|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Mon Nov 22, 2010 1:30 pm
 Peyton looked about, ears perked and nose raised for any sign of her brother as she lay on the sun-warmed grass. Her expression was one of concern, but not overly so, for she knew that Chinook, her brother, was only out hunting, and that he would be back eventually. It was true that the world could hold many dangers for a wolf, and that hunting itself could be life-threatening, but he had promised her he’d be safe, and it wasn't as if this was his first time out alone…
Still, it didn’t make her any less worried. Under normal circumstances, they might have gone together, he in order to better look after her, and she in hopes of learning how to hunt, as her numerous attempts had been nothing more than laughable. It was always an option, but for now, it was an impossibility, and her hind leg, with its puckered tear and matter fur, was proof of that.
A few days before, she had stumbled along a dry river and her foot had caught on a nook made by the round, water-smoothed pebbles. The fall itself hadn’t been rough, but a jagged outcropping of stone had torn into her flank and ever since, the muscle behind it had stung her with every step she took from her hind paw.
It was healing well and, if she wanted, she could walk on three paws, but not well or quick enough for her to be able to aid anyone with… well, anything. And so, with a regretful sigh, she dropped her head between her paws and waited for her brother to return.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Nov 22, 2010 8:12 pm
Azul growled, legs spread apart, tail swishing. He kept his gaze steady, readying himself. He wiggled his rear, and at the count of 3, he pounced.
Splash!
He tumbled into the stream, the salmon soaring over his head before it plopped back into the water and swam away. Azul grumbled.
''That's the 5th time!''
He climbed back onto the bank and shook himself off, flinging water droplets everywhere. He sighed. How hard could it be to catch a fish?!
He tried again, keeping close watch of their movement. At the right moment, he swiped his paw, and managed to hit the fish, knocking it to the other side of the bank.
''Sweet!''
He jumped into the river and swam to the other side, clamping his jaws around the wriggling salmon and silencing its movement. As soon as he finished, he turned back towards stream, readying to catch another unsuspecting fish.
After he had his fill, Azul stretched out and yawned. Eating too much always made him sleepy. He picked up the last remaining salmon, planning on saving it for later. He trotted along the bank, wagging his tail happily. Today had been a good day. It wasn't often he was able to find some a good catch.
As the sun began to set, Azul looked about for a place to settle and prepare for the night. A flash of light brown caught his eye, and he stopped, turning his attention towards the trees. A squirrel? He smiled, and began racing towards the patch. He stopped in his tracks, as he realized it wasn't a squirrel.
Before him was a female wolf. Not yet an adult, but still older than him. He cocked his head. It looked as if she was waiting for someone. He looked around. There was no one in sight. He wondered if she had been abandoned, and noticed something out of the corner of his eye. He stared at her leg, noticing a light yet visible scar. She was injured... Azul pitied her, remembering the time he had been injured. He glanced down at his salmon. Maybe she was hungry?
Though he normally didn't socialize with others, he was curious about her situation, and wished to ask what she was doing there. With a deep breath, he slowly headed towards her.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2010 12:35 pm
Morning fell away to dusk when Peyton first heard paw steps, and she looked up eagerly and expectantly, searching about for her brother. She could smell salmon, which brought a smile to her lips as she recalled the time when she herself had left to look for some fish for the both of them. But something was off, and what she heard was different than her brother’s familiar gait… Surprised, she looked down to see the source of the smell was much lower than it should have been, and caught sight of a small, blue pup.
It was true she was disappointed, but the emotion did not register on her face. She was much too intrigued to feel the negativities of it and instead tilted her head curiously, wondering what the pup was doing there and why. She didn’t sense any older wolves – his parents – around, and he didn’t carry the look of one lost or afraid. It reminded her about Gabriel, a young golden tiger-pelted pup she had once met who had believed he was capable of taking care of himself. She and her brother were unable to take him in but she hoped that, at the very least, he had found a pack for himself.
Attention returning to the small male, she gave one more look around before asking, “Are you alone?”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2010 4:10 pm
As the female turned her gaze towards him, Azul sat down, and placed the salmon he had in his jaws on the ground. He turned to look at the wolf.
