Post by Therdde on Dec 1, 2008 18:25:42 GMT -5
Characters:
Skelaghe - Female Wolf
Ajax - Male Wolf
- Pristine Lake -
The sun has just recently risen over the horizon. Though Skelaghe and her companions have mostly stayed out of sight of the lake, since the smell of wolves in the area is simply too strong, it is the nearest source of water. In absence of rainfall in the past couple days, Skelaghe has returned to the lake in order to drink. She is alone, and cautious. She has never worried about traveling near Viridian before, but if their attitude towards dogs is anything like Lazuli's... Well, it's best that she keep her distance. She certainly smells strongly of the two dogs that have been traveling with her.
The lake is chilly, offering a perfect place for Ajax to drink after a walk around the Viridian territory. The male, just newly set into the position of Beta, is still growing used to such a title. Because of the lack of necessity for things that wolves in his place must do at the moment, the wolf has simply been spending his time recently growing familiar with the area; fortunately, it's not difficult for him to recall the borders from the previous times spent here, so long ago. Now, Ajax lifts his head from the lake, glancing around as the water drips from his muzzle in glistening drops. A scent fills the area; not merely wolf, but.. something else? Most certainly canine, but it disturbs him. Ears perked, the male stands stock still, eyes searching for the cause of such a smell.
As Skelaghe catches sight of the male wolf by the lake, she takes a deep breath and glances back to to south, rather grateful that Sketch and Vincent were still sleeping when she decided to get a drink. She remains where she is for a moment, not certain she's up for another potentially stressful encounter. It doesn't take her long to silently chide herself and look back ahead, though, after which she gives a low bark as a greeting, remaining where she is. Her tail is lowered, her posture relaxed, and though she has to force even that much, she certainly has no intention to attack or become violent.
Emerald eyes roam the trees, finally alighting upon the form of the female wolf. Ajax's ears splay back fractionally, his mind searching for any indication of what this alien scent is that seems to linger on the stranger. When the faint sound of her barking greeting reaches his ears, Ajax begins trotting towards her, returning with a greeting of his own that is distinctly lined with a guarded tone. Cottonpaws never got around to letting him know what to do should an unfamiliar wolf come into the territory, but he does have some instinct inside of that large body. The Beta nears the female, his eyes focusing upon her intently; scrutinizing. "Who are you?" His voice comes through in the faint gray-ish darkness that is now looming slowly into the valley not unfriendly, though his lips don't quite closes over his teeth completely, leaving it in a slightly bared expression.
Skelaghe lowers her head in a slight bow. Not so far that she can't keep an eye on Ajax, but the respectful gesture is clear enough. For a creature as friendly and sociable as Skelaghe, the desire to flee as Ajax comes closer is both surprising and far too strong for her liking. "My name is Skelaghe. I am not a stranger to these parts." She is not of Viridian, nor would she consider that her relationship with Viridian is strong enough to be considered friendly, but her statement serves a purpose, if only to tell him that, yes, she knows perfectly well where she is.
The purpose of her words comes through strongly enough to the male that he can allow himself ease in the stiff posture he previously held, somewhat unconciously. Ajax shifts his legs, stretching them unobtrusively as he inclines his head, viewing the female with a look of neutrality. "Skelaghe," he begins, running the name on his tongue as if making a simultaneous mental note. "Not a stranger? Then you must know you are on Viridian soil now." The female certainly does not appear to be oblivious to such a fact. He lifts an eyebrow, considering her. "What is your business here?" Normally a friendly wolf himself, Ajax finds it strange to hear the words coming from his mouth.. so cold and brisque.. it sounds as if they are coming from someone else.. not himself.
"A drink. I am recovering from a long journey, and I do not have access to any other sources of water." At no point does Skelaghe assume that the wolf before her is new to Viridian. She only ever met three Viridian wolves, and it has been over the course of... Two years? Probably close to that, though she is no longer certain. "I have been further into Viridian, with the permission of your alphas, in the past. I did not figure it would be a problem."
