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Post by Miss Ami on Dec 10, 2012 2:39:19 GMT -7
Slowing from my tiring running, I let my paws come to a standstill as I take a moment to catch my breath and take in my surroundings. The path I had followed to get here doesn’t exist anywhere but inside my head, and though I’m not sure where I’m going, I follow it none the less.
Letting my tongue loll out of my muzzle as I pant gently, I take a few cautious steps forward, pulling my tongue in quickly to scent the air around. I wanted to ensure I wasn’t wandering somewhere I wasn’t supposed to be, after all...
After my golden brown eyes take a few more cautious looks around, I continue forward, though at a more sedate pace, just enjoying the breathtaking scenery as I went. My nose told me there was others here, though I should have been more careful, especially considering I knew nothing about anyone here, I was only passing through and posed no threat to anyone. Even though this was definitely the kind of place I could get lost in for quite some time...
My tail slowly sways slightly behind me with each step, my claws sending small rocks and stones skittering behind me with each step. I should have been moving through the area quicker, I knew I should, but it was almost too much to take in, though there was no doubt that tomorrow, something else in a new place would catch my attention like so. For now though, I just indulge and continue walking along, taking it all in.
With a gentle sigh, I push myself forward, making myself focus. I needed to keep moving. Well, I didn’t need to, but I wanted to. Or, most of me did... With a quick shake of my head, I tilt my soft ears forward and push on, step after step on the invisible path that wasn’t really there.
(I want to apologize for it being a horrible starter (in my opinion, anyway.) and for the title. I fail at both. D: )
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Post by Racing on Dec 10, 2012 16:35:29 GMT -7
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Hale had been prowling his territory, leaving Arria wherever she was and trusting she could handle herself. White teeth puffed out a breathe of cold air-- after all, Hale's territory was the mountains, and it was always cold here. It wasn't the black wolf's fault that his body temperature also happened to steam burning hot, causing him to breathe cold-- a very strange way that he was. Electric blue gazed over the snow-filled landscape, the towering trees surrounding the paths he traveled. The snow was still gently falling, but the giant forest covering his mountainous territory prevented a fair amount of it from hitting the ground, keeping warmth trapped in the caves and below the trees. Hale had emerged from the trees into a clearing overlooking a good majority of his territory, and so he could see the snow. Yes, yes, there was snow beneath the trees-- enough to trouble some unlucky pups, it was a foot or so high. But Hale was unconcerned, because the snow was being blown into his face and with it came an upward draft of warm air, carrying a clear scent with it.
Electric blue narrowed in their black framework, and the abnormally large wolf bared his teeth to scent the air. Wolf. Foreign. In his territory. Female. Narrowing his eyes the large wolf barreled into the snow, huge body safely carving a path of snow into one of the underground passages he kept hidden. Hidden well. Loping along the underground trail, Hale kept an ear out for those above him, those catching his eye including a large herd of deer, a few rabbits, and at last, far from where he had been and at a much lower altitude, a wolf. Hale burrowed up from the snow at a safe distance, smoothing the freshly disturbed snow neatly back to what it had looked like, safely burying his passageway once more. The descendant of the Dire wolves looked around, scenting and tracking in the cold mountain air, a joy in his heart at knowing another wolf was on his land.
Female, wolf, alone, alone, on your land. His conscience considered the alone part most spectacular. Hale needed a pack, needed his family again, so desperately. And so he bounded along, becoming more like a pup, but at the same time he was withdrawing, closing himself off, shutting down. Hale had no desire for more wolves, no desire to have friends. He was fine alone; even Arria was fine company. But some part of him deep resonated that a wolf was a friend, and if they weren't a friend no one else would ever know-- Hale... Hale couldn't stomach trespassers on his territory and he never was diplomatic. But then, Hale never considered that he might have a certain so-called mental disorder. But this is for another day.
Wolf! Hale circled around her, from afar where she could not see or smell him, and then approached from the front, bounding along the path like he had no notion she was there. This would be simple. Hale could gain another friend, another family member. Something good must come of this encounter, Hale was certain of it.
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[529 words. House of Gold and Bones Part One (album) - Stone Sour.