''Yes, I'm alone. Why do you ask?''
He wondered if it was because of his age. He had always been alone... as long as he could remember. Since the day of the fire... he stiffened, as it brought back memories. He could barely remember their faces. Mom, dad... A lump grew in his throat, and he tried to shake the thought away. No... he had to be strong, he couldn't show others his weakness.
He thought back to what the lone wolf had told him. ''You are never alone... remember that. What happened in the past can't be changed, but the future is yours to control. '' He looked at the markings on his paws. ''The markings will be the key to unlocking your past...'' He had no idea what that wolf meant, but something told him that the wolf knew something about his past. He desperately wanted to know, but he knew he had to be patient. ''When you are older... stronger... wiser... You will find out the truth.''
Azul snapped out of his thoughts, and remembered that the female was still watching him. He cocked his head to the side.
''Are you alone also? It's not safe for girls to be out alone, especially if injured...''
His voice trailed off, and he looked at her hind leg. He wondered if she could walk. He remembered the salmon laying at his feet, and thought, perhaps, she didn't eat yet. He nudged the salmon towards her.
''Are you hungry? I meant to save this for later, but I'm kinda tired of fish. Would you like it?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2010 3:30 pm
Peyton folded her ears back, perplexed by the pup’s response. Was he honestly curious as to why she was asking? He didn’t sound sarcastic, or anything of the sort, and seemed genuinely interested, but... wasn’t it obvious? A pup couldn’t hunt well as its parents, and they were small enough to be carried away by eagles and killed by weasels, along with bears, lynxes, and other predators that wouldn’t mind an easy snack, not to mention the fact that they weren’t old enough to protect themselves from the weather with their coats and lacked the knowledge and experience to find a good shelter on their own…
Eyes drifting down and landing on the fish, she concluded that he had been alone since only recently, and that the meal around his paws was given to him by an older wolf, most likely one that was part of his family, his pack. And, despite her thoughts, she didn’t remain oblivious to the changes in the pup’s features, and watched with worry as he stiffened and grew distant, as if her question had brought up a bad memory. Hoping to shake him out of it, she replied.
“Because… because you’re a pup. It’s not safe for you…” She was about to add an “either” at the end of her statement, but found it to be… odd. His wording, that was. She knew, with some regret, that his words were true. The spoils of her hunts, or lack thereof, and her injured flank were enough to show her that. But the way he said it, as if it was her gender and not her skills and wound that made it dangerous for her to be alone… No, she didn’t agree with that, and let her sentence fade away, the implied agreement that would have occurred with her addition of “either” never said.
“I’m alone now, but,” here, she broke off, looking around again, her eyes searching, before she continued. “I’m waiting for my brother.”
At the pup’s offer, she smiled. “Thank you,” she said sincerely, leaning over to lick the pup’s head once before bringing the fish closer to her. It was gone in a few bites, bones and all, and, licking her maw, she asked inquisitively, “Why are you by yourself…?” Her question broke off blankly, and she realized that they had yet to exchange any sort of greeting at all. Embarrassed, she added, “My name’s Peyton. What’s yours?”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2010 11:04 pm
''My name is Azul, and... I've been alone... as long as I can remember...''
His voice trailed off, as distant memories of his parents flooded in. He remembered bits of his father teaching him to hunt, his mother cleaning him when he got dirty... Azul's eyes wandered off. The truth of him being able to hunt and fend for himself was due to his father. Having an alpha for a father did have it's perks... He remembered that he was not alone, and mentally kicked himself for constantly wandering off in his thoughts. He smiled, trying to let her know that she didn't have to worry.
''Ah, but it's alright. I can still take care of myself. I learned to hunt at a very young age.''
He sensed that she was hesitant to answer, and wondered if he had offended her.
''I uh... I didn't mean to offend you. It's just that... I noticed you hurt your leg, and, well...''
He paused, trying to figure out how to choose his words, but figured there wasn't really anything he could say to make the situation better. He lowered his head.
''I'm sorry if I offended you.''
