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 Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2007 11:49 am
The afternoon was cool, despite a shining sun. Ravii rested near her preferred spot by a small, trickling stream, enjoying the sound of the babbling brook. The water was comforting, but then again, the violet and cream furred female was always attracted to water.
Water was alluring on so many levels - it attracted prey to its shores, as every creature depended upon it to survive. It kept away thirst and dehydration, especially during the summer months where the afternoon heat became unbearable. Water was plum fun to play in, to romp around and splash in, and water also was glorious to listen to.
That was the draw of the babbling brook this afternoon. To relax, to contemplate, to save up some energy to hunt down an evening meal. Heaving a heavy sigh, the female rested her head down upon her paws, eyes searching quietly around her.
There wasn't much going on in the neighborhood, everything felt so quiet. As if she were the only wolf alive in the world. And maybe she was, she mused, closing her eyes as she day dreamed. In this very moment, at this very spot, there was none but her.
A twitch of her left ear as a small squirrel scurried up a nearby tree. All right . . .so she wasn't completely alone. But she was certainly the only wolf, and could very well be the last in existance.
Ravii excelled at solitude. Since a pup, that was the way her life rolled. And nothing today said that was going to change. She kept away from lands not her own, steered clear of the more popular woods and forests and clearings. At night she listened to the songs of others, yet never replied in kind.
Tail curled around her, the female kept alert for any sign of danger or movement. Besides her pricked ears, though, one could almost confuse her for dead. She moved not and her breath was shallow and steady.
A nap. . .?
Maybe if it were warmer. For now, Ravii decided to enjoy the song of natures trickling stream.
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Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2007 6:06 pm
A crooked look in his eyes, the soot-colored elder skittered along the forest floor as though he were dancing through life. Today had been a good day for him, and his mouth parted slightly in a smile - a sight not often seen gracing his handsome face. He thought often of the odd couple that had taken him in and kept him safe from attackers - both physical and mental. He missed them, though he could not remember where they had gone. There were other things he missed, too, but like the odd couple's disappearance he could not remember them. Most of his life had been spent alone, and he preferred it that way. There was no trouble if he was alone, and no one could hurt him. "No one can touch me." he spoke aloud, as if to make himself believe. The weather still had a chill to it and his coat was worn thin from the life he lived, but he still managed to find himself overheated by the time he heard the water. Oblivious as the day he was born, Mingan sidled up to the water's edge and drank heartily.
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Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2007 8:56 pm
Ravii thought she heard a voice, and the sudden surprise caused the female to break free from her quiet contemplation. Ears twitching around, searching for a source, it took but a moment for the source to appear.
Head lifting off her paws, her cerulean blue eyes watched Mingan with quiet reserve. He wasn't super close to where she rested, but he was close enough to cause her a moments hesitation and caution. Should she leave?
Not every wolf that roamed the woods was friendly, and not every wolf was looking for companionship. Some were aggressive and domineering - past mistakes and scars that flawed her cream fur were constant reminders. Yes, Ravii had her share of experience with others, and often it ended with her tucking her tail and running.
So when Mingan lapped up water from the stream, Ravii couldn't help but be unsure. So she chose caution over fear and a quick disappearance. Body tensing, just in case the charcoal hued wolf turned agressive, Ravii made no movement. She didn't rise, in case he took it as an attack or dominance display, and she made sure to keep her ears turned back. She wasn't completely submissive, but her body language let Mingan know she knew her place.
Sniffing the air, Ravii waited. Perhaps he'd overlook her completely and go along his way. Silently, the female let him drink. But just in case, she prepared herself to run.
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Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2007 10:30 pm
Mingan forced air from his nose, causing ripples in the water that shocked his dry throat. Having had his fill, he lifted his head in an attempt to figure out where he actually was. A smug, content grin made him appear silly as he turned his whole head to look around.
He saw her then.
"Stupid!" he eeped quietly to himself as he jumped back. His ears pinned back, his eyes widened, and he couldn't figure out what to do with his tail. Immediately he near-slammed his head to the ground at an angle, looking as though he were pressing his left ear to the ground to hear if anything were approaching. "Don't.. hurt Mingan." he whined pitifully. The way he said it sounded like he meant to simply say "me", but dragged the "E" out into his full name. He wiggled and writhed, attempting to squirm backwards and away from the other wolf.
