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 Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 2:19 pm
Twigs snapped and the ground settled under the sure pale paw as weight shifted forward. A sneer accompanied the crunching sound; at least the wolf had no intention to hunt today. The dried out state of this part of the forest surrounding the oasis would make sneaking around a bit more challenging than she was at means to discomfort herself. Shiam was fast enough to chase down prey without much trickery; sneaking dampened the sport.
It had been awhile since the female had been near the oasis. Last she could remember of it was as a pup following her mother to a more favorable den after a territory dispute had gone horribly wrong, but Shiam did not think herself to dwell on the past, though the scene often played at the back of her mind. She had once had litter mates until that time.
Now strong and able, the wolf made her way back to the land of her foremothers. Shiam was anxious to claim even a piece of the former territory back and was more than able enough to become its alpha by force if necessary. Being a loner, having no pack to rely on, and having a mother slip into the next life so soon after Shiam's hitting adolescence had left the wolf distrusting and strong.
"Welcome home," she whispered in an amused but guttural growl as she bristled and shook her long dense fur.
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Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 9:16 pm
((Sorry for the short reply, Gaia decided to be retarded and eat my orginal reply, which was about 2 times longer than this >.o; ))
A sleek figure lounged on a low branch of a yew tree. His back was balanced along the branch, his head propped against the tree's trunk. Though he was indeed a wolf, his small frame, red fur, and bushy tail often had him mistaken for a fox. Despite his bright fur, he was camouflaged by a long, green, midievil tunic with matching shoes and hat. His provisions, a longbow and a quiver full of arrows, was slung onto a smaller, nearby branch, while his drawstring leather bag of loot was secured to his belt.
Hat tilted lazily over one ear, Robin hummed softly to the tune of 'Greensleeves'. In his forepaws he held a small dagger and a narrow, lightweight plank of wood, which he was carving into a shaft for an arrow. He paused as a glimpse of purple passed by the corner of his eye. Pushing his hat foward to get a better look, Robin peered through the cluster of yew leaves to spot a she-wolf. He looked on for a moment in disbelief, considering she was the first other wolf he had seen since his arrival to the Oasis.
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Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 9:09 pm
Shiam surveyed the area with bored disinterest until a breath of wind carried past her the scent of another. It was unlike the scent of prey; it was another, more canine, scent. Sudden caution stiffened her muscles, causing her hackles to bristle.
The wolf backed up to a tree to avoid ambush before raising her muzzle a bit to see if she could once again catch the scent, all the while her eyes scanning the area with vicious intensity.
Someone was hiding from her, waiting to pounce she was sure. Such paltry tricks made her blood grow hot. "Show yourself! I'm not partial to playing hide-and-seek," she thereby announced with an authoritative tone.
Fear was not a luxury she had time or taste for and she'd rather die fighting if today was to be the day.
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Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 9:49 pm
"Ah, but neither am I."
Robin slipped down to the lowest branch of the yew's short trunk, exposing himself to the other. Dagger tucked away in his belt, he slung his quiver around his back. With precise balance, he sat back on his haunches, pressing a forepaw against the trunk of the tree for support while the other clutched his bow.
Head cocked to the side, Robin studied the she-wolf. His grip on his bow tightened, realizing the other seemed to take his presence as a threat. Though, he was particullary unsure why. Perhaps he had tread on her territory. Perhaps she was of royal blood and knew a theif when she saw one...
Deciding to be curteous before jumping to conclusions, Robin slipped his hat from his head and gave a deep bow, all the while trying to keep his balance on the branch. "Evening, fair maiden. Pardon if I may seemed to have intruded upon you."
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Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 10:18 pm
Of all the reactions the canine expected, this was the farthest from anything her mind could have produced. A rather smallish male, looking rather foxlike and wearing the strange furs of one of those naked monkey things over his natural fur, descended from a tree with strange trappings strapped to his body. Her perplexity only increased as he took a sweeping bow.
Shiam was utterly dumbfounded and took a few moments to compose herself, hoping she didn't look completely daft when she was hoping to convey more of a spirit of authority than inferiority.
With a slight cough, she regain her control though the aggressiveness was lost to the situation. She pondered a response, wondering if it was customary in this territory to bow. Well, she wasn't going to bow. That much she was sure.