He felt something wet on the top of his head, and looked up to see Peyton carry the fish off, finishing it off in a blink of an eye. He blinked. She sure seemed hungry. He looked around, and wondered if it had been a long time since she had eaten. She had mentioned she was waiting for her brother? It was getting late... what would take him so long to come back for his sister? Azul turned towards Peyton.
''It's starting to get late... maybe you should find some shelter.''
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2010 2:00 am
Peyton cocked her head, once more faced with a comment she hadn’t expected. How long had the pup, Azul, been alone, she wondered, and how come he didn’t remember? Did he have amnesia? What of his pack and parents? Even if he had forgotten, wouldn’t there have been others who remembered? Just what had happened to them?
His distracted appearance brought her train of questions to a halt and she wondered what he was thinking of now, and whether it was related to his memories before, just like his next comment made her think of her own previous memories. Gabriel was once more in her thoughts, and she was struck by the resemblance between the Gabriel she had known and the pup before her now and she found herself telling Azul the same thing she had told Gabriel when he had been but a pup, when they had first met months before, although modified to match the comment she had been given.
“Knowing and doing are different things,” she told him softly, hoping not to offend, oblivious to the knowledge that the fish he had given her had been caught by himself. “Even if you know how to hunt… can you do it?” Her question was asked without any sort of mocking tone and, looking at his short legs, knowing he lacked the stamina to go after prey (or even put up much of a fight if he was able to catch up to one, considering his size)… she found herself doubting his ability.
“No,” she said quickly when the pup began to apologize, saddened by the knowledge that she had caused him to lower his head that way. “It’s all right.”
At Azul’s suggestion, she shook her head. Her brother had found her a small cave to sleep in if he returned late, close enough and above ground so that it wouldn’t be too much trouble for her to get there, but she didn’t want to leave her waiting spot. Not yet, at least. “I’ll stay,” she told him, then lowered her head to give him a gentle nudge. “But you should go. It’s cold at night. There’s a cave over there,” she said, motioning with her muzzle off to the side. “You can’t miss it.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2010 7:37 pm
The question caught Azul by surprise. He blinked, not knowing how to answer.
''O-of course I know how to hunt! What kind of wolf doesn't know how to hunt?!.''
He then remembered the trouble he had trying to catch salmon, and how it had took his the whole morning and afternoon just catching a half dozen.
''Well... I guess I'm still not very good at it...''
He looked down at his paws, remembering how he had injured it about a week ago, chasing after a squirrel. He hadn't looked where he was going, and had tripped over a tree root, sending him tumbling down a hill and spraining his right paw in the process. He had to settle for eating whatever leftovers he found, and it wasn't terribly satisfying.
Azul looked over at the cave Peyton pointed at. It was true it was getting dark, and that he himself should find shelter also, but he felt wrong leaving the girl wolf by herself. It was true that she was probably older and more experienced than him, but something told him it was better to stay with her and wait until her brother came back. He got up, and shook his head.
''No, it's alright, I don't need to go yet..''
He looked around.
''Ah, maybe I can stay with you a bit longer, if you don't mind. It's been a while since I've met another wolf, and I know you're probably wondering what a kid like me is doing wandering around by himself, but...''
He paused, wondering what he should say.
''...but I don't really remember a lot about my past. All I remember is that it's not nice to leave a girl waiting by herself.''
He sat back down, and smiled.
''Maybe you could tell me something about yourself in the meantime?.''
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Dec 01, 2010 7:30 pm
At Azul’s comment, she lowered her ears sympathetically. She herself had a hard time hunting, after all, but at least she had her brother. Azul was alone, which, despite the fact that she had met another lone pup before, still surprised her. She wondered how long he had been by himself and how he had survived but, most importantly, how he ended up this way. Wolves valued new life highly, and she hadn’t expected one simply lose a pup. Yet she had met one not once, but twice now, with neither offering much insight on the specifics of it all. She felt worried for Azul and, although she wanted to ask once more how he ended up separated from his parents, she felt that he had been honest the first time she had inquired and chose not to press the matter, instead wondering how she might be able to help.
