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Isaac awoke with a jolt, he was shivering twitchily, and his eyes grew wide, jaw hanging slightly. It was the first time he'd slept properly since starting the journey to the Seer. The first time he'd seen the effects on his dream/visions.
...He couldn't remember what he'd dreamt. But he always did, it was always fresh in his mind! He felt lost, and he sat there silently staring at the cave wall, mind reeling.
After a while he blinked and licked his dry mouth. Perhaps that was a good sign.. Perhaps it meant they were going to leave him. They were just visions of the past, afterall, the same thing over and over. The thing he never saw with his own eyes.
But what if this one had been different, something useful.. Something.. bad! He started to panic again, he bounced up from the ground and shot out of his cave blindly.

Raine was in the forest, her dirty fur in a heap around her as she lay against a tree stump and chewed heartily on a small rabbit she had somehow managed to catch. Despite the animal's size, it was a feast for the dainty pup; and it had seemed like almost a lifetime since her last meal, which most likely made this particular rabbit taste even more delicious.

The small blue (and partially brown) pup's moment of pure bliss ended as she filled her stomach, and only then noticed a scent filling the air she had potentially-fatally ignored during her hunt. It was the undeniable smell of wolves; they were close, too.

Perhaps they were friendly..?

Isaac was now running full pelt through the forest. He'd forgotten himself for a moment, instinct and habit had overcome him and was heading in the direction of the Seer's den. He had to talk to her again, to ask her what it meant.
..That was when he ran into the pup. Well, almost. He would have crushed her if he had. Instead he'd tripped on a tree root right infront of her and gone flying over her, half skidding, half tumbling to a halt a few feet beyond her. He lay still on his back for a while, eyes wide again. It didn't cross his mind that he may be injured..
What had he been thinking, he'd forgotten what he'd done already?? "She's dead.." he whispered aloud.

Raine jerked away from the rabbit corpse in surprise, frantically scrambling away from the large wolf who had suddenly appeared. "Dead?" She repeated, blinking her wide eyes confusedly whilst looking around for some sort of body. "Who is dead?" She added in her mind.

Her eyes darted from the wolf, to the rabbit, to the tree stump, to the wolf.. Then back to the rabbit... Oh no. Raine whimpered, a terrified expression etched across her maw. This was bad. This was very bad. Could I... Could I have eaten his rabbit?!

"I'm sorry!!" She howled, her ears pressing against her skull and her tail falling between her legs as she skittered further from both the male wolf and the animal carcass in sheer dread. "Y-you can have what's left! I didn't mean to-"

Isaac still lay there blinking, until he heard the squeak of an echo. His limbs jumped slightly as he hadn't realised he had company. His mind just saw an opportunity however.

He groaned and 'attempted' to sit up, only to slump back to the ground again. "You're dead, you little thief!" he growled, "First you steal my only meal for days, and then you almost kill me??" he paused for a second as if in thought.
"Mm.. If you were smart, you'd bring the rest to me. Then maybe, just maybe.. i wouldn't kill you." he snorted finally.

Bring the rest to him..?? Raine whimpered quietly, her tiny frame shivering in fright and her head down; but her large eyes never leaving the even larger wolf. The pup finally let out a low whine as she hesitantly padded towards the rabbit, gently picking it up with her teeth and placing it close to the wolf. As soon as it was set down, she scrambled away again in fear. "I'm sorry!!..." She repeated again, tears brimming from her eyes.

"Hrmf," he grunted, "You should be. In fact, you should be dead. Count your lucky stars, kid. What's your name, eh?" he asked absently as he reached for what was left of the rabbit with his paw and dragged it closer. He eyed it for a moment before practically eating it whole then licking his chops. He then pulled himself from the ground and turned to the pup, moving forward with a slight limp but otherwise fine. His eyes narrowing as he waited for an answer from the terrified creature.

The small pup winced as the wolf swallowed the rest of the carcass quicker than it would take her to blink. He looked as though he could eat her whole as well, and such a thought sent another shiver up her spine.

"R-Raine!" She promptly squeaked in reply to his question, her entire body aching with anxiety. She lowered her head further in respect as his daunting form loomed over her, biting back on her tongue in attempt to silence her fearful whimpers.

Isaac bathed in the fear which wafted from the pup. He didn't know why, perhaps because it made him feel stronger, because in her eyes, he was a force not to be reckoned with. And he loved that.

"Oh what a pretty name." he said blandly. "Look, i can see you're not entirely.. comfortable. And i have no use for a pup like you, so uh. Thanks for the meal and.." his tongue played across his teeth as he moved closer. "..I'll see you around." he smirked finally before moving past her and back through the undergrowth to his cave.

Raine swallowed down her cries of fear as the wolf edged closer, her heart pounding as though it was ready to explode; and then practically stopping as he padded away. She sighed deeply in relief and flopped to the ground, reflecting on her recent 'near-death-experience'.

