|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 2:04 pm
For a moment she thought she caught that subtle wry tone - but it disappeared as quickly as it had came as he moved on, and Naiad could only blink and follow Kai's line of inquiry. While normally she'd poke and prod about others, this only happened while said wolf would try to invade the packlands without giving a good reason why; today, while the teen was curious as to why Kai's well-wishes even remotely sounded bitter, she decided to leave it be.
"I don't think of them as weak, actually," Naiad began thoughtfully, still bobbing about loosely in the water. "They have their strengths and weaknesses just like we do. They have distinct lifestyles, eating habits, and even sleeping habits. Mind you, I don't defend any other creature besides fish mainly because the most those poor critters can do is hope to be fast enough to slide through careless paws or teeth. Even the smallest rabbit has speed on its side. Fish can't even fight back beyond trying to slide out; that's why I try and protect them when I can."
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 4:21 pm
"Ah," he said, not entirely understanding this but thinking there was something quite noble in her reasoning all the same. A champion of the helpless...he fancied himself something like that now, didn't he? He smiled a little, thinking about a meeting he had recently and a discussion, still fresh in his mind, and their determined meeting place again. He considered, for a moment, asking if this sunny-toned female would consider joining in his cause, but decided against it; she seemed content, and he dared not risk any offense just yet. "Truth be told, I don't think I've ever paid them much heed, except to catch them. I suppose that is a transgression on my part."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 4:30 pm
"Or just a wolf's instincts to survive," Naiad replied with a tiny shrug. "Even if I think the smell of fish on you is a little repulsive. Mind, eventually you're going to have to leave the water's side; even I have to, and that's really saying something. Whole family loves the water; well maybe not Mom as much, but still. Land's not as scary as you think, and the flowers are all probably blooming now," she added with a smile. "I bet if you checked out the nearest forest, you'll strike gold with prey. They're all starting to come out now after the winter hibernation some take.
"Or you could ask to stay with us if you want. We don't mind travellers so long as they don't bring trouble, but that should be obvious, right? I bet if you ask nicely enough too, someone'll teach you how to hunt." It was still embarassing that she couldn't, adolescent or not; wasn't it a staple of a wolf's skill to knowh ow to hunt effectively?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 4:45 pm
"We could learn together, if you want," he said, gently; he kind of liked the idea of sticking around now that she mentioned it, until things were sorted out with the offer he had been given... "...I was taught, once, when I was prince--" he winced, catching himself, and changed tack, "Well, anyway, I have been hunting before...maybe I just need a bit of practice."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 4:57 pm
Together? But what if she was slow on the uptake? She'd hate to be a hindrance . . . "Maybe, if you stay," Naiad said with a nod, though the chance of being the only unpracticed wolf was unappealing. What if she embarassed herself? She flushed a tad, glad to be able to latch onto something else in the conversation. "Aha! So you are a prince! I thought you sounded too formal for just a regular wolf."
The sunny wolf grinned at him and bowed her head, most of her snout disappearing under the water. "My apologies, sir, I should've followed my gut feeling and treated you with the proper respect for someone of your title earlier on instead of yelling about fish rights you had nothing to do with. You should've just told me instead of letting me go on like an idiot!" she said with a little laugh. "Now I have to insist that you stay with us, at least for a night. Can't have royalty running amok without being protected, right?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 5:01 pm
He wrinkled his nose in distaste, and he looked quite young then -- he really was only barely on the other side of his adolescence, and sometimes his youth shone through in his eyes. "I told you, I'm just a wanderer now, to be treated like anybody else." He looked up at her, a bit sheepishly, but something fierce gleamed in his expression as well; so far, at least, he had yet to abandon his ideals. "I believe in equal rights of all wolf-kind, whatever their birthright."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 5:11 pm
"Still, you can't help your past, right? That alpha's son guy I mentioned earlier? He kept gallavanting about as a prince too, but he was nothing like you, which just goes to show that I guess I can't say all princes are snobs and downright annoying~" She giggled a bit at his wrinkled face, diving down into the water briefly to cool herself off; the sun had been shining on the back of her neck for a while now.
"Well, I believe what you say then, Kai - or should I call you Prince Kai?" Naiad asked teasingly. "Nothing wrong with acknowledging your status, inside a pack or not. So, are you feeling like going out hunting on your own, or d'you feel like coming with me and trying your luck with one of the hunters here with me for a day?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 5:25 pm
He splashed a pawful of water at her, almost reflexively, in response to her teasing, and grinned; he felt rather comfortable in her presence, and something of his puppishness was creeping out because of it. "I should like to come with you, I think," he said, a bit timidly, "...if that's alright?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 5:43 pm
Naiad managed to dodge away from the splash, grinning evilly at him as she considered splashing right back. But first - "Well it's just fine with me, sir~ Follow me back to homebase and we'll see what happens. If you can keep up, princeling!" With that, she sent a wide splash at him and, laughing, she took off downstream, paddling like mad. Ah, what would her parents say about this, bringing strangers in? Ah well, her day was no longer boring!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 9:38 pm
He leapt to his paws, tail waving behind him like a banner, and he dove in behind her, swimming as easily as an otter; it never occurred to him to run alongside the bank. "Don't call me princeling!" he called after her, laughter in his voice as he paddled furiously to try and catch up.
He wasn't sure what he'd just gotten himself into...but it certainly seemed exciting.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
