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Post by Zawki on Oct 3, 2023 13:39:48 GMT
~ Duchess ~
Ramir had finally caught Duchess's attention when he started describing the crystals. All the colours sounded amazing; her paws were itching to go, so she began to groom more swiftly. "They sound beautiful," she commented between licks, not bothering to look up from her fur. She tried to imagine herself with a den like that, and suddenly, living in a cave didn't sound too bad. If she could just add some waterfalls to drink from, and soft, lush moss... She could happily trade the scorching heat of the sun for a cosy lair like that. It could only get better having a whole pack of wolves at her command, too. For a moment, she got caught up in her fantasising that she barely noticed what Ramir said next. "Scary?" Duchess's response was a little late, but at least she could use cleaning her pelt as an excuse. In truth, it had taken her a moment to process what little of the conversation she had caught, but Ramir didn't need to know that part. She couldn't help finding the idea of her guide being scared of the leader amusing, but at the same time, something about it gave her an idea. "Is it just you who's scared?" Duchess paused to offer a slightly teasing smile, and yet she was eagerly awaiting the answer. 'If the pack doesn't even like the Queen...' Her tail swayed lightly at the thought. Rising to her paws, excluding the injured one, she carefully dropped into a stretch, satisfied with both her freshly-groomed pelt and her new ideas. There were so may details left to figure out, but oh, if she could convince them she would make a better ruler... "Shall we meet them now?" Ramir's words shook Duchess back to reality. Of course, she had to meet them and find out more first. "Yes, let's go!" She sprang into an uneven trot, then paused, taking a look at her injured pad. Maybe if she just used the toes... "So, are the King and Queen mates?" she asked, flexing her paw a little in mid-air to test how much it might hurt. Carefully lowering the toes to the floor of the cave, she took a step, only to wince and lift it back up. 'Okay, maybe not yet,' she thought, resuming a slower three-legged walk. She let Ramir lead the way as they talked, eager to see just how beautiful the crystals really were. Cheshire
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Post by Zawki on Oct 2, 2023 13:53:41 GMT
- Axel -
Axel padded along, pausing every few seconds to sniff at something new and interesting, or to watch as the occasional bird or insect flew by. A new day, a new adventure! Or so he told himself, yet, it just wasn't the same without Dante. Coa, too. At times like this, he really wished they could be in the same pack together so that they could hang out all the time, but he could also understand wanting the freedom to explore and discover things at their own pace. It had been something he wanted too, after all, and at least he had plans to meet with his friends again. His tail began to sway as he continued on, thinking about all he wanted to share next time they met.
Turning his head briefly to look up at the mountains, Axel couldn't help wondering how the pack was getting on. The thought only lasted a moment, however, as a new voice suddenly caught his attention. Startled, he ducked down, his hackles instinctively rising. Only then did he register what they had said. Looking up as the wolf approached, he slowly stood up again, trying not to let his legs tremble as he did so. The wolf appeared so much taller than him; even with his speed and agility, he wasn't confident he could outrun them if they chose to attack. They didn't sound mean, but they didn't sound shy, either. Axel gave a gentle wag of his tail in greeting, hoping they would decide he wasn't a threat.
"Mhm!" He nodded in response to their question, once they were close enough, still able to smile despite his legs itching to put more distance between them, just in case... "I haven't seen you around here before." That much seemed obvious, but he wanted to make conversation, to distract himself at the very least. He already knew from his other friends that sometimes, the larger wolves could be some of the gentlest, and most fun. His tail wagged a little more steadily as he imagined Coa's massive grin. There was nothing to fear! Right? For all he knew, this wolf could become a new friend of his, too.
Abyss
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Post by Zawki on Oct 1, 2023 13:07:33 GMT
- Axel -
The hollow was so cosy, Axel felt like he could fall asleep with ease. He smiled softly at the thought of learning more about what his friend knew. The concepts were all so new to him, but that only made them more exciting. A new friend, and new ways to have fun. What could be better? Axel's tail swayed lightly, although he had a feeling he would have to get used to being around fire if ever Dante showed him. 'What if it touches my fur?' Although he dreaded the thought, he had to admit to himself, it made for quite an amusing mental image. Still, he decided to save the questions for later.
He was relieved when Dante stayed, commenting that he didn't want to move. Axel's tail briefly began to wag faster. "Me neither." Not only was he cosier than he had been in a long time, he didn't feel like he had the energy to move. He could just stay, and sleep...