"..Th-thanks." she mumbled to no one in particular, as she wandered away into the woods again.

Soul sat on her haunches. panting slightly. she wagged her tail slowly. then the scents of two other wolves came to her nose. wiffing in she scented a male and a pup. she sat up, her ears flicking back. she then let out a warning howl. not a threatening one, just one to signal she is approaching, and was no harm. with a low bark, she began to slowly charge towards the two, in completly excitment to see new wolves about. yet, one seemed very familar....

'Course it's okay, Devvyl told her. And from what Hige tells me, there's going to be another pup as well. I haven't met him yet, but I trust Hige. I'm sure you two will get along.

The pup's eyes glistened, her face beaming with excitement and happiness. "Thank you so much, Devvyl," she cried, wagging her little tail.

But her joy quickly changed into uncertainty as she heard the howl and the sound of an approaching wolf. Was this one of his friends, or.. Someone else? She instincively stood and padded nearer to Devvyl, peeking out towards the sound from behind his red fur.

Soul moved closer, fear being wiffed up. her eyes bugged out as she looked out, spotting a small wolf pup. and an alpha. 'jeeze. why is it always me runnin' into them alpha's ' she let out a 'laugh' then troted towards them. she smelt the familar scent again. Seila....but it wasn't her. was it...Devvyl? the alpha of Elphie and the others pack? she looked fowards, stareing at them. then nodded with respect to the alpha. 'pardon me....but i thought i would know one of you.....' her nose twitched. the male had a very strong scent. very familar. one of her pup friends?

Devvyl stood above his new charge protectively as he heard the howl, and noted with slight concern that Raine was rather quick to scamper closer to him. Was that just how she was, or did that mean someone had frightened her badly at one point in her life? Whatever the reason, it didn't matter.

He let out a howl of his own, sort of a "I'm here, come at your own risk". He knew not who it was, but his guard was up, in case the other canine had intentions that were less than friendly.

And then a wolf Devvyl recognized stepped into view. He blinked. ...Soul?

soul looked to Devvyl. her eyes looking up to him. she smiled to him, in her odd canine way. 'Devvyl! its you! wow, have you grown!' she leaped up slightly, in suprise. her tail flashing about as she stood, hankles slightly lowered in respect.

Devvyl barked a friendly greeting. So've you, it seems! It's been a long time. How has your life been?

soul nodded to Devvyl. 'yes, it has been a while. i have been well. and you, i see you have a pack.' she thought about it for a moment. does he know she's in his pack? she smiled thou'. that question would be asked later on.

Raine paused, before slowly edging out from behind Devvyl and eyeing the female wolf cautiously. "You know her?"

She relaxed her position, but stayed close to Devvyl all the same. "H-hello." The pup greeted timidly, sitting down close beside her new alpha.

Soul nodded to the pup. 'hello. and who are you?' she said politly. her nose twitching, her ears erect.

Yes, pack life is coming soon, Devvyl nodded. Selia and I need to get everyone together before we can scout out our own territory, though.

He gazed down to Raine. Soul, this is Raine, she'll be coming with us. Raine, this is Soul; I met her when I was about your age. He smiled down at her, then looked back to Soul. What about you, Soul? Who will you be going with?

He assumed she'd be going with the other alpha in the area; she'd mentioned something about that pack the last time they'd met, oh-so-long ago.

She nodded as Devvyl replied for her, sniffing curiously at the other, who was now identified as 'Soul'. She couldn't help but feel insignificant in comparison to both of the large wolves, her petite form was perhaps even slightly undersized for her age. Her fear lessened though as she listened to the two converse, and she began to feel comfortable again.

Soul nodded to him, then she sat silent as the next question was heard. 'um.....well Devvyl.......Selia had invited me into the pack temporiarily...just till winter blows over. or maybe if i.....am....welcomed...i might stay longer....if its ok though.' she lowered her head. her mind now raced with this answer. was it good enough? what would he say? she some what freaked out as she awaited his responce, looking and smileing to Raine. 'its nice to meet you Raine' quickly tring to change subject.

Of course it's okay, Devvyl told the older female, suddenly feeling like a broken record. He took a step toward her. You were the first wolf I met when I stumbled into the woods, and you gave me shelter. I couldn't forget that. You're always welcome.

Soul looked to Devvyl, then nodded. 'thank you.' she nipped at him friendly then looked to the pup and smiled. 'so Raine, you are new about here 'eh?' she let out a woof then stood up slightly, more at ease.

Raine nodded quietly in reply, easing her stance a bit more. "Devvyl was kind enough to let me come with him and his pack." She grinned, her excitement returning. She looked up at him with admiration in her blue eyes. "I'm very grateful of it."

soul looked to her. 'then i guess i'll be seeing you more often.' with a soft smile, soul looked at the pup, then to Devvyl then back to the ground. her tail wagging wildly.