His heart raced and he felt he might be very sick. How could he be so careless as to walk right into a strange wolf that could very well rip his head off.
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Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 7:53 am
Well that surely was the reaction Ravii had expected! She'd been around others enough to know the routine - nine times out of ten they were quick to show their rank and sometimse press their advantage. If she had unknowingly approached a nearby territory, or had actually purposefully gone on anothers land to seek out a potential pack . . .
It typically ended in nothing than a flashing off teeth and threatening snarls.
Even if Ravii desired a pack - it would mean survival, a place to belong, socialization, and could guarentee her a future - finding one and actually managing to be accepted in to one was an entirely different story! Sure, most wolves met others and wound up forming a pack . . .
But that wasn't necessarily an easy thing to do. With the varying palatte of personalities, finding the proper mix to form a lasting pack was difficult. Yes, there were some whom came together only for survival . . . A time or two Ravii joined with others to bring down a proper kill during the famine times. But the packs never lasted and they all went their seperate ways shortly thereafter.
So loning it was the name of the game - both by choice and circumstance. So when Mingan all but collapsed to the ground, Ravii couldn't help but stare.
Oh dear . . . Ears falling back even more, though not out of fear, she offered him a smile. She didn't rise or make an attempt to approach - she certainly didn't want to scare him! Any sudden movements might make him bolt. The tip of her tag wagged, though she did keep it close to her body. "I won't hurt you," she promised, reaching out at him with one paw, head tilting to the side in a playful, reassuring gesture.
"Please don't run off just because I'm here. By all means, stay if you wish. I won't . . I won't get in your way, I promise!" Her blue eyes light up, the grin broadening on her features.
Ravii whined softly in her throat, hoping to better reassure the other. It was nice to see he didn't appear to be the snarling-aggressive-dominating type. Though Ravii still didn't think of pressing her luck or advantage - she kept her posture submissive, if not acutely so.
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Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 9:32 pm
"I, I, I..." he stuttered wildly, plopping himself completely to the ground, legs splayed in all different directions. "I'm sorry!" he wailed. "Ming-- I am not.. I am not s-s-sane." Sobbing his words out, his eyes darted back and forth, quickly checking to see if he was being surrounded. It was obvious that he was very old, it showed in his dim eyes and shabby coat. Big garish scars and half-healed wounds covered his pathetically bony frame, glaring out at the world as though to rationalize his strange mental state for him.
He flopped onto his side, as a fish struggling not to die would. "You can't get in my way, look at me. If anything, I would be getting in your way." barely audible he spoke to her, his voice calmed suddenly by a strong and curious inner flame.
This was how it always happened for the poor old wolf. Happiness to hysterics to calm morbid realization. He was sure she wouldn't hurt him, but Mingan always thought someone could turn in a split second, by all means faster than he could move to get away.
"I am called Mingan." he paused, then added with a sad-eyed smile "And I am very sick."
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Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 10:29 pm
Ravii watched the old wolf, ears pricking forward with curiousity as he went from cowering to hysterics! The female didn't laugh though, nor mock his position and lot in life. Part of her felt . . .pity? for the wolf. Another part of her just felt sad. He seemed lost, confused, unsure - like a wandering pup in need of reassurance.
Far to emptathic for her own good, Ravii whined softly in her throat. Blue eyes dimmed at the sight of the wolf, bones obvious beneath his grey coat. Ever so carefully, ever so cautiously, she scootched a few inches closer, careful not to express any sign of aggression or dominance. She just wanted to get closer, within a more amicable speaking range.
"I'm Ravii," she introduced herself, a little unsure what else to say. "It's a pleasure to meet you," she greeted, smile on her face slipping ever so slightly as her eyes dimmed. "I'm . . I'm sorry to hear of your illness."
She fell quiet, blue eyes dropping away from his grey form. Was he physically ill or mental? Maybe a little of both, it was hard to say. "Do you have none to heal you?"