"Mhmm..." He barely processed what Dante said next, his head snuggled deep into his fur, and his eyes still closed. "I wonder what it would be like to be a tree..." Even his own words sounded distant, the line between reality and his wild ideas seeming to blur as he thought more about them. Before long, his breathing slowed into a gentle rhythm, but it was unlikely the day's excitement would be unable to reach his dreams.
Jay
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Post by Zawki on Sept 24, 2023 15:30:30 GMT
~ Duchess ~
Duchess observed the puzzlement on Ramir's face, and her own expression dropped to a frown. 'Seriously?' She couldn't help being surprised that he hadn't even considered time to clean up, although it should have been obvious from the state of his pelt. Thankfully, the pack wolf seemed to understand that not everyone was willing to stand before the leaders of a pack looking like that.She padded after him, being careful to keep her injured paw off the floor of the cave. Although she had no intention of limping around all the time, it at least shouldn't be far before she could relax a little at last. She weaved between the other pack wolves, eager to fix her embarrassing appearance. She was satisfied with the quiet part of the cave Ramir had chosen. Duchess wasted no time settling down before brushing the fur along one side of her body with swift strokes of her tongue. At the very least, she wanted to get the worst of the dust off before focusing on a deeper clean. Ramir was telling her something, but Duchess didn't bother pausing what she was doing. That is, until she heard the word 'pretty'. She hesitated mid-lick, listening closely to what he was saying about the pack leaders' chamber. It did sound pretty. "I cannot wait to see it," she decided out loud, returning to grooming her fur after sparing a quick glance. Her mind whirled with new thoughts; what did it take to become a pack leader? Was their part of the cave cosy? What colours were these mysterious glowing stones? She had never thought a cave could sound so appealing, and she was excited to learn more. With any luck, her fur would be clean within a few minutes, and she would get to learn more from the pack leaders themselves. Cheshire
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Post by Zawki on Sept 24, 2023 14:19:54 GMT
- Raven -
"His name is Wynd." Raven watched curiously as the stranger introduced the badger to her. She couldn't help but be impressed; she wouldn't dare get so close to the creature when it appeared to be just moments away from attacking. She took note of the affection the stranger seemed to show towards it, and the way the badger tolerated her company. They definitely seemed to be companions of sorts, and she guessed the badger - no, Wynd - simply had more bark than bite. Or in this case, more growl than bite. Already, Raven felt that she was piecing together a bit about the pack, and it only fuelled her curiosity further.
She was about to say something when the pack wolf continued, making an offer that caught her by surprise. Immediately, her instincts told her it was a bad idea; she had just met this wolf, and didn't want to intrude on the pack without good reason. Yet, when she looked into the stranger's eyes, she got the feeling she could trust her, and if she declined, she would just be on her own again. Who was she to turn down an opportunity to learn about a new pack and its seemingly unique culture?
"Only if that is alright," Raven said at last. Letting herself relax a little - physically, at least - she carefully padded a little closer to the wolf, taking care not to provoke Wynd too much. "My name is Cassidy," she explained, offering a small smile, "but most just call me Raven." She hoped getting the introductions out of the way would help them feel a little more comfortable around each other. Letting the stranger take the lead, she could only hope she wasn't being led into danger, and yet still, she couldn't help feeling excited. Perhaps this was the first step towards finding out whether she would feel at home in the valley.
Bri
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Post by Zawki on Sept 17, 2023 18:53:14 GMT
I might fancify this later, but for now, I should probably at least make something~ DuchessSpecs of Colour in a Sea of Grass - Duchess searches for food in the midst of the drought, and runs into someone who may be willing to help. A Midday Meeting Beneath the Morning Sun - In her desperate search for water, Duchess climbs the slopes of the Vertok mountains, where she learns a little about the pack, and slowly regains her strength. AxelA Realm of Adventure Beneath the Canopy - Having just arrived in the valley, Axel explores the Southern Forest, making a new friend after an unexpected meeting. Know You're Not Alone - Finally feeling the effects of the drought, Axel seeks out water, but it doesn't exactly go to plan... They Will Run You Down - His curiosity getting the better of him, Axel ventures into Vertok territory and meets a pup who seems to need his help. RavenMoonlit Mysteries - New to the valley, Raven finds herself lonelier than ever, when a feathered friend leads her towards a new world of possibilities and knowledge.