Ajax now lets himself relax further; not only is she not intending to continue further into the valley, but she /has/ before, under Silver and Silvan's permission. Being as strict as they had been about their borders, even to those /inside/ wishing to go out, he had little worry about this wolf before him now. "Ah," He nods briefly, letting his previously serious gaze now soften slightly, yet remaining constantly alert, stepping aside in a gesture that makes it obvious she's free to proceed without his scrunity. Still curious, he wishes to inquire further, but refrains for now, letting her drink first while his questions form.
When the males steps to the side, Skelaghe says, "Thank you." She then continues to walk toward the lake, though she keeps an ear perked in the male wolf's direction. She is not inherently distrustful, not really, but the circumstances surrounding her journey here have left her strained. Once she reaches the lake, she lowers her head to drink from the cool water there.
He walks in her direction at a slow, leisurely pace as she drinks, allowing her some time to drink, before a faint breeze blows across the top of the valley, causing a rush of the cool wind to run through the area and across the lake. That scent that had struck him so strongly initially now refreshes itself in his brain, and Ajax now allows himself question the female, stepping to the side to glance at the side of her profile while she drinks. "You smell of.. something foreign to me.. " he admits, coughing as he inhales again of the pungent odor. "What is that scent that clings to you so strongly?"
If they are foreign to Ajax, then he is unlikely to have formed a strong opinion of them, one way or the other. After he speaks, Skelaghe lifts her head to answer. "My companions. My companions are dogs." She says nothing else, but she watches Ajax, watching for any negative expression from the other wolf.
Dogs? He's heard of those.. smelled them.. but never /seen/ one. The mixture of Skelaghe's unfamiliar scent with the dogs' confuses him, but now that she indentifies it, Ajax /can/ faintly detect that unusual odor that he's caught around the edges of the forest when he had explored near the Lazuli. But he also knows wolves and dogs do not typically hold the same company. /Friendly/ company, anyways. Tilting his head to the side, shining green eyes studying her, the Beta hmms, wondering if it was out of his place to ask a question that could be so prodding. After a moment, he gives in. "You are traveling with dogs?" It's vague, but obviously leading towards his point.. /why/?
"Yes, I am. We have much in common, both generally and specifically." As long as it is only curiosity, Skelaghe is not troubled by this conversation. Were Ajax's tone to give away contempt or anger, though... The conversation would quickly be over, since Skelaghe is not certain she could deal with an argument, right now. "My companions... My /friends/... and I were driven from our home. That we are not the same species does not change our joined condition."
This concept intrigues the male. He's always heard of dogs being a distinctly inferior species from the wolves; worthy of the wolves' distain. Never before had he considered them, even possibly, equal. Or decent traveling companions. Ajax lets his eyebrows come together in deep concentration, thoughts running through his head in random directions, yet manages to still press into the subject once more, interested in another aspect of her words. "Where are you going with the dogs, that you would find safer rest?" He may be newly appointed Beta, but he's still young at heart, and eager for any knowledge he might get a chance to wrap his mind around.
Skelaghe cannot actually answer that. Not really. Ideally, they will find the rest they need in Amaranth, but that isn't a guarantee. "For the next couple days, we will be staying not far from here, to the south. After that, we will decide what to do for a longe rperiod of time." There's no sense in lying. If Ajax really wanted to find out, he could just track her scent, after all.
He follows her spoken general directions with his eyes, imagining the path mentally and where they might end up going in such a direction. Ajax has ventured all over these hills, and the only thing over in /that/ direction are.. the cougars? But no, they wouldn't be heading that way.. he shakes the thoughts from his head with the phyically gesture, his pelt rustling with the movement of his head. And if they /were/.. well. Good luck! Ajax exhales, stepping to the side very slightly to avoid breathing in the strong dog smell emanating from the female, and glances towards the main of the Viridian, his ears remaining turned towards Skelaghe. Then he turns back to her, a polite smile rising to his muzzle as if thanking for her patience with his questions, and then replaces into a silence, standing a distance away as he waits for her to finish. He surely couldn't leave her alone in the territory that is now /his/ as well, now could he?
THe male wolf doesn't ask another question, so after a moment, Skelaghe stands fully upright. "If there's nothing else you want, I should probably return. They will be waking soon." She intends to spend the entire day doing nothing more than lying down. As far as she knows, the cougar Chieftain will not be stopping by until tomorrow evening, and she will appreciate the chance to finally spend a day relaxing, at least as well as she can.
