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 Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2005 9:15 pm
Nafeeza Keefe Keefe's eyes got real wide in confusion for a moment before he shook his head violently.
"Nononono, this is crazy; you might just haffa sit down to hear this..."
He paused for a second and slowled his slow trot to a stop; looked fiercely to the female looking slightly mad; his head shaking slowly.
"Nope; these things are mad. They have no fur at all except on their heads and can't fly like birds cuz they're kinda fat looking. And they run around on their back two-legs the whole time. Their front legs look a bit deformed.. Reallly ugly like. And they make really weird sounds though. They're pretty nice though and don't taste too good..."
"I've never heard of somethin like that.." She nearly whispered in awe. "Sounds real ugly. Are there a lot of them arond here?" She paused for moment, thinking about something and looked at Keefe again, plopping her butt in the dirt. "You sure they don't taste good? Ugly things usually taste good." Take the butterfly for example; it was pretty; it tasted aweful. A nice boring brown bird on the other hand..."Maybe you just didn't try the right part."
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Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2005 10:34 pm
Keefe Nafeeza Keefe Keefe followed Nafee's example of sitting down and peered to her; his face still very serious looking but his eyes now wandering with thought.
"I dunno if there's lotsa them. I've only seen one but the big wolf told me he was taking that two-legger to its kind... So I guess there are"
He nodded wisely at that last part of her question. He had clamped down on the critter's foot and it was none too pleasant. On the other hand he'd never had butterfly... Or boring brown bird for that matter; he'd take her word on it for now.
"I'm pretty sure... I bit his paw and it was awful I'll tell ya that much. And he jumped up and fell down... They're so... un-graceful"
The tan female lifted herself to her feet again. She was always moving about, sitting standing, looking around, always with more energy than she knew what to do with. Her posture, rather than her expression, begged to continue on.
"I'm not sure... I suppose... They use their front paws or something... Or maybe they eat grass like the deer do, eh"
He read her expression with a smile and gestured his head for her to come along. He started off with a slow trot; nose to the ground for a few steps and then back in the air and sniffing about and careful.
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Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2005 10:52 pm
Nafeeza Keefe Nafeeza Nafeeza stayed quiet as Keefe stood, glad he had finally smiled. She watched, a few steps behind him, as he check the ground and the air, imitating his actions to tell what he was looking for. The wolf and the two-legger, she supposed.
She stayed quiet for a while, just following dutifully beside him. Her voice struck the air suddenly, as though they'd been in the middle of a conversation. "Is your da serious like you?" She couldn't imagine where else he learned the trait. Couldn't possibly have become so dull on his own, could he?
"I don' think so... I'm not serious anyways... All pups are like this cept you I think... My dad isn't serious I don't think"
He sighed deeply and shook his head lightly at Naf and then looked back to the path they were going down again. He squinted but saw nothing but mud and snow. With a sigh he trotted on.
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Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2005 10:54 pm
Keefe Nafeeza Keefe Keefe kept his pace steady but after a few minutes of that he looked to glance at Nafee but found her missing. His head whipped back to find her lagging behind him at a rather slow pace. He frowned and stopped; what was wrong now? His ears tweaked forward as the sound of a hungry tummy sounded in the sparse wood. His previous scowl faded and he trotted up to her; listened intently to her hungry belly. He sighed deeply; he was rather hungry himself; where was his mom now? Oh right... He left her behind with the rest of the den. This was no good; he had only eaten meat when it was brought to him and that in itself was seldom. He looked curiously to Naf,
"Can you hunt?"
"I can hunt squirrels.."
It was a trick her mother had taught her once she'd been old enough to discover that animals didn't simply kill themself and lay out for the wolves consumption.
"Well let's take a break for hunting. I can wait here for you or come with you... I can't hunt at all"
He said that last part rather bashfully. He considered himself the alpha of this 'pack' as unimrepssive as he was. He had the most knowledge on pack-life so he could teach her all she needed to know if she wanted him too. He sat down slowly; letting her come to a decision of what she wanted to do.