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Post by Zawki on Sept 17, 2023 18:09:34 GMT
~ Duchess ~
Duchess gave a small, smug smile when Soralai admitted she had a point. "There's no need to worry about me," she assured. "I can handle myself just fine, especially now that I know not to underestimate this heat." She padded along with new confidence in her step, satisfied that Soralai had been mostly convinced. Hopefully she would stop questioning her capability now. When her companion asked what role she would take in a pack, Duchess sped up until she was padding alongside Soralai. She couldn't help but smile at her comment. Although she hadn't thought so far ahead, the answer came easily to her. "Those are definitely out of the question! But, I think I would make a decent pack leader." Duchess looked Soralai's way, her eyes expectant yet vaguely excited, as if she expected her to agree. "I am good at managing things, after all." Bounding ahead a little, she turned and added, "I could tell everyone what role fits them best, and what to do. In return for my guidance, they can bring me food, and defend the borders of our territory." She allowed herself to fall back into step beside the autumnal wolf before continuing. "I would choose a beautiful territory, and allow visitors, should they be willing to share their resources. I could even offer advice for all their problems, at the cost of a simple favour."She hadn't intended for her idea to go so far, but she was really starting to like it. What better way to forge a reputation? Yet running a pack sounded like hard work. Duchess thought for a moment. Maybe she wouldn't even need a pack for such benefits, if she did everything right. Still, she decided to push the thought away for later; first, she wanted to hear Soralai's opinion. Razza
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Post by Zawki on Sept 17, 2023 13:39:03 GMT
- Axel -
Axel listened curiously as Dante elaborated about fire. A small smile appeared on his face when his friend mentioned food. "You have got to show me sometime!" He already knew he wanted to see how Dante could use fire, but the idea of a delicious reward made it all the better. The thought of it only got him more excited to try the mushrooms they had found, so that maybe he could try them both before and after, if his friend could find the materials to start a fire.
Axel couldn't help laughing; he had never argued about yawns before. "Well, do you at least like the gift?" he asked.
When Dante offered to move after having joined him, Axel wasted no time to respond with a quick, "No, it's alright! It's cosy." The feeling of being so close to his friend gave him a sense of warmth and comfort he hadn't felt in so long. If his friend didn't mind, he was in no hurry to give that up, and thankfully, it seemed he wouldn't have to just yet.
Despite his tiredness, he still felt so excited; the mushroom hunt they had been planning was just one of the many adventures he and his new friend could share. There was so much to learn, and he wanted to see every one of the natural wonders Dante had mentioned. Just... maybe not the singing stars. He smiled at the thought, but his attention was quickly drawn back to his friend's response to his recent comment. Axel didn't bother opening his eyes or lifting his head this time. "We could pretend to be the squirrels. And climb our cousins, the trees," he suggested. The thought of wolves in trees made him smile, but he was too tired to laugh at the concept. That didn't matter, though, as he was already considering conversation topics for their mushroom-hunting adventure.
Jay
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Post by Zawki on Sept 15, 2023 15:23:58 GMT
- Axel -
Axel's cheeks were beginning to hurt from all the smiling. He couldn't even deny it when Dante mentioned having enough muscle for the both of them. He had always been one of the smaller members of his pack, and although it used to make him feel somewhat out of place, it was just amusing having it acknowledged by his friend. Unless of course, Dante was just pretending to be stronger than he actually was. Axel couldn't quite tell, but that made it even better. He smiled even more when Dante agreed with his point.
The topic of fire had him tilting his head to one side. "But isn't fire dangerous?" He couldn't help asking the question, considering all he had heard about forest fires. He shook his head a moment later as if to dismiss the question, telling himself Dante would know what he's doing. His friend seemed very passionate about the topic, and it only made him more curious. "I would love to see it sometime! But mushroom hunting sounds fun, too," he added, unable to stop himself from chuckling slightly as Dante yawned as well. "Maybe you stole my yawn!"
Dante started talking about fire again, and for a moment, Axel wasn't sure whether or not his friend would catch on, but it wasn't long before he did. Axel's only response was a sheepish grin; he hadn't thought about what he would do if it actually worked. He wasn't used to huddling, except into his own fur, but he liked the idea of being so close.
His tail began wagging quickly as his friend joined him. He dared put his head on Dante's back once he had settled, letting it sink into the soft fur. "Better," he responded softly, his eyes already closed as he felt the weariness returning. Yet, he couldn't help but laugh a little, lifting his head again to look at his friend. "This is so awkward," he commented, assuming his friend felt the same, but his smile and the laughter in his voice gave away that he liked it nonetheless. "We could be the 'angry squirrel pack'," he decided, nestling his cheek back into Dante's fur. He was soon cosy enough that he felt like he could stay there all day.
