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Post by Ravoshra on Feb 19, 2017 1:48:00 GMT
The scent of pine and fresh mountain air filled his nose as Aurek strolled through the forest. His paws landed in a bed of dead, brown needles with each step, so soft compared to the cold and jagged rocks he’d crossed only hours ago. He had been following a narrow game trail ever since descending into the tree line. So far, however, no sign of game.
Blue eyes took in the trees surrounding him. The firs were tall and sturdy, conical in shape, their thick boughs drooping downward. More than once he had to duck under an overhanging limb or push one carefully out of the way with his spear. He tried his best not to get too close; washing sap out of his coat was the last thing he wanted to do.
Just as he was beginning to pick up on a promising scent, he saw it—there, not even a meter away, a large tree had been denuded. Someone had carefully stripped the limbs and bark off the lower trunk of the tree. The white, naked wood stood out like a sore thumb in this forest of dark and brown and green. It could only mean one thing: he was standing at the edge of pack territory.
Almost as if merely observing the border would bring an angry alpha down upon him, Aurek glanced around, tail swishing in agitation. He adjusted his grip on his spear and wondered what to do. The first option was to turn around and go back the way he came… but he didn’t fancy the idea of retreating back up the mountain range. The second option was to walk the border and make his way around. This, of course, meant he would run the risk of running into a pack member anyway.
The third option was the most logical; he had to announce his presence. It was always best to be upfront and honest with packs and their leaders. All he wanted to do was pass through, anyway.
Swallowing a sigh, Aurek lifted his muzzle skyward and howled out to the heavens. With any luck, someone would be close by—maybe even someone in charge.
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Post by Cyn on Feb 19, 2017 2:26:16 GMT
Periwen was making her way from what she thinks of as the back of her territory, the border that butts up to the mountains and if the game trails are followed properly lead directly to the center of the pack land. Because of it's proximity to the homes and while at the moment she was the only resident in Atheria She was determined to keep her land and it's future people safe from outside forces. While not exactly skipping she moved with a pleasant bounce in her step, streams of sunlight making their way to the forest floor and painting rich images of light on the path before her. While it was still winter the end was near and she could already see tips of spring flowers making their way out of the dirt and leaves, soon she knew she would be able to replenish many of her stores that have grown sparse thanks to the cold snow that fell so heavily just weeks before.
She had just slowed to stop and examine the little green life making its way to the surface, squatting down and reaching out to dust away debris when a crisp call hit her ears. Periwen froze in place, daring not to move for fear of contaminating the sound as she sought to determine who and where it had come from. Her land was often a pass through point and while many who stop leave others have a habit of coming back. Was it one of the wanderers? No, the voice was not known to her and it wasn't far. In fact she was fairly certain she had just missed the new arrival by only minutes. Slowly the cream and copper female stood and turned in the direction from which she had come. She moved with a purpose now, the bounce gone from her step as she built herself up and prepared for really anything and anyone she may encounter.
Periwen didn't need to go far before she could see the golden pelt of what was either a wolf or a jackal, a few more steps and she would know for sure. 'Darn these trees blocking my view.' She thought jokingly to herself while knowing full well the offered just as much protection as they did the stranger, perhaps more so because her coloration allowed her to blend in with her surroundings. Indeed just a few more steps and there he was, a tall but thin golden male wolf. Before speaking she did her best to make a quick once over glance looking for weaponry and threatening body language but instead she thought he had a rather kind face though judging by his physique he didn't stay in one place for long and then of course there was his spear, but that's to be expected. In fact she would be more concerned if he didn't carry a weapon, she herself had a dapper strapped to her thigh just in case.
"Hello there and welcome to the border of Atheria. My name is Periwen and I am the Alpha here, and you are?" She watched him closely, curious about his reaction. She hadn't said anything Earth shattering but many didn't believe someone as little as she was could lead and defend a pack, others tried to butter her up and both reactions were equally annoying. She didn't know much, ok really anything about the male before her but she suspected he would go neither of those routes.
