Anyone home?

[skye]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,420,true][bg=f3e795] Slender birch trees with their spotted gnarls and splices grew fatter and fatter until they were not birch trees at all, but rather ominous looking monsters. Branches seemed to protrude from the trees here in every place that one would think they shouldn't, and where one would think a branch should be, there was either a nasty ripped gash, or a gigantic arm with thousands of claw-like fingers, aching to rip the eye out of any unwary and unlucky passerby from overhead. Ducking to avoid a blow from a low-hanging branch, she warily wove slowly through the land of giants. She had never considered any place haunted before, but feeling frightened from both the size and age of these behemoth trees, her imagination was run away with fear. Of course, it didn't help not knowing where she was. Weaving through the obstacle course and stepping over fallen logs and precarious protruding rootmasses had quickly disembowled her sense of direction. Overwhelmed, she had also forgotten to pay careful attention to large, prominent objects that others might use as marking posts, and unknowingly wandered into a claimed territory. She hoped her unsure steps would guide her home while the sun still shone overhead. She wasn't thrilled about being able to see these horrific, gnarled trees, but she was less excited about not being able to see them, and running into one, face-first. Battle-scars were something to be proud of and shown off to others, but stupid-scars only demonstrated their wearer's lack of common sense. Hopefully, she would be able to find her way back to the neutral lands she called home without one.

[Roslyn]

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[atrb=background,http://i711.photobucket.com/albums/ww112/HarlequinAvery/roslyn2.png] An ebony shadow moved across the snowy expanse with an ease that spoke volumes; it was obvious the female had lived among the massive trees for years, memorizing every dip or rise in the earth. Not once did she stumble or trip, grace in every fluid movement; like a phantom hovering through the home of the massive trees. She made it a point to rub herself against objects that stood out or place the occasional scent mark. Though she wasn’t exactly strolling the borders, she found no harm in making it clear that this land was claimed. Although she was tolerant of wolves who ventured into the lands in hopes of joining Zenica, she had a pack to protect now, a family, and she had to put their safety above all else. Pausing in her journey, the female lowered her snout toward the snow, eager to pick up the scent of something she could eat. Instead, it was the faint scent of another wolf- a female – that caught her attention and all thoughts of food quickly left her mind; she had something more important to focus on now. She’d nearly tossed back her head to greet the other when she thought better of it, Caution winning out over kindness. As of this moment, she had no idea why this wolf was here but she planned too. Lowering her muzzle to the snow once more, she trudged foreword moving slowly so she wouldn’t lose track of the intruders scent. It was only when she could track the other my air that she lifted her muzzle from the earth and increased her pace, easily loping over the uneven terrain. It seemed to take only moments for the stranger to appear, and even less for Roslyn’s pace to slow. It was obvious, by a simple glance, that this female’s life hadn’t been the easiest; one major clue being the stub left in place of her tail. Giving herself a shake, she lowered her skull and slunk forward, eyes glued to the older canine. Somewhat wary of the stranger she lifted herself to her full height and trotted forward. Though she wasn’t the tallest wolf around, her presence somewhat made up for it; there was usually no doubt when one laid their eyes on her that she was one of the Alpha’s of this land. “It seems I’ve found myself a trespasser.” She stated calmly. No hostility carried in her voice, only a slight wariness and curiosity came through. If this female showed herself as a threat, Roslyn would remove her from her land without a second thought, and if she couldn’t do it herself, she could always call for back-up. Though that would be her last resort. For now, though, she was just curious as to why the wolf was here in the first place. “What is it that you seek?” With the question now hanging between the two, Roslyn lowered her rump to the earth, tail curling securely around her paws, icy orbs locked on this stranger.

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[skye]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,420,true][bg=f3e795] Shaky paws dodged a few near-scratches from very low-hanging branches. As she breathed a sigh of relief, she was forced to suck it all back in as her skin jumped with the sound of a sudden voice. She stood still for a moment, as if a statue, and then quizzically looked behind her at the branches that ached to scrape at her. Finding nothing of interest, she replayed the sound in her mind, and slowly turned her eyes and ears towards the source. Staring in disbelief, the words replayed once more, this time, sinking in to their fullest extent. Her mouth opened and breathed a silent "Oh...", realizing the connotations of the sentence, and then spat out a silent curse. Lowering her head and eyes, she backed up a step submissively. However, it seemed that the bloodthirsty branch got it's desires after all, as Anput had forgotten about it, and then backed into it, it easily scraped into her hindquarters, taking away it's prize of a few drops of blood, some skin, and ample strands of fur. Again surprised, she looked backwards quickly, and then stepped away to the side. "I...I...I'm sorry, I didn't know. I'm lost." , she stuttered, not fully recovered yet from all of the surprises of this encounter. Forcing herself to breathe slowly, she looked up at the other, noting it's tail position. "I'm a little lost. Perhaps you might be so kind to point the direction to the Forest?"