"You startled me," Shiam calmly replied, still a little on edge and suppressing the urge to ask many questions about his odd nature. "Is this your territory? I do not smell your markings of ownership."
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Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 11:05 pm
Robin relaxed a bit as the she-wolf's expression turned from agression to bewilderment, as if his appearance seemed quizical. After some thought, he finally concluded that while serveral otters had grown used to the idea of clothing, some wolves still had not adjusted to it.
With a small grin, he shook his head. "No, my territory lays near the north-eastern corner of the Oasis. I was just wandering through here on this fine evening."
Sensing he was not in immediate danger, Robin slung his bow over his shoulder. He half slid, half jumped the rest of the way down the short trunk before ajusting his tunic and sitting down in a more "wolf-like" manner. "May I inquire to as if you are passing through here as well?"
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Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 6:30 am
In boredom, golden eyes blinked slowly into being in the trees above the two wolves. The cat took the slow time to fully materialize silently on the branch, sprawled out as cats often do, head upon paws and eyes half-closed as they watched the other predators with a somewhat curious look.
Known only as a Cheshire Cat, the mysterious creature was largely unknown among the other animals of the Oasis, and that was something of a blessing to it. The Cat had many secrets, hidden deep in those golden eyes, many skeletons within the closet. Secrets that didn't need to be told, skeletons that didn't need to be found.
It considered playing a bit with the wolves beneath it, simply for amusement, but that would take a goodly amount of effort and it was a lazy day indeed, for The Cat at least. So, for the moment, Chesh was content to just lie on the branch and watch the pair.
At least, for the moment, anyways.
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Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 8:37 pm
"You...could say that," Shiam replied forcing an air of nonchalance. No reason to give a stranger more information that necessary. "I am not familiar with this place, as must be painfully aware by my misapprehension."
The wolf sat and swatted at a fly buzzing around her ear with a snowy paw. She had been debating on the other wolf's outer fur coverings. Truthfully she was half afraid of the answer and half worried about offending the smaller canine.
"Tell me," she began, "What are all of the..." Here the wolf floundered for a word to describe Robin's clothing and weaponry. "...items you have there?" Items was an admittedly crappy resort but with the social skills of a loner she was at least trying to be 'friendly'.
The larger wolf failed to notice the change of scent as the feline faded in, gradual as the change was.
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Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 3:32 pm
Robin gave a small nod in understanding. He had been in the reserve for only about a month, but in that time he was able to map out a good portion of the Oasis and generally keep track of where he was.
He idly adjusted the strap for his quiver into a more comfortable position, glacing up peculiarly at the she-wolf's question. "This?" he confirmed, gesturing to his tunic. "Just my attire. My fur isn't all that subtle for stalking in the undergrowth," he admitted with a small, toothy grin. "The green blends with my surroudings," he noted, his whereabouts generally located in the forest. He motioned to his hind paws. "My shoes help cover my tracks and my hat," he gently tapped the slender red feather atop his head, "states my occupation."
Robin paused letting the trichrome wolf take a moment to absorb what he explained to her. So far, she was the only other wolf in the reserve that he knew of, and from what he'd seen, apparently it was more common for the otters to wear clothes than the predators. "These," the small archer added, indicating to his signiture bow and arrows, "Are simply for... long-range hunting, if you will." While there was no kingdom to overthrow, anyways. But there was no need to go into detail about that...
Like the she-wolf, Robin failed to notice the gradual change in scent of the bobcat that loomed above. His ears, however, perked slightly as if aware of some presence nearby.
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Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2008 6:09 pm
"And what occupation is that?" Shiam retorted with a chuckle, amused by the statement. Sitting, the wolf curled her fluffy tail around her front paws, more comfortable now that this other wolf posed no immediate threat. Of course, she was still somewhat on the alert; appearances can surely deceive. However, it was much easier now to portray an air of calm civility. No need for growling or gnashing of teeth.
Mindlessly, she pawed at a particularly resilient weed as she spoke then sat in thought. The weed touch the ground in a less than graceful manner before springing back up.