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Post by Ravoshra on Feb 19, 2017 2:39:05 GMT
Aurek was surprised at how quickly another canine arrived on the scene, but the most emotion his face showed was the quirk of a single brow. He wondered, briefly, if he had been followed but quickly discarded the idea. Surely he would've noticed had anyone been tracking him. Then again, he hadn't noticed her until the last minute, with all these damnable trees. With a bit of a mental shrug, he allowed a small smile to tug at his lips as the female introduced herself. Aware of the fact he was also holding a weapon, he grabbed his spear with both hands, planted it tip-down in the dirt, and casually leaned against it.
His bright blue eyes swept over her form, just the once, and he nodded his head in greeting. She was shorter than him by perhaps half a foot, maybe less, and he automatically slouched in response. "Ma'am," he said as he nodded, "You can call me Aurek. Pleased to meet you."
His mama had taught him manners; it was time to dust them off.
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Post by Cyn on Feb 19, 2017 2:58:33 GMT
Periwen watched as he put the spear down into the ground and couldn't help but think that was a very mindful move and one she respected a great deal. Other than an initial flick of the brow her sudden appearance and a slight hunch in his posture earned her no other reaction and she was actually quite alright with this.
"Well it is a pleasure to meet you Aurek, now for me to be nosey, what business or intentions do you have here?."
While her tone was initially friendly and all at ease it switched instantly to all business and no nonsense. Again she had her eyes trained upon him, ready to read him though he gave very little to read thus far. If only she could get a fluid conversation rolling to really and properly observe him.
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Post by Ravoshra on Feb 19, 2017 3:08:58 GMT
His eyes narrowed ever so slightly, but he knew it was her duty -- and right -- as an alpha to question all who entered her land. He gestured around at the thick forest surrounding them with a lazy wave of his golden-furred arm.
"Well, ma'am, I was trying to find my way out of this here forest," he said. "Didn't know I'd run into you or your land. I guess I don't have any business being here, but I'd be much obliged if you'll let me pass through." He grinned, lips pulling back to reveal a genuine smile. "Doubly so if you happen to know any good fishin' spots around here."
Ah, his favorite pastime. If her land was any good for fishing, he just might ask to stay around for a while. Joining packs wasn't exactly his thing, but even a loner like him got tired of traveling all the time. His journey was growing long, and it was almost time for a rest. He just needed to find the right place. Perhaps this meeting would turn out to be a blessing in disguise.
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Post by Cyn on Feb 19, 2017 3:28:46 GMT
'The manners on this one!' She thought to herself smiling internally but externally keeping a straight face while listening interested in what he had to say. When he finished what must be a speech for him she allowed her smile to show externally as well.
"Well Aurek I've got some good news and some bad news. The bad news is we're in the middle of the forest, it's just a bit of a walk more before you're out but that would bring you to the village of my pack. Trying to go around my land will just get you even more trees. The good news is my village has a river that runs through it and leads straight to a nice lake full of all sorts of fish. If you'd like to take a rest from your travels and promise to be on your best of behavior you are welcome to borrow an empty hut and help yourself to some fish."
Periwen knew it was only a matter of time before he would discover she was the Alpha of a pack of 1 but she would not give that information away readily. So far he was well mannered and seemed to have honest intentions but to clue him in on her vulnerability so far from her real weapons simply would not do.
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Post by Ravoshra on Feb 19, 2017 3:48:58 GMT
A river! And a lake! Well, not too surprising. He'd figured all the snow melt up in the mountains would have to go somewhere, and it only made sense that at least some of it ran off into Periwen's lands. There weren't too many packs that settled on land with no water, after all. He returned her smile with another one of his own, only too happy at the idea of some rest and some fishing.