Don't worry about it. Starters are never anyone's favorite thing and no one's ever particularly brilliant at them, but you did very well. I have to get back into the swing of writing Hale myself, so... Pardon any wrongdoings in these posts.]
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Post by Miss Ami on Dec 10, 2012 19:44:54 GMT -7
The snow cold air filled my lungs, flowing down through my nose and down my throat. It’s a nice change to the hot air I’d been breathing some time ago in my travels, even if my shorter fur isn’t made for the cold. I’ll be fine, though I do much prefer the warmth of any kind, whether it comes from the sun, from sharing a den with pack and family, even from running hard to get the blood pumping.
With a final huff at myself, I push myself to pick up the pace from a slow walk to a slow jog, even that slightly quicker pace getting the blood pumping around my sleek form. Watching as the snowflakes fall, I’m almost tempted to stick out my tongue and try and catch them like we used to do as pups when the occasional snow fell in our home.
My paws carry me forward, even as my mind wanders to thoughts of home for a moment, something which had been invading my thoughts a bit lately, before they drifted to thoughts of the landscape. It was almost like a running commentary of all the things that caught my eye. Look at the way the light filters through that trees tops and dapples the ground, look at that oddly shaped rock...
I flick my ear to dislodge a snowflake though it had melted when it came into contact with it, leaving a small, cold, wet patch and I make a face before letting it slip to a small smile. I pause again in my wanderings again and turn back to look over my shoulder at the tracks I’ve left in the snow, it being easy to tell where I was distracted by thoughts and sights and when I was paying attention to my path. My trail when I wasn’t focused weaved about, only noticeable now that I look back at it, and the path where I had been walking for this short time was straight.
It was around then that my senses remind me I’m not in an abandoned or empty territory. I turn to look ahead, ears lifting and turning to the sound of someone approaching. With a silent prayer that whoever was approaching was friendly, or at least not likely to rip out my throat where I stood, I continue forward while still leaving those uniform tracks behind me
[398 words.] |
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Post by Racing on Dec 10, 2012 20:29:30 GMT -7
Hale's large frame drew itself up to it's full height, expanding it's size to become mildly terrifying. He was a monster of a wolf, indeed. A deep, abysmal black color was his skin and so was his fur, a horrible black that made you think you were lost if you looked at it for too long-- unless that was what you were accustomed to, unless your safety was in the black wolf, unless he took a shine to you. Hale could be the nicest, most awesome wolf if treated right... Treated wrongly, he was a devil, an angry creature that he had been most of his life and any slight thing could bring out the beast.
But Hale was not always a beast, in fact, he was just grumpy and standoffish to pretty much everyone. Except maybe Arria. He liked Arria, she was cute and tiny and pack. Pack was the most important thing to Hale, because pack was friends and family and love and hope all mashed together and tied in one neat group. Hale's reluctance to build strong relationships was understandable and not easy to break-- the large wolf had been and was solitary, and would likely remain so for a bit-- if not forever. Gaining Arria into his pack had gone a short way to repairing the bridge between him and the rest of the world, but Hale has not hopeful. He liked things the way they were, liked things on his own-- on the surface. Deep down he knew he was lonely, knew he wanted for friends and to be surrounded by family and pack once more. And who knew, maybe it was possible.
And so Hale examined the other wolf as he strode up, stopping out of lunging distance, eyeing her critically, Alpha face on. Fierce and demanding, unrelenting and infinitely powerful. Looking down on the fae, Hale studied her with electric blue irises. Finally, he deigned to speak. "My name is Hale, and I am the Alpha of Aphrodite's Mountain and the surrounding mountains. State your name and your business here." So formal, Hale, so formal. But it was necessary. Strange wolf, strange female, strange female had been the downfall of his Packs previous. They had brought the disease and now he was suspicious. Now he must test and study. So he would wait and examine this femme, to see if she proved fatale.
[400 words. Torch Song- AFI.]
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Post by Miss Ami on Dec 10, 2012 22:46:59 GMT -7
I heard the other wolf growing closer before I saw it, though it wasn’t by much. It was massive and I felt almost tiny in comparison. The dark colouring reminded me of a moonless night, a night so dark not even the stars were out and one couldn’t see much beyond the end of their muzzle.