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Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2005 4:53 pm
Nafeeza Keefe Nafeeza Nafeeza raised her head in surprise at Keefe's reply, tail wagging uncertainly at first and then strongly. She could be useful! Renewed confidence surged within her, determined to prove her worth to the pretty purple male.
"You can help! It will be easier with two of us."
With a little bounce in her step, despite the hunger, Nafeeza sniffed the ground for the smell of small mammals and told Keefe about her plan. The key was to catch them between the trees, she began...
Knowing that the squirrel was a lost cause, Nafee looked around for more potetial prey. A black bird glided into a nearby tree and disappeared into the leaves, but no other movement caught her attention.
Glancing back at Keefe to see if he had had better luck, Nafee trotted down a little ways to a new patch of trees. She was pleased with placement of these trees, a good amount of distance seperating each one, and again waited for her opportunity. It came at last as a squirrel darted too far out and couldn't reach is destination in time. It paused in between to make a quick decision but was not quick enough. The tan pup was on it in an instant, managing to rip off it's front leg before it's struggle began to fade.
She caught three squirrels that way, waiting for one to make the fatal mistake to dive between the trees and pounced them. Dropping the last one on her small pile, she looked up to see how Keefe was doing.
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Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2005 8:27 pm
Keefe Nafeeza Keefe Keefe snorted his way around the wooded area as well; keeping a good eye on Nafee the whole time. He to had heard the squirrel scramble up the tree so he stood there and looked up at it in wonder. How'd they stay up there? Weird.... He planned to look at it some more but there was a loud stirr behind him and he whipped around to see that Naf had already caught a squirrel. The dark pup hung his head in shame and trotted to the spot. A squirrel zipped by him and he went for it but there was no luck there. He slipped on the mud and ended up belly flat on the ground. He grumbled and stood up; carefully shaking the mud off of his pelt.
He sighed in a dissapointed manner. Before he could start beating himself up for his lack in skill Nafee had caught another two squirrels. He looked to her with wide eyes and whined a bit in pity for himself. With a sigh Keefe trotted to her and nodded,
"You're officially the hunter of the group Nafeeza..."
She turned, trotting back to the triangle trees to catch more squirrels. She wished she could catch something more useful, like rabbits, rather than the squirrels, still skinny from winter.
She came back a while later with only two squirrels this time, dropping them near Keefe and settling down to eat. "I swear, they learn faster than I do!"
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Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2005 8:33 pm
Keefe Nafeeza Nafeeza looked at the kills he nudged toward her and shook her maw gently with a tenative smile, one of the two newly killed squirrels already between her paws.
"No, those were for you, Keefe. I don't eat much. I rather you have your strength."
Without further comment, he dug into the squirrel, ripping through the skin on it's belly and tearing the slab of useless fat away to reveal the meat beneath. They may not have been much but the food felt wonderful sliding over her tongue.
"Thanks for that Nafee, glad to have met ya"
He truly was glad for their meeting. He would have starved by now... Or would have been extremely lonely even though he wouldn't have minded that all too much.
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Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2005 8:35 pm
Keefe Nafeeza Keefe Nafeeza Nafee beamed to herself, proud that she had done something worthwhile. It caused her no little pride that she could do something the pretty male could not but she did her best to contain it. She could tell Keefe didn't like her bubbly outbursts; she wanted to be a good companions for him, lest he make her leave. Then again, if she'd been a pack wolf like him, she may never had learned to hunt.
"You too, Keefe." She grinned and chewed on her second squirrel. She spoke again as she pulled on the leg of the critter with her teeth, "I lihk yuuh. Srrious n' 'll".
Naf hopes Keefe's friends wouldn't mind that she'd tagged along when they finally met up. Maybe if she and Keefe made good friends, they'd let her come along to the straight two-footer place Keefe had talked about.
"Well Naf, I like you... The way you are"
He looked away from her quickly; a grin still lingering on his maw. His amber eyes gazed around; pondering if they should proceed or not. He decided against it for it seemed to be getting late. His eyes shifted back down to Nafee as he stood up and walked a circle around her,
"We need to find a place to sleep in for the night I suppose... Won't do us any good traveling all night..."
