Snow Castles

[Moon_Song]

Ea's smile widened. "It is nice to meet you, Ula." She still only let a little bit of the voice into her speach. It seem to be working, and for that she was glad. "Darklight, could you get her some of the cache?"

Darklight nodded and stood. She walked to the back of the cave.
A moment later, she returned with some dried meat. She placed it in front of the female, Ula. "It's not much, but it will help."
She went back to her spot by the fire and lay down. Even though she separated herself, she continued to watch. She knew Ea must be getting close to her limit...maybe not, but she would keep an eye on her regardless.

"Thank you." She said to her sister as she went back to her spot near the fire. Darklight was not to trusting of any stranger, so it was understandable.
"Here, Ula, eat. It will help you to regain your strength." Ea looked to Glann. "I am sorry we don't have enough to offer foryou as well. When the storm passes, if you are up to it we can go hunting."

[ulrica]

The white she-wolf's smile warmed Ula as if she herself were the fire. She didn't know why, but Ea's smile calmed her almost as much as her soft and gentle voice. And when she had said that it was nice to meet her, Ula couldn't help but be happy. No one had ever said it was nice to meet her, but then again, she usually didn't stick around long enough to really meet anyone. The white wolfess mentioned someone bringing Ula food, a third wolf. Wow, am I really that weak that I couldn't even sense that there was a third wolf? The realization put a new edge to her situation, that edge intensified by her stomach growling loudly as Darklight set the meat in front of her. Nothing much, just a couple pieces, but to Ula it was like a feast at that moment. The first piece disappeared into her jaws as Ea told her to eat. And the gray thought this wasn't a lot? This was more than enough with the mention of later hunting, Ula was sure there she would be able to get plenty more food. A weak thumping of her tail on the ground was Ula's way of expressing her gratitude to the sisters, she would have spoken but her mouth was filled with half of the second piece.

Gann watched the black wolfess eat with some amusement, her hunger competing with her lack of strength and energy. He also saw the way her eyes lit up and the way her ears pricked forward slightly at the mention of a hunt. He was a little sad that she wouldn't be allowed to go in her weak state, a little disappointed too. Something told him this young she-wolf would have been quite fun to hunt with. But, it's better for her to rest now than for her to try and go out hunting. I'll bring her back something if we bring down big enough game...

And there he went again, lost in his own thoughts and completely losing focus on the happenings around him, Ea had spoken to him and he needed to answer. "Please, don't apologize for not feeding me. I'm healthy and strong, and I would feel bad eating when there are still two more females to go first." He was a strong believer that a she-wolf's needs should always be placed before that of a male. "And as for a hunt," he chuckled, a wry smile playing on his maw, "I'm aways up for a hunt."

[Moon_Song]

Ea's warm smile never dimmed as Ula ate. She looked to Gann. "She'll recover just fine." She heard him speak. "You are very kind to the of the females first. A very admirable trait."

As her sister talked with the other, Darklight picked up on a key word. Hunt. She smiled to herself, but didn't do much else.

"Then a hunt shall be initiated as soon as the storm passes." Ea returned her gaze to the female. "There now, how do you feel?"

[ulrica]

Ula was happy to hear that she would recover, but it made her even happier to hear the warmth and kindness in her voice. And, even though she hardly knew these three wolves, she knew she would be safe with them. It was a strange new thought to her, safety, but a good one. Even the feeling of the male's body, the warmth from his coat and solidity of his muscles, and she had just heard how kind and generous he was, yes, even he was safety to her.

Eating the meat had brought a new strength to her, and she was determined to show it. She didn't want to be a burden, she wanted to prove her worth. So, gathering all her strength she slowly but surely pushed herself up in a sitting position. Sure her legs trembled slightly, but still she was sitting up and a wry smile curled her lips.

"I feel great." She replied to Ea, the grin still on her maw. "Thanks."


Joy rose up in Gann like a flame when he saw Ula sit up. His tail wagged and he gave a short yip of excitement, acting completely like a puppy as was his nature. He touched his nose to her shoulder briefly and then spun away, a whirlwind of joy. Yes, he was completely like a puppy when overjoyed.

[Moon_Song]

Ea laughed as she saw the whelp-like display. Yes, there was certainly a connection between the two. They were drawn together by something, but even she wasn't sure what, she just knew it was there. She could see the courage in Ula's eyes. She was a strong one. "It is a wonderful thing that you feel you must be strong, but please, rest." Ea turned to looked out of the cave entrench. "We should all get some rest. It's been a long day...well, night really." Ea looked to where her sister lay by the fire. She was already asleep. She chuckled. "She has the right idea." She nodded toward her sleeping sister.