There were Shamens that lurked the woods, or so the legend went. Ravii herself had yet to run in to one, though rumors had crossed her path on more than a single occassion. If he were to find a shamen, perhaps he could be cured?
The female was a bit naive on the workings of such things but legend said they could heal. Be it physical or mental wounds, Ravii wasn't clear.
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Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 11:06 am
The spotted one had been a shaman.
He felt, for the most part, calm now though his body stayed tensed into its impossible silly position. He listened intently to what she had to say, grey-green eyes locked to a point just at the bridge of her nose. "Shaman are body-healers... this body is fine." he managed a grin. "Seers... " It wasn't like Mingan would ever go out and seek another wolf, much less a more powerful type. "Seers are mind-healers" he said plainly.
"I am happy to meet you.. and I am sorry for my.. behaviour." he grinned sheepishly. "I'm not.. well, I mean to say.. " he didn't really know what to say. He was usually like this. He hung his head instead of continuing.
"Do you belong?" he spoke after a long pause, leaving out important words like "to" and "a pack".
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Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 1:30 pm
Ravii was glad to know that there were wolves out there whom could help. A seer, huh? She tucked the information away in her mind, inwardly pleased to know the difference. In her travels, she'd never had the oppurtunity to meet such healers, but at least there was a thread of truth. At least they seemed to be real and out amongst the other wolves.
Maybe, someday, the grey one could get himself healed.
But, then again, maybe Mingan was content in his mind and skin. Maybe he didn't need to be healed.
Blue eyes gentle, Ravii gave a reassuring whine. "No need to apologize. I think you're quite good company." And it was true. It wasn't just because she was desperate for a place to belong. Despite his . . . quirks . . . there was nothing at all disconcerting about the grey wolf. Just because he talked differently, and just because he claimed he was ill and seemed very, VERY shy - so what?
She could still communicate freely with him and he seemed nothing but gentle. So what did it matter if he had a few quirks and oddeties? No one in the world was perfect.
Ravii took a moment to contemplate the proper response. Did she belong . . . . . . ? To a pack? To something else? Here, in the woods? Cream and violet head tilted to the side, she decided to go out on a limb and cover everything. "I don't think I belong to any one place, not . . . not yet at least. I belong wherever my paws take me, wherever I pause in travels."
And that was that.
She had no pack, she had no territory to call her own, and she really hadn't settled down. Those were things the female was working upon, of course. But it wasn't necessarily an easy process.
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Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2007 7:56 pm
In one fluid motion the grey wolf settled himself into a more dignified position, sitting up straight, his tail curled around his haunches. His joints ached with years gone by. He seemed different now, more confident - though he by no means suffered from multiple personalities.
He nodded. "Me, I do not belong...either." It was a half-truth. He belonged in the company of the two males he had met seasons before this one, but he had no lasting companions. "Do you have friends?"
He felt a bit shy, asking her all the questions, and wondered if she was the shy type too.
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Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2007 9:28 pm
Ravii gave a slight nod, her body language relaxing more and more. The aura that she radiated was nothing but kind gentleness. She wasn't an agressive female, but there was an inner strength present. Just because she preferred the softer nature to one full of wild animosity did NOT mean that she was a push over.
Still, her body language stayed relaxed. The caution that she'd earlier displayed was slowly fading, her ears relaxed and tail tip thumping gently against her side. She wasn't afraid of Mingan, and could only hope that the old wolf would relax just the same.
"I . . . " And Ravii hestitad, ears flicking back in uncertainty Did she have friends? Well. . to be frank . . "No. I suppose I don't have any friends, not . . . not any more. Not yet."
Her mind drifted back to her pup and adolescent days. She had flickering memories of other wolves - colours and scents blending in to one another. None, she could say, had become close enough for her to truly remember. And those she met in her travels were as loyal as the leaves in the fall. Bright at their peak, before drifting away with the wind, the colours faded and grey.
A little smile, though it by no means hit her eyes. Oh well. Maybe now that she was home, now that she was settled, she'd be able to find such elusive creatures.
"Have you many friends here, Mingan? I know you say you don't belong but . . . I should hope that there were some you could trust."