Ajax allows his to head to dip towards her; finally, manners appear to be making their way into the veins of the male, only with much persuasion from his new packmates. Ears rotated towards the female as she speaks, Ajax begins to make as if preparing to lead to her back, if she starts to move as well, speaking as he does so. "There is nothing else," he states, however dishonestly. He'd love to drill her with question after question, in reality. "I wish you good travels, wherever you are going." The male offers her a smile, as if attempting to prove he isn't as cold as he had initially come across. If he had the authority to say so, he would invite the wolf and her companions.. no matter how offensive they smell.. to stay here for as long as they needed. Alas, such authority is not his; even if it were, he just may be the only wolf in the Viridian who would appreciate such guests.
Skelaghe does not immediately object when Ajax begins to walk with her. Instead, she asks, "Would you mind if I asked your name?" If nothing else, it could become important in the future, should she find herself this near to Viridian lands again, so she can give the name of yet another Viridian wolf who could vouch that she is not violent. More, though, she would prefer her farewell to be at least a little bit personalized.
Of course.. and here he was thinking he was being so suave and such. And. He forgot his name. Shaking his head briskly, the Beta offers a light chuckle, obviously sheepish. "Ajax," he replies, his voice lighter now than previously. His emerald eyes appear brighter, more friendly. Perhaps her mention of the alphas letting her into the territory brought it on.. or maybe it was something about the way she didn't mind traveling with the other canines. He was impressed, if not merely curious. And grateful for her patience with him, no doubt. Following alongside the she-wolf, Ajax continues. "I apologize; I am not familiar with many of the customs of those in the area. I am newly arrived." And newly Beta. But she doesn't need to know that. Yet.
Skelaghe chuckles lightly and says, "Don't worry. I remember well what it was like to be new to the area." Does she? Sure, but most of her feelings about being new to the area were centered around hope and purpose, not being unfamiliar with the customs. Now, she has temporarily lost some of both her hope and her purpose... And she is more uncertain about the customs and prejudices here than she has ever been. "It has been a pleasure to meet and speak with you, Ajax," she adds, preparing to say her farewells.
Perhaps she does; he wouldn't know, however. Getting used to any place is difficult for the newcomer, and being thrown into the postition he is in now only forces him to grow used to the land at a pace beyond his normal tendency. But then she speaks again, and he turns. "As it has with you," the male nods, his eyes focused upon the female, taking care to match her pace. At the place where he had first spotted the she-wolf, he now pauses, and allows her to go on by herself. "Be safe," he adds, finally commenting on that which has been on his mind since she hinted at it: "The cougars are not always friendly towards newcomers."
Skelaghe stops walking, briefly. She is thankful that Ajax will apparently stay here without any further hints, since she doesn't want to subject her companions to any more stress than she already has. "Thank you, but do not be concerned. I know the cougar tribe well, and we have permission to remain near their border for at least a couple days." Skelaghe is no stranger to other wolves being concerned about her affiliation with the cougar tribe, but it has never stricken her as odd. She hunts outside their borders. She does not compete with them for food. They have no reason to respond to her with violence. "Until we meet again, may the spirits watch over you, Ajax."
The male begins to turn back towards the Viridian, his attention still focused upon Skelaghe. She's proved to be anything but a threat, but he still feels as though he can't quite turn away yet.. not until she really leaves. Cotton would kill him, if she knew. She'll probably kill him just as it is, merely for not hearing of this meeting until later.. for he won't be able to disturb her until morning. But about the cougars... well, they'll have to see about that, hm? He was fortunate to have been given leave to be on their lands last time, and that was mainly due to his rememberance of Maulisho. But he mentally returns her blessing, the smile still faint upon his maw. "Farewell, Skelaghe." He remains there as she leaves, but once he feels it safe, he makes his way back towards the valley for the night.
Skelaghe does not delay any further. Rather, she continues along her way, feeling a little better after this encounter. If staying in Amaranth does not pan out... Well, just maybe, there are still other options there. She will have to give it some thought, but for now, returning to her companions is her priorities.