"Good night Nafeeza... I suppose we have a long way ahead of us; get some rest"
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Posted: Mon Feb 28, 2005 6:13 pm
Keefe Nafeeza Keefe As the day slowly started anew; the dark purple pup manuvered his way around the sleeping Nafeeza and crept quietly out of the tree trunk. He yawned and stretched his stiff muscles; looking about intently. Nothing had changed overnight other than the dissapearance of the squirrel remainders. Some scavenger must have found it during the night and slinked off with the leftovers. Another lazy yawn escaped his maw as he turned back to the trunk and stuck his muzzle in; nudging Naf to wake her.
"I think we should get going soon..."
"But I'm comfortably.." she whimpered, pulling slowly to her feet even as she resisted. She yawned and stepped out of the trunk, her butt sticking up in the air as she stretched. "Which way we goin'?.." She asked sleepily, licking her tongue over to mouth. She wondered if they were close, sticking her nose into the air for a taste. Nothing smelled unusual.
"Hear that? It's a crow, that male had like... A million crows with him; maybe this one knows where to go"Suuru the Crow Suuru took wing again, flying closer to where the pups were. The black one had taken notice of him thankfully. Neither seemed to be showing signs of aggression or fear- he assumed it was safe to approach them. His wings cupped and he allwed himself a few feet between him and the two pups before landing in the snow- his black body making a fabulous contrast to the white snow around him. Golden eyes rose up to meet the eyes of the pup as the crow turned his head to aknowlage them both. A soft caw of greeting was all the crow could really offer in way of speech.
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Posted: Mon Feb 28, 2005 6:16 pm
Keefe Nafeeza Naf heard the crow and wondered why a wolf would keep a millions birds about him for anything other than a quick meal. She thought of this again when the crow landed in front of them, but resisted the urge to pounce on top of him. She was still half a sleep anyway.
She stepped closer to Keefe, asking quietly "Uh, Keefe, is he talking to us?" The idea seemed rather absurd since it was only bird. Everyone knew birds were too stupid to talk. "What's he want?"
"I suppose so.... I'm not sure what he wants though...."
He'd never seen a crow up this close before and it was quite an unnerving experience for a pup so young.Suuru the Crow Hmm... I had hoped that the pup would reconize me., Suuru turned his head thoughtfully, picking at his brain for any possible ways to explain to the pup his intent. His master was back in the south lands with his mate- and rightfully so for the both of them. He'd never seen a grown wolf act like such a blissful pup before as he had when his master had been reunited with his mate. To pull him away from her so soon to return to these hellish lands was unfair.
With a crow's sigh he lowered his beak to the snow and began drawing out the form of a wolf once again- the second time that day but it seemed to work well enough with the older wolf. It wasn't exactally the best but it was reconizably a wolf. Dotting his beak in the snow he created "crows" around the wolf. Suuru hopped back and drew a long arrow pointing southwards then stood in the path of the arrow, shaking his head off in a hope to remove the cold powder from his nares. Keefe Keefe took a few baby steps closer to the crow; gawking at it curiously as it hopped and cawed about. His head titled to the side in confusion as the crow started to draw something in the snow. It kinda... kinda looked like a wolf. He squinted and nodded his head for Naf to come closer,
"Look at this..."
Amber eyes gazed over the drawing of the crow... The scene was familiar... Then it hit him and he gave a yip in pride,
"I got it! Look there; it's a picture of the wolf I met; see all the crow? Maybe this crow knows where he is!"
There was an excited tone to his usual dull voice as he grinned at Naf happily; maybe they wouldn't be so lost anymore.
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Posted: Mon Feb 28, 2005 6:18 pm
Keefe Nafeeza Nafeeza's tail wagged back and forth happily, her body jerking right left right left. She tongue rolled out of her mouth in open mouth grin as she sat back on the ground, tosses her snout into the air and gave a howl.