Right now, the grey wolf WAS her closest companion. She wasn't sure if he'd feel the same way, as they only just met, but it was a start. Friendship didn't bloom instantly, but at least she knew him. At least she could greet him if, after they parted ways, she ran in to him again. At least there was one in the forest she could say she'd met.
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Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2007 11:56 am
Mingan relaxed and let his tongue loll, smiling widely. "Friends are important... they keep us safe." He paused a minute to think, the look in his eyes suggested that the gears were turning. "Maybe pretty wolf can meet Mingan's friends one day." his eyes sparkled and glittered with sincerity. "The pair is odd, methinks. Two males, spotted one and the other like a.. a.. " he looked around, as if trying to catch the words he wanted from the air. "Sort of like a fox, but not? He is red and black and has a thick long wiry mane around the back of his neck. He looks oddly, long thin legs and an almost feminine body. The other is almost the opposite, well toned... big but not bulky." He stopped momentarily, for a breath of air. "They saved Mingan's hide from a moose." he indicated the long thick gashed scars down his right side. "I think you would fancy them.
"And I could say you are my friend. You have not tried to hurt me, and you have stayed to talk to me."
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Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2007 8:45 pm
((Woah - sorry for the delay! n.n . . and the short response. >< ))
Ravii watched Mingen, her eyes and expression gentle. Violet ears pricked forward as she listened to him explain his situation and his companions. It was good that he thought of her as a friend, and had others to be able to call upon in times of need. At least he wasn't completely alone. . . especially when he seemed so . . .fragile mentally.
"Moose can be pretty tempermental," she sympathized, peering at his battle wounds. The walking feasts were a sort of delecacy and could provide food for weeks for a wolf. The only problem was it took an entire pack to bring the vicious beasts down, and wounds and fatalaties were common.
The fact Mingan had survived his fight was impressive - one kick from a moose, one wrong maneuver and it was all over for a wolf of any size.
Violet and cream tail wagged in delight and Ravii couldn't help but beam. Mingan was the first amicable wolf she'd had a chance to interract with in a looong time. "I would love to meet your companions, my friend," she sealed the deal with such a pronoun, "I'm sure they're quite delightful!"
The grey one, despite his quirks, was endearing. The way he spoke, a bit nervously, and his ability to go off on tangents . . . Ravii couldn't help but be pleased by her new discovery.
He was a sweet one, and she couldn't help but appreciate it.
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Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2007 11:06 am
The grey wolf nodded. "I should maybe watch where I step." he offered, grinning sheepishly, to make sure the female knew he didn't purposefully go out thinking he could kill a moose on his own.
Noticing the other wolf's tail, his own thumped the ground almost unable to be controlled. He couldn't help prancing his front paws through the grass, semi-leaned back on his haunches for balance.
"Oh they are! They are very caring and sweet wolves." The grin on his face grew from sheepish to giddy as the other's voice brought the word 'friend' to his black ears.
The old wolf was growing into his skin around the female. Maybe this was it? He was still nervous around the two males he had made friends with, but with this female he felt pretty good. Maybe this was it! He would have to seek out more females and test how things went.
"Thank you." he offered mysteriously, without mentioning why.
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Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2007 4:12 pm
The more Mingan chattered and (appeared) to become more and more relaxed, the more excited and pleased Ravii became. The old wolf had originally appeared very coy and timid (much as she had been) but he was genuinely sweet. The quirks he'd dispalyed earlier, the complete submission and fear had washed away to show a good friend with (what appeared) to be a good heart.
What luck!
"Well then, Mingan, perhaps someday you can introduce me to your sweet friends. For you are my one and only," she added with a smile, violet eyes bright with good humor. "And any friend of Mingan shall be a friend of mine."
Her words were sincere. She truly did appreciate the grey and black wolf's company. He was a sweet and kind as she, and that was an ever endearing quality.
His thanks did confuse her, and Ravii tilted her head questioningly. Still, perhaps it was better if she didn't question? Laughing a contagious laugh, the she wolf ducked her head coyly and pawed at the ground. "Well, you're very welcome?" she responded cordially with a grin. She didn't know what he was thanking her for but . . . well. . . whatever it was she did, she was glad.
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