She knew she and her brother wouldn’t be able to take care of a pup – it was the reason Gabriel couldn’t stay with them, either. They traveled too often and were unable to provide the shelter and protection a pup needed in his earlier years, not to mention the fact that, being alone, she and Chinook, her brother, would be unable to bring in an ample source of food and wouldn’t have much time or, in some cases, the knowledge, to teach a pup the necessary skills he needed. No, unless she and her brother happened to find a welcoming pack, and soon, it wouldn’t be possible.
When Azul rejected the offer to leave and brought up the question she had just been thinking, her ears perked up in both surprise and curiosity, but he soon answered his own question, and it was as detailed as his last response had been. Still, she appreciated the effort and when he said he’d stay, she didn’t try to sway him otherwise although she worried his fur wouldn’t be thick enough for him to stay out long. Shifting a bit, she tried to wrap her tail around him, at least, or beckon him closer to her side.
“What’s there to tell?” eventually said towards the pup's latest question, taken aback. She hadn't expected the question but it should have been obvious, seeing as the majority of their meeting thus far had her asking him the same, albeit with different wording.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Dec 01, 2010 9:48 pm
Feeling something brush against him, he looked to see Peyton's tail brush against his side, as if allowing him to stay. He inched closer, hoping that their combined body heat would keep each other warm as the sun's warmth was slowly diminishing.
Azul blinked, not expecting Peyton to respond as she did. He wondered if he had crossed a boundary.
''Um... I don't know... maybe your favourite food, or favourite time of day...? Just until your brother comes back...''
He scratched his ears with his hind legs, trying the make the best of the awkward moment.
''Well... I thought, to pass the time... we could share something about ourselves, but I really don't know what to say...'
He considered telling her the reason why he was alone, but the memory itself still scared him, and he couldn't bring himself to mention it. He looked back at Peyton, hoping she hadn't taken his words the wrong way.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2010 9:10 pm
At first, Peyton shrunk back from the pup’s presence, hind foot folding closer to her side when her tail, short enough so that it wouldn’t touch the ground as she walked, led him in a trail much closer to her wound than she would have liked. Thankfully, he avoided it completely and to compensate for her tail’s short reach, she curled around him some as they settled, her lips pursed in a thoughtful way as she thought over his suggestions.
“Well,” she started, staring too fixedly in the distance as if in hopes that it would give her some inspiration to notice Azul’s worrisome silence. “I like deer, but we rarely ever get those,” she said with a small laugh. Of course, with just the two of them so young, it wasn’t surprising, and as was evident by her laugh, it wasn’t something she was too bothered about. Growing up could take as much time as it needed, in her opinion.
“And… I suppose the daytime would be my favorite,” she replied, almost embarrassed for having said it. It was unnatural for a wolf to be diurnal, and admitting to having a fondness for the day was just the same, she thought, but what she had said… it was true. Like the way a human would be captivated by the moon when its soft glow offered little light for protection and hid many dangers, so she, too, found the day fascinating, even when its heat scorched against her fur and its luminescence took away from her sight.
“But what of you?” she wondered, eyes turning to him curiously. “Do you prefer the night when the hunt is easiest, and revel in the taste of your spoils?” she asked playfully, nipping his ear and thumping her tail on the ground. The longer she spoke, the more she found she liked being with the pup. She loved spending time with her brother, but the early death of their parents and his forced growth had made him lose the puppyish innocence he once had, and although he was always kind and tried to be lighthearted with her, there was always a touch of seriousness about him – one that the pup didn’t have.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2010 11:19 pm
He flickered his tail, and pondered the question, glad that Peyton hadn't been offended. The mention of deer made him smile, as it was rare for him to even get a taste of it, considering his size and age.
''Haha, deer... I don't think I've ever tried one, but I'd like to one day...''
He thought back the last time he tried hunting a deer. It was only a fawn, but before he could even blink, she had already sensed his presence and bounded off, leaving him standing there dumb-struck. Other times weren't so lucky, and he ended up on the other side of the food chain, being chased down by bucks with their large antlers. It was then he decided it would be a while before he would ever know what they tasted like.