"I hope so," Raine replied, smiling politely at Soul.

This felt so right, being with other wolves. She had missed it dearly. There wasn't a need to be afraid anymore. She wasn't alone anymore.

Raine smiled again at the two wolves, with a thoughtful glimmer in her eyes. I'm not alone anymore, am I?..

soul sat, haunched over, panting slightly. her tonge lolling out. she smiled again to the pup, then stood. 'i'm hungry, better fetch me some food. care to come?' she looked to Devvyl, then to the pup. not really expecting them to acompany her or anything.

The faint scent of Elphie filled her nose as she let out a bark.

Raine's ears twitched slightly at the word 'food' (mostly out of habit), but she shook her head, looking at the fawn carcass near them. She'd had her fill of food now, thanks to Devvyl. "I think I'm going to go find the river, if that's okay?" She glanced at her elders before looking over her matted, dirty fur and wrinkling her nose. "I haven't bathed in a while."

soul smirked at the sudden greeting and smiled, trotting towards her and the others about them. she didn't mean to leave Devvyl and Raine alone, but she did. with a long sigh she barked to them, telling them that should would return, then looked to Elphie. 'hello Elphie.'

The pup blinked as she watched the older female bound off, and she gave Devvyl a polite nod before going towards the river.

It wasn't difficult to find, either. She padded towards a shallow part of the shore and waded in, the cold water soaking through her fur. She lapped up a bit of it with her tongue before dipping her head in to wash off all of the dirt and mud.

Elphaba looked up at the bleak sky, fern green eyes squinted to avoid the still bright glare of the sun behind the otherwise darkened clouds. A tiny p***k of cold touched her nose and she licked her lips, a little disconcerted. It was first snow. So this what what the older wolves had talked about. Elphie had always listened with fascination to tales of winter. She breathed out a cloud of silver vapor, deep in thought. These tiny crystals could blanket an entire forest? The female remained standing, her tail a banner of browns held out behind her as she stood in the slow swirling powder, almost zen-like.
How strange the whole idea of winter seemed. Elphaba frowned as she tried to puzzle the whole phenomena out, she was not used to not understanding things.

Raine stepped away from the others for a second as something caught her eye. A dot. A white dot in the sky, falling down..

She watched it land on the ground, just as another white fleck landed right between her eyes. It was cold! A second later, it was gone; melted into water. What was that?

She spotted another falling through the air about a foot ahead of her, and rushed forward with her mouth opened up wide, letting the crystal settle on her tongue. She laughed excitedly as more began to fall, following each one in no particular pattern, dancing about and catching them on her fur.

As she followed them however, she was unwittingly getting further away from the others..

A familiar scent hit Elphaba's delicate senses. A sweet, milky smell that brought all at once a warm feeling of dusty memories kept long in storage as well as a touch of hesitation. Puppy. Elphie's lips twitched and her brow clouded slightly. She had never been especially good with the pups, and often found them exhausting and exasperating. However as the brown wolf turned her emerald gaze towards the scent and the sight she had to tilt her ears back and smile.

The little female was bounding after the flakes, her mind completely with the snow. Elphie knew that if she'd been a winter pup this is how she would have experienced her first snow, though by this time, vices of adulthood demanded Elphaba act more mature.

The adult padded towards the pup and announced herself with a soft whuff. "Having fun?" Her low voice was a bit gruff, and obviously not maternal, but there was genuine warmth in her tones.

The blue pup let out a small 'yip!' as she jumped into the air, snapping her jaws closed around another snowflake as it tumbled slowly down. Her black-and-blue paws weaved around each other as she danced around in circles, chasing down the tiny fragile flecks and trying to catch them before they disappeared on the cold dirt. The wolf pup engrossed herself completely in this little game, ignoring the small animals, and the trees..

..And that wolf over there..

Raine stumbled as she finally took notice, the brown female's words taking her by surprise. She yelped pitifully as her once graceful interweaving feet became tangled, and she clumsily flopped to the ground, her blue eyes staring up at the stranger.

Elphaba smirked slightly to herself, amused by the pup's actions. She paused in her tracks, her green eyes flicked back and fourth in a cursory glance to make sure no other adults were near. Then she trotted over to the little one with a bounce in her step, and craned her neck down, tilting her head slightly to the side so her eyes were on the pup's same level. She looked a bit comical in that position. "I'm not going to eat you, pup," Elphaba chuckled mischeiviously, pulling back in case her actions were to frighten the little wolf.

"I was just impressed by your preformance with the.." She barely paused. What was the word? "Snowflakes. What's your name, wolfess?"

"R-Raine.." the pup mumbled in response, nervously darting her eyes around herself in search of a trace of the others. Were was she? She'd lost herself in her game, and now she was alone again, only to face another adult wolf. However, she was slightly eased by this wolf's gentle tone. She backed away a little, lowering her tail between her legs as a show that she was no threat.