Realizing neither had made proper introductions, the she-wolf wondered how best to approach the exchange of acquaintances. Feeling it best to play it cool, as it were, Shiam decided to just keep the conversation going to see if it would eventually lead there.
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Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2008 7:40 pm
"An archer, for the most part." He stated simply, running a paw fondly over the smooth wood of his longbow. "I shoot targets from a distance while able to remain hidden and such..." He glanced up to the she-wolf thoughtfully. The small, red wolf considered how the larger breeds lived out here. He knew as much as wolves had packs. He had something similar to a pack before he came to the Oasis. Though there were no Alpha or Beta ranks. Just a band of theives doing all they could in their power to protect Sherwood Forest. But that was then.
"Pardon if my customs seem strange to you," he noted, gazing upwards to adjust his hat so the sun wouldn't hit his eye. "But until I met you, there has been no other wolf here to compare myself to. So far I have encountered many otters who have morals similar to my own. But I assure you, m'lady, compared to some of the residents in this reserve, I am quite sane." he said softly with a sly grin.
Finally tilting his hat properlly, Robin sighed softly and allowed himself to look around, getting the feeling that something besides the two wolves was nearby. "Oh!" he paused from looking and truned back to the trichrome wolf. "Terribly sorry, where are my manners? I," he began, bowing his head curtly to the other, "Am Robin Hood of Loxley. Though, for simplicity, you may call me Robin." He assured with a small wink before rising to his full height, (which may have seemed rather comical compared to the taller wolf).
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Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 3:50 pm
"So there are no more wolves here? That's both a relief and highly distressing." The canine trailed off into thought again. This had once been the territory of the most fearsome pack in the lands. She was a surviving remnant of the rebellion, possibly the only one left. The wolf wondered what had happened to them all, her pack...her family. "We're at least then not treading into protected territory. Explains the lack of scenting."
Watching Robin bow was a little confusing, however, she nodded her head in a facsimile of the gesture. "It is very refreshing to meet anyone who is kind and courteous. And so, I am very pleased to make your acquaintance. My name is Shiam." Her ear twitched as she said her own name; it wasn't a sound she often heard and it was a reminder to even hear it that she did in fact have a name.
After a moment's reflection, the wolf stood and shook the grass and bits of underbrush from her fur. Turning back to Robin with an inquisitive look she continued, "Tell me then, about these otters."
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Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 8:34 pm
"As it is a pleasure to meet you, fair Shiam." he greeted. The archer was particularlly glad to make to make an acquaintance with another without any hostile nature between them. Considering Shiam's question, Robin hummed softly, tilting his head to the side in thought. "Well, I'm not sure I've been here long enough to understand the entirety of the otter situation, but I think I know enough to see that things haven't exactly been working naturally."
"It has come to my attention that there once was a wall around this reserve. It was made to protect the residents from the furless humans. Yet, somehow human influence seemed to affect wildlife in and outside the Oasis, as you can see-" He motioned to his 16th century-stlyed outfit. "Since the wall was torn down, all sorts of strange otters have been appearing. Some for better, some for worse. There have beens groups of the small mammals running about, attacking one another. Not for reasons like wolves, when we attack to settle territory disputes, but for sheer joy. There are..." he paused and tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Cannibal otters that wander around the reserve nowadays."
Robin shook his head. "The title 'Predator' used to hold a certain meaning to it. But now that are barely any wolves or bobcats around these parts, all the otters have to fear are themselves. If there are any more wolves besides you and I, they've done a brilliant job of staying hidden..." He steadily rocked back on his haunches and sighed warily.
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Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2008 6:39 pm
The Cat yawned as the lax conversation continued on and on. It was rather boring, but there was not much else to do, really.
What the small wolf was saying, about cannibal otters and the few predators around caught the Cat's ear, however. Gold eyes rose along with lips into a grin and Chesh rose from the perch.
"Vampiric, actually," the soft, amused voice said from the branches above the two wolves. "They have a taste for the blood of others, not generally the whole otter. Though that is not much of a care, its how they were made. And I know I am rather difficult to find, since I'm not always here... Or there, for that matter. And there is a good market for... Keeping the peace," Chesh purred, unraveling into invisibility until all that showed of the strange creature were two very gold eyes.
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