Bringing herself back to her feet, she looked again at the drawing, following the line of the arrows, she yipped,
"It looks like he wants us to go south..what are we sitting around for, lets go!"
"South? Is he there?"
By he Keefe had meant Fea of course but he supposed that the crow would catch on quickly enough. Keefe hopped as step back in his excitement and smiled in a cute puppy way.Suuru the Crow Suuru cawed again, turning himself about and springing into the air. His feet cupped beneith his body as his wings powered himself back into the air. Turning over his shoulder he let out another caw- surely the pups had figured his intent out and would follow him but he wanted to be sure. Turning back he began towards the south. It was a long road indeed and for pups it might be a bit longer. They'd have to pass enemy wolf territory but he'd be sure to keep them from danger. The other crows in the area would surely lend their eyes and voices to them if the occasion for their services arose. Bless you clever pups., he smiled to himself, easily flying at a decent enough pace forward. Nafeeza Nafeeza watched the bird head south and started to do the same, glancing over at Keefe. She couldn't help but feel a little nervous, meeting a new wolf. What kind of wolf keeps crows with him? Was he a shaman of some sort? Why did he keep the two-legger with him? Was he a pet? What was a two legger? Did they really taste bad or did they really taste good? Would they like her? She hoped they'd like her, even if Keefe hadn't warmed to her at first. Would they like her?
"So ya think that means we're close?" She looked back at her companion, her pawsteps had quickened with eagerness, nearly running.
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Posted: Mon Feb 28, 2005 6:21 pm
Suuru the Crow Suuru turned his head over a wing to watch the pups, circleing himself around when he felt that he had flown too far ahead for the young pups. He remained within sight at all times but his encounters with the other wolves had given him a healthy respect for wolves and their maws. He kept a good distance from the ground and was constantly mindful of anything that seemed to be rushing up at him- smaller birds and the like. The local crows watched them from their perches in the trees. Now and then another crow would join Suuru and share the newest news of the wood- the movement of wolves, bears, and two-leggeds mostly. Nothing terribly shocking but it was something that kept crows alive. It was very rare to encounter a crow that wasn't terribly aware of the events of the area. Being scavengers the creatures flew for miles circeling and would obviously see much during that flight. Nafeeza Keefe Keefe nodded his head solemnly and took off after Naf and the crow. Most of the time he kept his sights up at the flying crow; he wasn't in much of a mood to get lost in some strange place. THe purple pup issued a small shrug at Nafeeza's question,
"Maybe... At least I hope so"
Every so often another crow joined them and Keefe titled his head as he walked slowly and gazed upward. Why would two crows fly together if they obviously weren't in a flock of some sort. Crows couldn't talk... Surely they weren't smart enough to. He glanced to Naf for a moment and sighed,
"I sure hope we get there alright...."
"I'm sure we will Keefe. Don't worry so much."
She noticed he was keeping his eyes to the sky and turned her head up the follow his gaze. The crow they had been talking too was still there but she too thought it odd that there would be more than one. Maybe it had something to do with windcurrents..
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Posted: Mon Feb 28, 2005 6:31 pm
Nafeeza Keefe Nafeeza Keefe Keefe sighed as he lost his interest with looking at the crows above. His head now turned to Nafeeza. She seemed thoughtful as always. Once again Keefe wished he could see what she was thinking cuz he sure as heck never thought any interesting thoughts. He smiled lightly at her comment,
"Sorry... Can't help it"
He frowned; was he really such a worry-wart too? With a shake of his head the purple pup looked forward as the walked on; wishing he had the confidence and easy going personality that Naf did.
"So.. do you know where we are? Are we still on your da's land?"
For whatever reason, Naf assumed that because his father "owned" the territory, Keefe would know all the parts of it. She assumed that he had taken advantage of so much free land, as she would've, to explore it every chance he got. That was what she had been doing and she didn't even realize the land "belonged" to somebody else.