He pondered about the second question. Day had its charm, with it being warmer and easier to spot prey, but darkness also gave protection and security... His eyes flickered for a brief moment as memories of the fire came back. It was so hot, so bright... the pain... he stiffened as he remembered it, almost so clearly. There was no doubt which he'd prefer more.
''N-Night...''
He shook his head, getting rid of the memory and confirming his choice
''I definitely like night more. It's a lot more quiet, and I guess easier to hunt, although I do most of my hunting during the day...''
He wondered why he had never thought about hunting at night. Surely it would be easier as most of the prey would be caught off guard sleeping...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Dec 23, 2010 4:00 pm
Peyton nodded reassuringly at Azul’s words, confident about the subject. “You will,” she told him, with no doubtful flattening of the ears or questioning frown. It was simply fact for her, ingrained with her knowledge of packs, for she knew that wolves came together not only for family and bonds and company, but to hunt, too – to hunt much larger prey than one alone could catch with ease. She was sure every wolf would manage to try some, assuming they had lived long enough to hunt.
However, when he next spoke, her usual uncertainty returned, and his predicament – of he being alone and uncared for – was made more conspicuous. It caught her off guard, to hear of him trying to hunt at such a young age, and again to know that he attempted it in the day when all wolves she knew of preferred to sleep during the time and wake in the evening. And he thought the night quiet? To a wolf, it should have been the opposite, when sounds were at their loudest, but that was because it would be the time a wolf would hunt – because Azul tried during the day, it would make sense. Still, it was unexpected. It had never occurred to her how different one could end up becoming if they had different parents, or none at all, to look after them, and her thoughts went towards Chinook for a brief moment, and she hoped he would return soon. He had been gone for nearly two days now, and although it came as no surprise to her, it was still worrisome.
“We should get inside,” she said suddenly, head pivoting to look at the den she had offered him before, as if to ensure nothing had gone into it or it hadn’t magically disappeared while they had conversed. It looked the same as before and, reassured, she nudged Azul to prompt him up before awkwardly trying to stand herself, hobbling towards the cave once she had settled herself on her three, non-hurting paws.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 8:58 pm
((Sorry for taking so long Ryu! Totally forgot about this. D: ))
Azul felt a nudge as he noticed Peyton seeming to urge him towards the cave. He wondered if something had happened to startle her, but he got up regardless, and watched as she slowly got up, managing to keep off her injured paw.
He walked in pace with her, staying close enough to help support her if she stumbled, yet far enough so he didn't intrude in her personal space. He knew certain females were touchy about how close they allowed others to come, but he was sure it was just out of comfort. He wasn't sure he'd like it if another wolf he didn't know too well decided to cozy up to him.
The sun had finally set, and darkness began to creep in. Azul was sure he heard an owl hoot, as if preparing for its night hunt. He agreed with Peyton. It would be safer inside the cave. It was rare, but not impossible, for rogue wolves or bears to be wandering about. Even though he considered himself not weak, and Peyton was still older than he, he was pretty sure they wouldn't be able to defend themselves too well had something large decided to attack them.
Turning his attention back towards the cave ahead of them, he began to ponder what to do, as her brother didn't seem like he would be coming back anytime soon.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jan 15, 2011 7:00 pm
((Don't worry about it. I was busy during the time, so I didn't mind at all. XD))
As they walked, Peyton noticed how Azul stayed near her, but not too close. Mistaking it for fear on his part (of both the outside and going too near), she tilted her steps slightly so that it would take her closer to him as they walked, but only gradually, so that the movement seemed natural and not on purpose. Males had such pride (and females, too, although it was notably less common in them than males) and she didn't want to hurt Azul's.
Thankfully, it was only a short walk to the cave, and they reached it quickly enough. It was small, evidently picked out and chosen for the purpose of housing only a single wolf comfortably. Still, Azul was only a pup and Peyton was sure they could both fit. She waited by the mouth for him to go in first, so that he would be away from anything – be it wind or predator – coming in from the entrance.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
![[A.V.]'s avatar](https://a1cdn.gaiaonline.com/dress-up/avatar/ava/8d/f2/221070ca3ff28d_flip.png?t=1546143856_6.00_11&pl=15)