Aurek took his spear out of the ground and cradled in the crook of his arm, keeping the piercing end pointed at the ground. With the smallest wags of his brown-tipped tail, he briefly bowed his head toward the female alpha. "Well, that's the best news I've heard in a while. I promise I'm not one for trouble. I'm a simple kind of guy, ma'am. I won't even need one of your huts -- if you'll have me, that is. The open air and the water, that's all I need, and I'm happy."
And it was true. He hated sleeping indoors or even being indoors in general. A wolf was meant to live out in nature, in the wild. At least, that was how Aurek himself felt. It was certainly where he was the happiest.
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Post by Cyn on Feb 19, 2017 4:08:24 GMT
When he said he wasn't one fore trouble and was fairly simple she didn't doubt it, even the lifting of his spear did not cause her to start. She watched as a smile spread across his muzzle and a gentle flick of his tail signaled his pleasure.
"Well you sound easy enough to keep happy. If you'd like to follow me I would enjoy showing you around a bit. The village is just throw the trees, in fact if you get lost find the stream and follow it East and you'll run smack dab into town, continue following it and you'll find yourself at the lake. Should you not feel like treking to the lake and you have a net on hand you can toss it off the side of one of our bridges and you should have no trouble catching a meal. Look at me, flapping my jaws but going nowhere. Shall me?"
Periwen turned to the side, gesturing with her right arm and hand deeper into the trees and back from the direction she had appeared. She would of course lead the way but hated to begin and leave him behind, seems rather a rude thing to do as well and he has been nothing but polite. Thinking the walk would be an excellent opportunity to get to know him better she began to make a mental list of questions she had for him though fully prepared to answer any he may have for her in turn.
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Post by Ravoshra on Feb 19, 2017 4:20:20 GMT
"Well, no net on hand, I tend to travel pretty light," Aurek said with a shrug of his shoulders. At her gesture, he moved forward until he was standing next to her. "Lead the way, ma'am!"
In fact, the only thing he carried was his spear. It was a simple, unadorned weapon, with a large stone head sharpened to a deadly edge. He wore nothing except a buckskin loin cloth and a leather bracer around his right forearm. He was a simple wolf of simple tastes.
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Post by Cyn on Feb 19, 2017 4:34:24 GMT
He moved easily enough and in seconds was by her side, at mention of not having a net Periwen shrugged. At his mentioning of her leading the way she began to walk, certain he would keep up and perhaps they could enjoy a decent conversation.
"Not a big deal, you can borrow a pack net if you're interested. You do seem to travel rather lightly, I myself try not to get too far from home without my tool belt. Today I was just refreshing the border when I heard your call, you must have shown up just as I was headed back home."
There was a pause in her speech as she tried to decide how best to question him without sounding like an interrogator and also in preparation for return questions though she wasn't so sure he would have any.
"So you travel all over? No destination in mind?"
She thought this a good way to start, only time would tell if she was right.
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Post by Ravoshra on Feb 19, 2017 14:12:11 GMT
He followed her into the trees, staying just a few paces behind her as she chattered. It was nice to meet an alpha willing to trust him -- and a female at that. Some packs were... well, less than friendly. Not the he blamed them. Trusting an unknown stranger to have nothing but pure intentions was a lot to ask.
There was a slight lull in conversation. He hoped they could enjoy the remainder of the walk in silence, but alas, it wasn't meant to be. Periwen was proving to be something of an extrovert. He didn't hate people who enjoying talking. It was more the fact that he just hated talking, period.
Aurek's shoulders rolled in a shrug. Almost as quickly, he realized she probably wouldn't see the motion, what with him walking behind her. "Yeah," he said. "Just wherever my paws take me, really." Then, because it was the polite thing to do (and he could practically hear his mama's voice telling him to be nice), he asked, "What about you? How long has your pack been settled in these parts?"
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Post by Cyn on Feb 20, 2017 3:07:54 GMT
Periwen carried on walking, trusting he would follow but also listening to his steps and the movement of his fur for any signal that danger was coming from behind. So far nothing. So instead she listened to his response and oh what a response it was. It made absolutely no sense to her and she doubted it ever could but then she was most happy here where she had happy memories and dreams of storing the pack land to greatness. There was a moment of silence following his answer and she was growing certain that either she would need to carry the conversation or perhaps she would just give up for now and get more from him around the fire, assuming of course he didn't just vanish into her land once they got to town. But then she heard his voice again, it was a struggle to hide the shock.