Jay
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Post by Zawki on Sept 15, 2023 14:05:23 GMT
- Axel -
Axel closed his eyes, focusing on the scents and sounds around him. Everything was so unfamiliar to him, and he longed to explore it all, but he knew he had to focus on the task at paw. He looked back when the pup spoke, offering the younger wolf a small, hopeful smile, but it only lasted a moment. Apparently, he hadn't seen his brothers all morning; they were without a lead. Axel's tail drooped a little. He wanted desperately to help, but it seemed the task would be harder than he had first thought.
"Hmm." He turned and observed the area once more, before pausing to think. "You know," he began, "I have a couple of brothers, too." Axel could feel a little spark of optimism as an idea began to fall into place, and he let it show in his demeanour. He didn't want the pup worrying too much, when there was still plenty they could try. "My younger brother likes plants," he explained, "so if I wanted to find him, I would start by looking somewhere with lots of plants." His tail began to sway as he looked at the reddish-brown wolf. "What kinds of things do your brothers enjoy? Maybe it could give us an idea of where to look!"
'You, my friend, are a genius.' His friend's words played in his head, and he couldn't help but smile. Whilst he waited for the pup's response, he found himself wondering if he should invite his friends to join the search, but quickly decided against it. He had no idea where they were, and at least for now, he wanted a chance to prove himself. Still, he decided to make a mental note that he could always howl to them should they need the help.
Abyss | Burn
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Post by Zawki on Sept 12, 2023 13:57:38 GMT
- Axel -
Axel made a mental note to ask Coa about her brother later. It sounded like all of his new friends had at least one sibling, and he was excited to learn more. For now though, he just wanted to get out of the pit. They could make conversation on their way to find some mud and water, and the thought of it caused his tail to wag once more. With two ideas to work with, they would be out and having fun again in no time. Maybe they could even turn the process of getting out into an adventure itself.
He laughed softly as Coa attached a piece of fur to the brambles hanging off his side. "That tickles!" He had no idea if it was a piece he had dropped or accidentally left behind, but his attention was quickly drawn back to the plan as Coa approved of his idea. Axel grinned, and took a step back, as he looked up at his friend's massive - albeit kind of scary - bear-like paws. They really would be out in no time!
Practically spinning on the spot, he turned and bounded the rest of the way to the foot of the ledge, before looking back at Coa and giving her an encouraging grin. "Let's get out of here!" Knowing she couldn't be far behind him, he began clawing at the loose material of the ledge. The stones caught on his claws harder than he was expecting, and he paused, coughing a little as dust kicked into the air. "Okay, this will be harder than I thought," he admitted, blinking the dust out of his eyes. For a moment he wondered if Coa could lift him high enough to escape, but he quickly shook away the thought when he tried to imagine lifting her out afterwards. "I might have another idea!" Closing his eyes, Axel clawed hard at the foot of the ledge again, then turned and darted away. Catching his breath in the clearer air, he watched and waited for the dust to settle before running back again. "We just have to avoid the dust." He looked up at Coa and smiled, his tail wagging softly. The dry, rough, rocky material would still hurt, but it was a small price to pay for the freedom that would follow.