[/color], she inquired, referring to Magnolska Forest. She tried her best to tuck her stub of a tail between her legs submissively.

Beneath her display of submission, the gears of her mind worked quickly, setting into memory the sight and sound of this leader wolf, and it's pack location. If she was to survive alone in this world, she would need as many friends - and as few enemies- as possible. Remembering her recent encounter with Iridiel, she wondered if perhaps she might make more out of this encounter. For now, she decided that the best way to strike any bargains or friendships would be to not be dubbed a trespasser.

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[Roslyn]

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[atrb=background,http://i711.photobucket.com/albums/ww112/HarlequinAvery/roslyn2.png] It amused her sometimes; the almost automatic fear that seemed to sweep through almost every stray she came across on her territory. Like she was some horrific monster that would tear them limb from limb if they didn’t start groveling or apologizing for trespassing as soon as they laid eyes on her. Better they fear you than they blatantly disrespect your rank. The thought swept through her mind as she watched the female take a step back-only to side step a moment later after a quick glance toward her rear. A quizzical expression made its way to the alpha females face as she tilted her head in curiosity, not quite sure what the backward glance had been about. It was only a moment later that her answer came to her; one of the low hanging branches had snagged the female’s skin, allowing the scent of blood to waft into the winter air. Had she had time, she may have apologized for causing the wolf to back herself into a sharp branch, but it was but seconds later that this stranger spoke, stuttering as she spoke her own apology. "I...I...I'm sorry, I didn't know. I'm lost." A half smile easily made its way to the females muzzle, her head nodding in response to the strays rushed apology. “No need to apologize, we’re pretty tolerant of loners here, as long as they are no threat to us.” She stated, pale eyes sharp as she studied said loner. "I'm a little lost. Perhaps you might be so kind to point the direction to the Forest?" Roslyn tilted her head, pursing her lips as she tried to remember exactly how to get to the forest. She assumed the other meant Magnolska forest. The only other forest was still rather young, and she knew it wasn’t a very popular place for wolves. But neither was Magnolska forest, as far as she knew. She almost questioned the female, her curiosity nearly getting the best of her. Instead, she shooed her questions away and tried to remember exactly how to get to the forest from her packs home. “Magnolska forest?,” She questioned, pausing only for a moment. “From here, you should probably head north-east. If you head in that direction, you should make it to the forest pretty easily.” She answered, cool gaze flicking in the direction she assumed the forest lay. She’d been there once, but only briefly, before she’d found the Zenica pack. The place was almost uninhabitable, and she silently wondered what this lone female would want with a land like that. It wasn’t any of her business, however, so she kept her mouth shut and simply waited to see if the loner would linger longer or leave after she’d told the wolf the direction she should head. -------------------------------------------------------- Muse: Ehh; Okay. Words: 464. Tagged: Anput! :] Notes: Weee. New table...yet again. XD I have too much fun making these things.

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[skye]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,420,true][bg=f3e795] OOC: Sorry for the wait! Third time typing up a reply is a charm : ) Her ears had flattened while waiting anxiously for what kind of response she might receive from the wolf, leader by tail position. At the first hint of any response besides a blood-curdling snarl, her ears had risen just a little, as if hopeful. As the leader, probably female by tone of voice, spoke eloquently, Anput's ears rose to full height, snapping to attention. However, the favorable response was moot compared to the hurt in her ego as she realized that she did not actually know which way that was. Trying her best anyways, she gave the surroundings a steady observation from left to right. Disorientation still seemed to be the victor. "Erm, which way is north?"

[/color], she asked quietly, unhappy to have to ask such silly childish questions. She felt belittled and the gears of her mind wheeled and churned, trying to find some way to make up for it, as one did not become grizzly old and grey without knowing which way home was at all times. Yet all she could think of was a change in subject. It seemed that taking risks was one of her specialties, so deciding to explore that option, she opened her mouth once more after a long pause.

"One does not become old without making friends and acquaintances. Might I inquire as to the name of your group of wolves? And your name, perhaps? "[/color], she nodded a polite greeting. "I'm Anput. I make a living by trading goods like herbs, spices, food, pets, and services like mercenaries, messengering, information, and expansion. I hope if there is anything your family might like or require that I would be able to help. I apologize for intruding, ma'am, and I will be on my way."[/color], she added the last sentence quickly, though lingering, hoping for a reply.