"No, my dad's territory ended a while back.... I have no idea where we are"
The only Keefe could tell who the land belonged to was the scent; even though he had never been around anywhere before. New scents were flowing by them; unfamiliar ones and strange ones. This spooked Keefe a bit to say the least. He had dragged Naf out here with him so he supposed it was his job to look out for her. A job that was particularly hard in foreign lands. He frowned; the thought of something happening to his new friend gnawing away at his mind,
"Stay by me all the time ok?"
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Posted: Mon Feb 28, 2005 6:33 pm
Keefe Nafeeza Keefe Keefe nodded in confrimation as Naf walked closer to him. If he could keep a steady eye on her he'd be fine. With a tired sigh the pup glanced back up to the sky; squinting slightly to make sure that their avian guide was still around which it was. He grumbled quietly to himself; there were so many things to worry about when one was out on their own... He wished he mom or dad could be there to do it all for him as they had done in the past. He took another glance at Naf before speaking up in a whisper; not wanting to alert anything that could be lurking in these strange woods to their presence.
"I wonder where he's leading us.. I've never seen the south; heck I don't know where it is even"
"I'm not worried, Keefe. We have each other." They were a two wolf pack, she imagined to herself dreamily. What could stop a pack?
"Yeah, you're right; a pack has to be strong I suppose."
The purple pup sighed; he was always supposing; never really sure on anything really. His mind wasn't really on bears but on other wolves; how would they take to a strange couple of pups on their land? Would they even care? So many worries were on his mind. He wondered how long they had been traveling; couldn't have been more than a few hours,
"I hope it's not too far away..."Suuru the Crow
Suuru flew on for quite some time- always keeping himself within sight of the pups and the pups within his sight. Now and then he'd climb higher into the air to get a good look around- they were right on course and thankfull he could see no signs of danger anywhere. It was winter afterall. Bear were sleeping soundly in their dens, wolves weren't hunting as much, and anything else was probibly in the warmer lands. After insuring that they were indeed safe the crow would drift back down and continue on with his flight forward.
They were a good distance still from the southern lands. He was making sure to detour them from the lands of other packs to keep them all safe. Suuru- though a 'mere bird' was still considered an enemy of many wolves. The pups no doubt wouldn't be excluded from that little catigory if found traveling with him. They had a river to cross up ahead. This would be fun. Suuru cawed and flew up higher again, looking this way and that. There was a fallen log leaning aganst a pile of built up debris from the storm that had built up along a rock's side. A grown wolf would cause it all to crumble but perhaps a pair of pups could cross it?
With another caw he sailed down and ahead to the river, landing himself on the rotten log. There he began cawing, bobbing himself up and down.
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Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2005 10:44 am
Nafeeza Keefe Nafeeza Keefe Keefe glanced about the dark forest nervously as they walked; having no idea that they were safe. The thought of bears and other wolves attacking them still lurked in his mind and caused him to worry quite a bit. He tried his hardest to not show it; he wanted Naf to think he was brave and all. He sighed; still thinking of the worst when suddenly the caw of a crow from up above distracted his thinking and sent his amber gaze upwards. The puprle pup squinted to barely make out the dark speck of a crow that flew high ahead,
"Hey Naf, I think our crow found something..."
He looked to her and grinned; pace speeding up significantly. Perhaps they were almost out of the forest... In fact Keefe was almost sure that they were. After a few mintues of this quickened pace Keefe burst happily out of the woods and slowed to a halt near the rushing river. His tounge hung out as he panted; taking a short rest from the journey so far. His eyes looked to where the crow sat: upon a rotten old log. Keefe gulped as he went over to it; placing a paw on the wood to test it. He quickly backed up as he saw how spongey it was; definitely not too safe for crossing. That crazy bird wanted them to cross that?
"Think it's safe?"
"Don't you think I should go first? You know.. And test it out?"
He did say he was going to keep her safe... Or maybe he had just thought it.
She smiled with graditude and pushed herself back off the log, claws scraping away flecks of the flaking bark. "Alright, Keefe."
She back away a little to give him room and to watch from the side, where she could see the log above the water. Seeing th rushing white and black water beneath the sagging tree tugged on her confidence. Looking back at Keefe, she gave a useless call of encouragement "Be careful!"
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