As it grew closer, I could tell it was a male by his scent and I followed his eyes with mine, having to look up as he grew closer to do so though my ears fell back slightly as I did. Did I ever feel small...
I watched as he kept enough space between us and though I knew it was generally precautionary, I wasn’t sure, just by the look of him, if anyone would be able to attack him and survive, or if anyone would even be stupid enough to. I knew I wasn’t...
I stood quietly, with my ears back and my tail curled around my back leg slightly, even dipping my head low in a show of submission. Not full submission, but what I hoped was enough to show I meant no threat or harm. I kept my gaze down, even as I felt his on me. In my travels, I had yet to be harmed by wandering through a pack’s territory, which I put down to sheer luck on my part, but also because I tended not to stay around all that long and just hurry out...
The silence after his arrival seemed to stretch out until he did finally speak and it was only then that I cautiously take another look at him now that he was closer. ”My name is Oh My Stars and I was just passing through. I’m sorry to have remained in your domain longer than necessary and I shall leave as quickly as possible, if that is what you wish.” I speak, dropping my gaze again. I keep control of myself, not wishing to annoy him with information he didn’t wish to hear. ”I am alone, and have been alone since I left my pack quite some time ago...” She added, if only as a reassurance in case he was concerned about a sneak attack from others. She had heard of things like that happening every now and again, especially in places where the worst wolves tended to live...
[395 words. Miss Murder - AFI. Guilty Pleasure - Ruby Rose, Gary Go.]
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Post by Racing on Dec 11, 2012 19:33:12 GMT -7
Hale's head was high, his ears were pricked and pointed at her, his gaze sharp and calculating. His body was tall and straight, tail held high as well-- all of him speaking, no, screaming dominance and power and commanding respect. This little female wolf was nothing to him, but everything to him in the same moment. She was deferential and seemed to wish no harm, which warranted him extending an invitation. Hale allowed his gaze to run over her once more, purely analytical, before nodding slowly. As Alpha, he might as well extend his thanks, condolences, and greetings. Apologies first, because, well, Hale wasn't good at social interactions and he misheard her.
"I am so very sorry to hear that you lost your pack. I myself have lost two." A painful note cracked below his growl of a voice, but he continued. "It is nice to meet you, Oh My Stars. I must extend my greetings and offer you a stay in my territory. You do not have to leave immediately, correct?"
A short little speech, all wrapped up in a pretty package of niceties. Not Hale's usual manner but, after all, he had to be nice to this foreign female wolf. At least, if she hadn't been passing through, he had stood to gain another wolf to his pack. Maybe even a friend... Or a lover. For Hale had no want for a mate and absolutely no desire to be such with this stranger. All that could change, of course, Hale was no prude, but at that moment, he cared little for others and their petty plans. Hale stood tall still, not realizing his height could be intimidating or frightening. Instead, the wolf allowed his posture to relax a little, head lowering, tail easing and beginning to fan the air ever so slightly. But again, the wolf didn't really realize it. He didn't have much use for others, their plans or wants. Hale wanted what he wanted and he also wanted a family. A large one, a pack worthy of friend and family and hope. Hale was such an Alpha.
[351 words. Hollywood Whore, ... To Be Loved - Papa Roach.]
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Post by Miss Ami on Dec 11, 2012 20:29:11 GMT -7
Feeling his gaze on me still, as if inspecting me, I remain still in my submissive position just to be safe. One could never be too careful when on another’s land, especially when face to face with the Alpha, even if he seemed nice enough. But when he spoke, I allowed myself to relax, lifting my gaze and my ears up a touch, listening to what he had to say.
”I’m terribly sorry about your loss, Hale.” I say to him softly, honestly. ”Pack is... Everything. And to have lost not one but two... I can’t even begin to imagine what that would be like.” I want to offer him some sort of comfort, though I doubt any kind of comfort would be enough. And I wasn’t sure how receptive he would be towards it...