Skelaghe - Female Wolf
Ajax - Male Wolf
- Pristine Lake -
The sun has just recently risen over the horizon. Though Skelaghe and her companions have mostly stayed out of sight of the lake, since the smell of wolves in the area is simply too strong, it is the nearest source of water. In absence of rainfall in the past couple days, Skelaghe has returned to the lake in order to drink. She is alone, and cautious. She has never worried about traveling near Viridian before, but if their attitude towards dogs is anything like Lazuli's... Well, it's best that she keep her distance. She certainly smells strongly of the two dogs that have been traveling with her.
The lake is chilly, offering a perfect place for Ajax to drink after a walk around the Viridian territory. The male, just newly set into the position of Beta, is still growing used to such a title. Because of the lack of necessity for things that wolves in his place must do at the moment, the wolf has simply been spending his time recently growing familiar with the area; fortunately, it's not difficult for him to recall the borders from the previous times spent here, so long ago. Now, Ajax lifts his head from the lake, glancing around as the water drips from his muzzle in glistening drops. A scent fills the area; not merely wolf, but.. something else? Most certainly canine, but it disturbs him. Ears perked, the male stands stock still, eyes searching for the cause of such a smell.
As Skelaghe catches sight of the male wolf by the lake, she takes a deep breath and glances back to to south, rather grateful that Sketch and Vincent were still sleeping when she decided to get a drink. She remains where she is for a moment, not certain she's up for another potentially stressful encounter. It doesn't take her long to silently chide herself and look back ahead, though, after which she gives a low bark as a greeting, remaining where she is. Her tail is lowered, her posture relaxed, and though she has to force even that much, she certainly has no intention to attack or become violent.
Emerald eyes roam the trees, finally alighting upon the form of the female wolf. Ajax's ears splay back fractionally, his mind searching for any indication of what this alien scent is that seems to linger on the stranger. When the faint sound of her barking greeting reaches his ears, Ajax begins trotting towards her, returning with a greeting of his own that is distinctly lined with a guarded tone. Cottonpaws never got around to letting him know what to do should an unfamiliar wolf come into the territory, but he does have some instinct inside of that large body. The Beta nears the female, his eyes focusing upon her intently; scrutinizing. "Who are you?" His voice comes through in the faint gray-ish darkness that is now looming slowly into the valley not unfriendly, though his lips don't quite closes over his teeth completely, leaving it in a slightly bared expression.
Skelaghe lowers her head in a slight bow. Not so far that she can't keep an eye on Ajax, but the respectful gesture is clear enough. For a creature as friendly and sociable as Skelaghe, the desire to flee as Ajax comes closer is both surprising and far too strong for her liking. "My name is Skelaghe. I am not a stranger to these parts." She is not of Viridian, nor would she consider that her relationship with Viridian is strong enough to be considered friendly, but her statement serves a purpose, if only to tell him that, yes, she knows perfectly well where she is.
The purpose of her words comes through strongly enough to the male that he can allow himself ease in the stiff posture he previously held, somewhat unconciously. Ajax shifts his legs, stretching them unobtrusively as he inclines his head, viewing the female with a look of neutrality. "Skelaghe," he begins, running the name on his tongue as if making a simultaneous mental note. "Not a stranger? Then you must know you are on Viridian soil now." The female certainly does not appear to be oblivious to such a fact. He lifts an eyebrow, considering her. "What is your business here?" Normally a friendly wolf himself, Ajax finds it strange to hear the words coming from his mouth.. so cold and brisque.. it sounds as if they are coming from someone else.. not himself.
"A drink. I am recovering from a long journey, and I do not have access to any other sources of water." At no point does Skelaghe assume that the wolf before her is new to Viridian. She only ever met three Viridian wolves, and it has been over the course of... Two years? Probably close to that, though she is no longer certain. "I have been further into Viridian, with the permission of your alphas, in the past. I did not figure it would be a problem."