"Well for longer than I've been alive but other than that I'm not certain. My grandfather found the land unclaimed and so he claimed it. He didn't have a family living with him at the time but he wanted a safe place should his daughter, my mother, show up. Mom hated him but he loved her with all his heart and of course her kids too. My grandfather was a good wolf..."
Her voice trailed, she thought of him often but speaking about him was something else all together and she found it sad to do so as she was still only a year out from having lost her only true parent. Periwen fell silent, she wanted to learn more about Aurek but now she thought maybe taking her chances at dinner time would be better.
"The village is just ahead." She nodded ahead of them, the river was now coming into view and if you looked hard enough you could just barely make out the shape of huts but they were well camouflaged in the foliage. "Did you want to borrow a net?"
She stopped in place and turned to see him, having kept tears from her eyes she was unafraid from meeting his gaze.
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Post by Ravoshra on Feb 20, 2017 3:29:44 GMT
Aurek was a bit socially inept. Sometimes he had the self-awareness to realize it as it was happening. Today, however, wasn't one of those days. He listened as Periwen abruptly shifted the topic from personal to business, and he didn't bat an eye. Rather, he perked up -- figuratively and, for his ears, literally -- at her mention of the village they were fast approaching. He peered past the alpha female, squinting into the trees with renewed interest. Sure enough, it looked as though there was some type of community up ahead.
She stopped and turned to face him. Aurek looked down into her golden eyes. He was surprised, and maybe a little touched, that she was offering up the pack's own resources to him. This level of hospitality was almost unheard of during his previous travels. He offered her another smile and shook his head. "Ah, thank you, ma'am, but I'm not really one for using nets. Not unless you want me to catch all whole bunch for you and yours, anyway. It'd be the least I could do to return the favor of you letting me stay here. In all seriousness, though, I prefer using my spear and my own two paws. More fun that way."
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Post by Cyn on Feb 20, 2017 3:48:30 GMT
Periwen was relieved when he didn't press for more information about her grandfather, she had managed to keep herself together before but was not so sure she could do so now. No instead Aurek was kind enough, whether he knew it or not, to simple respond to her offer. Not entirely surprised with his declining the net his offer to catch food for the entire pack though... well she figured it was about time she came clean with him. If he should try anything funny she was certain she could get to a weapon in the village and even if she couldn't only she knew about the various weapons stashed in hollowed trees.
"It's kind of you to offer to feed the pack but I need to be honest with you, I am the pack. This land is typically a landing point for travellers such as yourself but few stay long. No real reason, staying members would be much welcome but everyone wants to make their own way and so they go."
She closed with a shrug, waiting now for his reaction. Aurek has been hard to read this far so she couldn't be certain where he would take this information. In fact she was almost as interested in his reaction as she was with his past.
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Post by Ravoshra on Feb 20, 2017 4:01:46 GMT
Both his brows climbed up his forehead in surprise. He glanced around her toward the village up ahead again and then glanced back. She was the alpha... over a pack of one. And yet, she maintained her borders dutifully, if the single marked tree he'd witnessed was anything to go by. He imagined that she probably maintained the huts in the village, one of which she had graciously offered to him. From the dagger on her thigh to the mention of never leaving home without her tool belt, Periwen came across as a hardworking alpha.
She was the sole member of her 'pack', and she had greeted him -- a strange male with a weapon -- alone.
Aurek looked at her, really looked at her, as if he was seeing her for the first time. He rubbed at the back of his neck with one hand, ruffling the thick fur there. "Damn, Miss Periwen. I... I don't know what to say. I appreciate the honesty. You're one brave fem."
And dedicated, he thought but didn't say.
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