As much as I dislike the idea of correcting him about my pack, I feel I need to. I don’t like the idea of him, or anyone, not knowing the truth about me. It’s just how I am. ”But... I didn’t lose my pack... I left them.” I say to him, turning golden brown eyes to the scenery instead. ”It wasn’t that they were bad or anything of the sort, either. They just... Didn’t like to move around much whereas I do.” My ears fall back, unsure of how he would react to it. It was a silly reason to have left, I know that now, but this is still my life and it is what I love. If I had a chance to go back and change it, I wouldn’t.
I remain quiet for a moment before deciding to answer his next question, in hopes to change the subject. ”But I don’t have to leave immediately, no. Part of me was hoping to stay here for a short time, if you will allow me, to explore your beautiful territory. You’re quite lucky to have this place as your home...” I say to him honestly, bowing my head a touch before returning my gaze towards him, my tail swaying slowly behind me at the thought of being able to wander around here for a while.
[360 words. Short Stack, various songs.]
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Post by Racing on Dec 12, 2012 20:09:41 GMT -7
Hale's electric eyes, which had softened, now sharpened and hardened. Lies, spat his brain, Lies, lies, liar filled with lies. Deceit and gossip, she lies! Little Oh My Stars, she speaks lies to you of pack! Pack is sacred, you of all know this! Hale's blue irises had narrowed to slits, and he forced himself to widen them to seem friendly once more. She was a nomad, an Omega, and that was dangerous. A lone wolf was dangerous and could become evil, could decide to challenge an Alpha for territory and could decide to do harm. Could be forced to do harm. The large black Alpha gazed down at her, debating internally, arguing and considering with himself, but in the end he decided to do what, well, what he would always do, despite it maybe being the downfall of his personality. "I can't turn you away. You have the freedom of my territory until such time I revoke it. You also have an invitation to my Pack's den... Whenever you need it." Turning to leave, the Alpha did not hesitate or even consider.
He just moved.
He had sensed the avalanche, and had felt it in his bones long before he heard it. Hale had grown up in snow, he knew it and its patterns. Hale moved, lunged forward to place himself in between her and the snow rush, moving to grab her ruff in his teeth and drag her behind the large boulder, curling himself around her like she belonged in his pack, like he was hers and she his. A horrible way of thinking for the Alpha wolf, yes, but anyone he took a shine to could be his, and he would forever extend his protection to Oh My Stars now. Even if she left. Even if she was an Omega. Oh, God, Hale, what've you gotten yourself into, stupid sourwolf!
[313 words. Call Me Maybe/Payphone Mashup - Jessica Jarrell & James Alan.]
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Post by Miss Ami on Dec 12, 2012 21:05:02 GMT -7
I glance up at the much larger wolf again, the silence again seeming to stretch out, even if I should be used to quiet now. But then, I was often alone anyway, so the silence was barely noticed. Now, with another wolf so close, I guess I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. He was also a lot nicer than what I was expecting, especially when I had first seen him...
“Thank you, Hale. I assure you, I won’t be a bother for too long.” I say to him, bowing my head again. I greatly appreciate his letting me stay, and the invitation to his Pack’s den. But I don’t plan on being around that long, even if it would be a nice change to spend some time with other wolves.
It was a few long seconds after I felt Hale’s teeth and the Alpha had dragged me to the safety of the boulder that I realized what had happened. Heart pounding in my chest, I nuzzle into his fur gently for a moment. Had I been alone, I would have been wiped out by the snow and it would have killed me one way or another. Had he chosen not to help me, my fate would have been the same. He didn’t have to help me, yet he did.
”... You saved me.” I breathe, though remain otherwise motionless now. ”Thank you. Thank you from the very bottom of my heart.” I’m unsure of what to say now so I fall quiet again. Now, the idea of leaving so soon doesn’t sit right. I need to repay the black wolf somehow. I owe him my life... I don’t like owing others, but I can’t think of a thing to repay him for something so great...
I remain still beside him, unsure of what exactly happened after an avalanche. I’d not been around a place where such a thing had been a worry. I take a few deep, slow breaths to try and calm my racing heart some. ”Thank you again...” I doubt any amount of thanks would ever be enough, but I leave it at that for the time being.
[361 words, Adele - Skyfall. Sucker Punch soundtrack.] |
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