Burn
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Post by Zawki on Sept 12, 2023 13:09:49 GMT
~ Duchess ~
For a moment, Duchess was beginning to regret her acting; the hunger may have ended, but now it just felt uncomfortable to move too much. Like her food may very well see the light of day again, if she kept it up. Duchess frowned. She should be relaxing in the shade, taking it easy, not standing around chatting. Still, she listened to what Soralai had to say. She was relieved when the other wolf decided to continue the conversation on the go. 'At last,' she thought. Now they would quit wasting time. Duchess thought about what Soralai said, about hunting and fighting. She didn't like what she was saying, but perhaps there was a way to twist it in her favour. "If you had tried to attack me, I could have escaped to safety," she insisted. Unsure how to convince Soralai, her gaze drifted over the wolf until she added, "My legs are longer than yours. I could easily outrun you." She knew she hadn't been in the best state, but that wasn't her point. It was just a small slip up of circumstances, and she was confident it wouldn't happen again. It was just the stupid drought catching her off guard, or so she told herself. "You say things like that are the foundation of our species. Isn't that why packs exist? So that each wolf can focus on what they do best, instead of trying to be good at everything?" Duchess thought for a moment. "Maybe I should join a pack." She didn't intend to, but at least it was something to consider, and more importantly, maybe the idea would get Soralai off her back. She sure hoped it would; she was tired of talking about what she couldn't do, when they could be focusing on her qualities instead. Razza
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Post by Zawki on Sept 11, 2023 14:45:23 GMT
~ Duchess ~
Padding along after Soralai, Duchess could feel a little more spring in her step. The promise of shade after the much-needed meal had her feeling more energised than she had in days, if not physically, then mentally. She watched as Soralai led the way; her temporary companion was easy to get along with, too. If she could find enough wolves like her in this new land, and the drought eventually ceased its onslaught of heat, she could see herself liking it here. She was lost in thought when Soralai spoke, suddenly drawing her attention. The autumnal wolf was asking about her homeland. Duchess froze for a moment, an uncertain smile on her face. She hadn't thought she would have to elaborate on her carefully-selected story. Shifting the weight between her forepaws, she tried to think up something to say whilst trying to make her awkward behaviour appear as impatience. She padded in a quick circle, then dropped into a stretch. "Oh, you know, there was just nothing to do." Standing up straight again after a moment, she added, "It was beautiful, sure, but even that gets boring. Everyone was always fighting or hunting, and neither really appeal to me." Lying about the real reason for leaving was easier now that there was some truth to back up her story. "I guess I just needed a change of pace," she concluded. She tried to look Soralai right in the eyes, guessing she would be the type to understand wanting adventure. If so, then with any luck, she would believe the story just the way it had been told. Razza
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Post by Zawki on Sept 11, 2023 13:42:49 GMT
- Raven -
"If you don't mean to intrude then why are you here?" The stranger's words caught Raven off guard. She hasn't had time to think of a convincing way to explain. She shuffled a paw slightly, somewhat embarrassed by the truth.
"I was following a bird," she admitted, lifting her gaze to meet the other wolf's once more. Within moments however, she was looking back at the badger, who didn't seem to be nearly as calm as its companion. Raven let her muscles tense, so that she could easily spring out of its reach if the creature did decide to attack. As fearsome as it looked, it was still just a badger; a stocky creature that would have trouble landing a hit on an agile wolf, so long as they were prepared.
The wolf warned her about danger, and for a moment, Raven wanted to comment about the badger's hostility, but thought better of it. If the two really were allies, saying anything against the other might not work in her favour. Instead, she just sighed. "I have not yet crossed the border," she pointed out. She knew she was very close, and she had no idea how pack border markers worked in this land, but she hoped that fact would be worth something. "I can turn back if you would prefer," she added, unable to stop her gaze from drifting to the badger again. "But..." Raven hesitated, unsure if she should continue, yet the curiosity was overwhelming. "May I ask about this badger?" The question came more suddenly than she had intended, and for a moment she was worried she sounded like an excitable pup, but she shook the thought away with a soft smile. "This is all very new to me, that's all. I can leave if I must."
Bri
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Post by Zawki on Sept 10, 2023 22:57:02 GMT
~ Duchess ~
Duchess winced as the healer treated her injured paw; it stung - that much she had been anticipating - but she hadn't expected it to sting that much. "It's not often I get injuries like this," she spoke to Ramir in her defence, as if he might suddenly think she's weak for reacting. In truth, she practically never got injured before setting out on her own. She could only imagine what getting a more serious injury treated would be like. The healer gave her some instructions, causing her to pause with her tongue hovering above her injured pad. Duchess frowned. Oh, how she hated being told what to do. Reluctantly, she got up, keeping her injured paw off the ground. She would decide when it was ready to be walked on again herself, but for now, she might as well listen so as not to cause a fuss. Without a word to the healer, she turned to Ramir. "Would you like to meet King Conri and Queen Rieka now?" he was asking. The question piqued her interest in an instant. She was still very curious about the pack leaders. "Yes, let's go." She gave a slight smile, inviting him to lead the way. Then she hesitated. "I will get time to clean my fur first, won't I?" She had wanted to deal with that from the moment it got dirty. She couldn't imagine the pack leaders seeing her like this. On the way back to the main cave, Ramir offered to let her lean on him. Duchess studied his pelt once more, her expression likely giving away the answer before she even spoke. "I think I can manage," she said as she padded past. It was strange walking on just three legs, but not impossible. Regardless, she could feel the weariness from the heat catching up with her quickly. She hoped she would get time to relax for a while before they did anything else. Cheshire
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