Ajax now lets himself relax further; not only is she not intending to continue further into the valley, but she /has/ before, under Silver and Silvan's permission. Being as strict as they had been about their borders, even to those /inside/ wishing to go out, he had little worry about this wolf before him now. "Ah," He nods briefly, letting his previously serious gaze now soften slightly, yet remaining constantly alert, stepping aside in a gesture that makes it obvious she's free to proceed without his scrunity. Still curious, he wishes to inquire further, but refrains for now, letting her drink first while his questions form.
When the males steps to the side, Skelaghe says, "Thank you." She then continues to walk toward the lake, though she keeps an ear perked in the male wolf's direction. She is not inherently distrustful, not really, but the circumstances surrounding her journey here have left her strained. Once she reaches the lake, she lowers her head to drink from the cool water there.
He walks in her direction at a slow, leisurely pace as she drinks, allowing her some time to drink, before a faint breeze blows across the top of the valley, causing a rush of the cool wind to run through the area and across the lake. That scent that had struck him so strongly initially now refreshes itself in his brain, and Ajax now allows himself question the female, stepping to the side to glance at the side of her profile while she drinks. "You smell of.. something foreign to me.. " he admits, coughing as he inhales again of the pungent odor. "What is that scent that clings to you so strongly?"
If they are foreign to Ajax, then he is unlikely to have formed a strong opinion of them, one way or the other. After he speaks, Skelaghe lifts her head to answer. "My companions. My companions are dogs." She says nothing else, but she watches Ajax, watching for any negative expression from the other wolf.
Dogs? He's heard of those.. smelled them.. but never /seen/ one. The mixture of Skelaghe's unfamiliar scent with the dogs' confuses him, but now that she indentifies it, Ajax /can/ faintly detect that unusual odor that he's caught around the edges of the forest when he had explored near the Lazuli. But he also knows wolves and dogs do not typically hold the same company. /Friendly/ company, anyways. Tilting his head to the side, shining green eyes studying her, the Beta hmms, wondering if it was out of his place to ask a question that could be so prodding. After a moment, he gives in. "You are traveling with dogs?" It's vague, but obviously leading towards his point.. /why/?
"Yes, I am. We have much in common, both generally and specifically." As long as it is only curiosity, Skelaghe is not troubled by this conversation. Were Ajax's tone to give away contempt or anger, though... The conversation would quickly be over, since Skelaghe is not certain she could deal with an argument, right now. "My companions... My /friends/... and I were driven from our home. That we are not the same species does not change our joined condition."
This concept intrigues the male. He's always heard of dogs being a distinctly inferior species from the wolves; worthy of the wolves' distain. Never before had he considered them, even possibly, equal. Or decent traveling companions. Ajax lets his eyebrows come together in deep concentration, thoughts running through his head in random directions, yet manages to still press into the subject once more, interested in another aspect of her words. "Where are you going with the dogs, that you would find safer rest?" He may be newly appointed Beta, but he's still young at heart, and eager for any knowledge he might get a chance to wrap his mind around.
Skelaghe cannot actually answer that. Not really. Ideally, they will find the rest they need in Amaranth, but that isn't a guarantee. "For the next couple days, we will be staying not far from here, to the south. After that, we will decide what to do for a longe rperiod of time." There's no sense in lying. If Ajax really wanted to find out, he could just track her scent, after all.
He follows her spoken general directions with his eyes, imagining the path mentally and where they might end up going in such a direction. Ajax has ventured all over these hills, and the only thing over in /that/ direction are.. the cougars? But no, they wouldn't be heading that way.. he shakes the thoughts from his head with the phyically gesture, his pelt rustling with the movement of his head. And if they /were/.. well. Good luck! Ajax exhales, stepping to the side very slightly to avoid breathing in the strong dog smell emanating from the female, and glances towards the main of the Viridian, his ears remaining turned towards Skelaghe. Then he turns back to her, a polite smile rising to his muzzle as if thanking for her patience with his questions, and then replaces into a silence, standing a distance away as he waits for her to finish. He surely couldn't leave her alone in the territory that is now /his/ as well, now could he?
THe male wolf doesn't ask another question, so after a moment, Skelaghe stands fully upright. "If there's nothing else you want, I should probably return. They will be waking soon." She intends to spend the entire day doing nothing more than lying down. As far as she knows, the cougar Chieftain will not be stopping by until tomorrow evening, and she will appreciate the chance to finally spend a day relaxing, at least as well as she can.