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[Roslyn]

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[atrb=background,http://i711.photobucket.com/albums/ww112/HarlequinAvery/roslyn2.png] “Erm, which way is north?” Roslyn couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for the female, disorientated as she was. Maybe she was older than Roslyn first thought, and her memory was failing her with age. She wasn’t sure, and she surely wasn’t going to ask this stranger such a question. Instead, she focused on helping the female find her way. “Just head that way,” She nodded to her left before continuing. “I’d take you myself, but I fear I must stay here. You understand.” An apologetic smile made its way onto the alphess’ muzzle. She would have escorted her herself, had she not had duties here. The trip wasn’t a long one, and had she decided to leave, Roslyn knew her alpha male could handle the small group they called their pack and anything else that may have come up. "One does not become old without making friends and acquaintances. Might I inquire as to the name of your group of wolves? And your name, perhaps?" Roslyn prepared to answer her question, but a moment later, the female continued, so Roslyn sat patiently and waited until she was finished. “I'm Anput. I make a living by trading goods like herbs, spices, food, pets, and services like mercenaries, messengering, information, and expansion. I hope if there is anything your family might like or require that I would be able to help. I apologize for intruding, ma'am, and I will be on my way." So this female was a merchant of sorts. Well, that was an interesting occupation for a wolf, but hey, one had to survive, didn’t they? This wolf, Anput she’d said, was definitely the first the alphess had met, and setting up connections with this female would undoubtedly be beneficial to her pack. The word “pets” threw Roslyn off, puzzling her. She wasn’t quite sure what the female meant by that, and she wasn’t quite sure she wanted to know. Well, she didn’t have to use everything the female offered, now did she? Nodding to herself, she offered a small smile to the female. “We are the Zenica, and I am their Alphess, Roslyn.” She paused, but only long enough to stand, “I will be sure to keep you in mind if Zenica ever needs anything that you offer. I’m sure you travel a lot, so I will see you again in the future, correct?” Roslyn assumed that was the case, otherwise this females “job” would be a pointless one; trying to set up business with a pack and then not returning. She wouldn’t make any promises to this female today but she was interested. She figured she ought to speak to Wyren and get his opinion before setting up something that involved a stray. No reason to create any tension between the two Alphas, after all. Roslyn's eyes scanned the trees in one quick movement before they rested once again on the female. She was somewhat anxious to be on her way now, but she tried to stand still and wait for either an answer from the female or for her to walk off, most likely, in the direction of the forest she'd asked directions for. ________________________ Muse: Okay..ish. Words: Five-Twenty-Nine. Tagged: Anput. :] Notes: I guess we can close this pretty soon? Don't really know where it could go from here. Unless you have any ideas.

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[skye]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,420,true][bg=f3e795] OOC: Sorry for the long wait again, I antsy on replying, I wasn't sure what would become of Orbiting. Sucky post too : / Finally, for once, the first time, a truly favorable response to both her and her offers. The air gushed out of her mouth as she breathed a long sigh of relief from all the tension and turmoil in her mind, the 'what-if' this and thats all laid to a much needed rest. "Thank you Roslyn. Indeed, we will meet again - though next time at the borders instead of in the middle of your territory unannounced. "

[/color], she tried to offer a humble smile and a weak chuckle.

Turning towards the direction the female had indicated, she started a steady trot home, anxiously awaiting a call from the female sometime in the future asking for goods. Getting out of tight and sticky situations seemed to be a strong point. Redescovering who she was without the use of her memories which always brought her excruciating migraines felt as painful as re-undergoing puberty. An old wolf should not have to redo their juvenile stages, yet here she was... Her mind continued to work out the thoughts as her steps brought her closer and closer to the neutral land she called home.

--exit Anput--

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[Roslyn]

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[atrb=background,http://i711.photobucket.com/albums/ww112/HarlequinAvery/roslyn2.png] "Thank you Roslyn. Indeed, we will meet again - though next time at the borders instead of in the middle of your territory unannounced." The alphess nodded her head, offering a timid smile as Anput spoke, confirming that the female would undoubtedly be around in the near future. She almost opened her mouth to protest against the females words, Almost. At the last second she changed her mind, deciding meeting at the borders would be best. As far as she knew, the rest of her pack knew this wolf as only a stranger, and she knew not how they would react to strangers trespassing. So instead "I'll be looking forward to it," escaped her instead of what she'd planned to say. Though antsy to be on her way, Roslyn would not move from her spot until the wolf was well out of sight. Only then did she turn and lope of into the trees, heading for her favorite place in the entire Zenica lands. A sense of accomplishment washed over the female, as if she'd conquered some great task, when in reality all she'd really done was set up a future meeting with a merchant. Now all she had to do was get in contact with her Alpha male and get his opinion on this wolf and her strange occupation. And figure out if they should use what services the female offered. Roslyn was all for it, so she could only hope Wyren would agree with it. Muse: Meh. Words: 247 Tagged: Anput. Notes: Eeep. END OF THREAD

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