relaxed, passive. She stands straight and her head is held high, for now, but her tail is down and she isn't on edge.
Cottonpaws waits a good amount of seconds, thinking things through... And even if she's a little scared since dad is not with her to deal with this kind of thing, she decides to make her way towards the stranger. She keeps her tail up, trying to show some... Whatever, not really quite dominant in her posture, but the intention is what matters, "You do know this lands belong to Viridian wolves, right?" She says once she's close enough.
It has been a long time since Skelaghe has engaged in a formal greeting, but it seems appropriate here. As the other wolf approaches her and speaks, Skelaghe bows her head. If her intention were to fight, she would not put herself in such a vulnerable position, so it as much a sign of respect to a fellow wolf as it is a testiment to the fact that she can be trusted. Before raising her head, she says, "I do. I have been here once before."
Cottonpaws doesn't remember the stranger to be honest, but she's not in any position of calling her a liar. Stopping a fair and safe distance away from the other female, Cotton sits down on the ground, "In that special case... Welcome back to Viridian." She says with a warm tone, also offering a smile.
Skelaghe lifts her head with a smile when the other wolf greets her. She remains standing, a few steps back, for now. "Thank you. It has been a long time since I have been here. Your territory is beautiful." There is no envy in Skelaghe's tone, nothing to suggest she doing anything but praising the shewolf in front of her and the shewolf's packmates, present and former, for their good choice of a home. She did not want to join Viridian the last time she visited, and though she no longer has a former packmate to care for that has not changed. She has made too many ties to animals in the grasslands in order to leave them yet, because whether they need her or not, she needs them.
Cottonpaws knows! It's her home, so it IS beautiful indeed, not to mention that it's quiet, not dangerous and well kept, a safe place to live! Not like the danger swarming lands below her mountain! "Thank you." She says softly as she nods gracefully, compliments are always good and mom has always taught her to be grateful when such things are said, "I'm sorry but I have to ask... I don't remember you and you said you were here before, my name is Cottonpaws, my mother is Silver... But I still don't remember you, I'm sorry."
Is it possible that it has been so long since Skelaghe has been here that this is one of the pups Silver had mentioned might be entertained by one of Skelaghe's stories? The shewolf talking to her is obviously an adult, but it has been well over a year since Skelaghe was last here, so... In a polite tone, she answers, "There is no need to apologize. I never got a chance to meet any of your parents' children when I was here." Because she found Helaku, and everything was secondary to caring for him. "My name is Skelaghe. I have met your mother and your father, Silvan." At least, Skelaghe assumes that the male alpha at the time she was last here is Cottonpaw's father.
Cottonpaws nods a bit, she's proud to hear that. Silvan, her fake but loving father. Cotton nods slowly, standing up and taking another step closer to the stranger with name, "I'm still sorry." She whispers, feeling guilty for forgetting, "I also want to ask something else, you don't have to answer, it's mere curiosity... What made you come back?"
Skelaghe remains where she is, still relaxed, when Cottonpaws moves closer. Skelaghe is as social as any wolf, but not with strangers, so while she'll keep a respectful distance, she doesn't mind that distance being closed. The question, though, takes a moment to answer. What made her come back? Really, what was she hoping to do by coming here? She doesn't have an answer, at least not one that is easy to explain. Still, she tries. "I was just on my way to visit Amaranth. I met many there around the same time I met your parents, but I have kept in contact with the tribe better than with Viridian." That is reason enough for her to have decided to visit, but it goes beyond that. "It seemed like the right time to visit, while I am not burdened with other worries." Who knows? It might be her last chance, and she'd hate to have passed it up.
Cottonpaws freezes when she hears about Amaranth... She only knows what her mother tells her, and coming from Silver, things are never good when it comes to other packs, now Amaranth is a different story. And now that Skela says that she knows Amaranth, well, it does make Cotton wonder if mom lies or exagerates. Cotton walks past the other female, looking at the lake from afar, "Well, you're welcome to stay here for some time, at least until my mother says otherwise or---" Or accepts you in the pack is what she wanted to say, but she's not even sure the other female wants to join, "Or my father." uh huh, nice way to fix it!
Skelaghe turns to watch Cottonpaws, momentarily surprised by the other wolf's reaction to the name of the tribe. She knew the cougars had some distrust towards wolves, but it always seemed relatively easy to overcome, nothing like the distrust of dogs. Perhaps, though, there is more to the relationship between Amaranth and Viridian than simply the two ignoring one another. She wants to know more, but now is certainly not the time, so rather, she says, "I assure you, I will not be a burden. It was a pleasure to meet you, Cottonpaws." Since the other wolf seems keen on being elsewhere.
Cottonpaws is heading to the lake, and that means Skela either stays there or follows, mom and dad will eat her if she decides to go deeper into her lands! Her pacing is slow and still heading towards the lake, "You don't have to say that." She says with a smile, turning a little to see the other female, "No wolf is a burden, and specially not a friend of Viridian. I'll be around the lake, and be careful getting closer to the den if you're going that way."
Yes, there would be new pups by now, and probably still young enough that the Viridian wolves wouldn't want a stranger around them. It is understandable, and so Skelaghe nods and replies, "I will keep my distance." She is not, however, going to return to the lake immnediately. The memory of the last time she spent an extended period at the lake does not fill her with joy, and besides, there is water here. She will rest for a while and think about what to do next. After speaking, she sits.
Cottonpaws nods slowly, turning back to the lake and continuing her way, "Howl if you need anything Skela. I will be around." And then she quickens the pace a bit to get faster at the lake.