Ajax allows his to head to dip towards her; finally, manners appear to be making their way into the veins of the male, only with much persuasion from his new packmates. Ears rotated towards the female as she speaks, Ajax begins to make as if preparing to lead to her back, if she starts to move as well, speaking as he does so. "There is nothing else," he states, however dishonestly. He'd love to drill her with question after question, in reality. "I wish you good travels, wherever you are going." The male offers her a smile, as if attempting to prove he isn't as cold as he had initially come across. If he had the authority to say so, he would invite the wolf and her companions.. no matter how offensive they smell.. to stay here for as long as they needed. Alas, such authority is not his; even if it were, he just may be the only wolf in the Viridian who would appreciate such guests.
Skelaghe does not immediately object when Ajax begins to walk with her. Instead, she asks, "Would you mind if I asked your name?" If nothing else, it could become important in the future, should she find herself this near to Viridian lands again, so she can give the name of yet another Viridian wolf who could vouch that she is not violent. More, though, she would prefer her farewell to be at least a little bit personalized.
Of course.. and here he was thinking he was being so suave and such. And. He forgot his name. Shaking his head briskly, the Beta offers a light chuckle, obviously sheepish. "Ajax," he replies, his voice lighter now than previously. His emerald eyes appear brighter, more friendly. Perhaps her mention of the alphas letting her into the territory brought it on.. or maybe it was something about the way she didn't mind traveling with the other canines. He was impressed, if not merely curious. And grateful for her patience with him, no doubt. Following alongside the she-wolf, Ajax continues. "I apologize; I am not familiar with many of the customs of those in the area. I am newly arrived." And newly Beta. But she doesn't need to know that. Yet.
Skelaghe chuckles lightly and says, "Don't worry. I remember well what it was like to be new to the area." Does she? Sure, but most of her feelings about being new to the area were centered around hope and purpose, not being unfamiliar with the customs. Now, she has temporarily lost some of both her hope and her purpose... And she is more uncertain about the customs and prejudices here than she has ever been. "It has been a pleasure to meet and speak with you, Ajax," she adds, preparing to say her farewells.
Perhaps she does; he wouldn't know, however. Getting used to any place is difficult for the newcomer, and being thrown into the postition he is in now only forces him to grow used to the land at a pace beyond his normal tendency. But then she speaks again, and he turns. "As it has with you," the male nods, his eyes focused upon the female, taking care to match her pace. At the place where he had first spotted the she-wolf, he now pauses, and allows her to go on by herself. "Be safe," he adds, finally commenting on that which has been on his mind since she hinted at it: "The cougars are not always friendly towards newcomers."
Skelaghe stops walking, briefly. She is thankful that Ajax will apparently stay here without any further hints, since she doesn't want to subject her companions to any more stress than she already has. "Thank you, but do not be concerned. I know the cougar tribe well, and we have permission to remain near their border for at least a couple days." Skelaghe is no stranger to other wolves being concerned about her affiliation with the cougar tribe, but it has never stricken her as odd. She hunts outside their borders. She does not compete with them for food. They have no reason to respond to her with violence. "Until we meet again, may the spirits watch over you, Ajax."
The male begins to turn back towards the Viridian, his attention still focused upon Skelaghe. She's proved to be anything but a threat, but he still feels as though he can't quite turn away yet.. not until she really leaves. Cotton would kill him, if she knew. She'll probably kill him just as it is, merely for not hearing of this meeting until later.. for he won't be able to disturb her until morning. But about the cougars... well, they'll have to see about that, hm? He was fortunate to have been given leave to be on their lands last time, and that was mainly due to his rememberance of Maulisho. But he mentally returns her blessing, the smile still faint upon his maw. "Farewell, Skelaghe." He remains there as she leaves, but once he feels it safe, he makes his way back towards the valley for the night.
Skelaghe does not delay any further. Rather, she continues along her way, feeling a little better after this encounter. If staying in Amaranth does not pan out... Well, just maybe, there are still other options there. She will have to give it some thought, but for now, returning to her companions is her priorities.