[ulrica]

Ea's laugh was like music to Gann's ears, even though he knew she must be tired she still laughed and smiled. What a wolf. Gann admired Ea, her strength, her kindness. She truly was like an angel.

He watched as the white she-wolf requested Ula to rest and as the midnight furred wolfess complied without hesitation. She layed down and closed her eyes, well on her way to silent slumber. He listened with a kind smile as Ea proposed that they all get some rest, yes, Gann knew she must be very tired by now. "You're right, it has been a long night." He replied while nuzzling Ula's cheek softly and then gently licking the top of her muzzle. Looking back up at Ea with a kind smile, he briefly touched noses with her before walking to the mouth of the make-shift den. He layed down with his head on his paws, his hips twisted so that both of his legs stuck out from under his belly. He lifted his head to look back at Ea, the warm and kind smile still on his maw. "You go ahead and sleep, I'll watch outside and make sure no one sneaks up while you three are asleep." He then returned his head to his paws and stared out into the windy night.


Gann had seemed so happy when she had sat up, and Ea had laughed. Such a musical laugh, it was like an angel's laugh. Ula layed down as the white wolfess had requested and her exhaustion quickly set in. Soon, a deep slumber settled over her and she fell into a dreamless sleep.

The last thing she heard was Gann's promise to watch over them as they slept. Such a safety she'd never felt.

[Moon_Song]

Ea noticed the seeming admiration in Glann's eyes. Was it the voices effect of did he feel truely so grateful? He walked up to her and touched his node to hers. She blushed a little, but quickly calmed her expression.
Ea nodded at Glann's words. Before she spoke she withdrew the voice It didn't change the way her voice sounded though. "If you like you may do so, but do not worry too much about that. This is not a night for wanderers." She giggled to herself. "With the exception of you two anyway." She sat near the entrance, preferring the cold to the heat of the fire. It was not so far that shouldn't feel it all, the snows cold was simply closer. She looked out through the driving snow, the visibility no more than a few yards. She could hear nothing but the howling wind, a crackling fire, and the deep breathing of sleeping wolves. She smelled nothing out of the ordinary.
Satisfied, she lay down, resting her head on her paws. She gazed out over the snowy clearing as her eyes grew heavy. It didn't take long for her lids to close over her oddly colored eyes, her breath to slow and deepen.

[ulrica]

Of course she was right, there wouldn't be anyone else out that night, but still Gann couldn't shake the anxiety that comes with his character. He smiled and gave a small thump of his tail when Ea layed down somewhat close to him, her eyes watching the weather outside. She was close to the cold and he worried for her, so not wanting her to get sick, when he heard her breathing slow he silently scooted closer to lay by her side and offer his own warmth through the night. Finally he too fell asleep.

The sun shining in his eyes is what woke Gann early the next morning. He rose, hoping he didn't wake Ea with his movement. He looked back and seeing that Ula and Darklight still appeared to be sleeping, the young male stepped out into the bright day. The snow sparkled like scattered diamonds under the light of the sun, he had to fight the urge to give a howl. He sat down, tilting his head up to the sky and closed his eyes, letting the remaining breeze from the winds the night before blow through his fur. He sighed, content just sit in the sun.

[Moon_Song]

Ea's side was warmth when she awoke to the sound of movement. She opened one eye, watching Gann walk outside. Is he leaving? No, just enjoying the momentary good weather. She took a quick look around. Ula and Darklight were still asleep. She allowed him a moment to himself, then as softly as possibly, she stood and walked outside, sitting next to him.
"Nice morning, isn't it?" She closed her eyes and inhaled the crisp morning air. The air was not calm, though. A wind still blew. The storm was not over. She looked over to Gann. I wouldn't stay out long. It will begin again around midday.

Darklight kept her eyes closed. She didn't want to get up just yet. She heard her sisters words. Oh joy, more storm. She sat and listened to their conversation

[ulrica]

Ea's paws crunched quietly in the snow, and Gann turned, giving her a brilliant smile as she sat next to him. The light falling on her snowy fur made her look even more like an angel. He turned to look at the landscape as she breathed in the morning air. He listened as she cautioned about staying out too long, and he nodded in agreement. However, he knew the urgency of their hunt. Ula wouldn't be able to go much longer without the nourishment of fresh meat.

"If you like, I'll go see if I can run down a few rabbits. It shouldn't take but a few minutes. That would at least get us through the day. Maybe longer." He said, glancing up at the sky. Looking to her for her reply, he smiled again, almost saddly. In his past, the good things had never lasted for long, and this was something he would miss terribly when it was gone.

What are you doing Gann? Why are you sending yourself toward a bad ending?" The sad smile left his face and he starred out with a wisdome, and worn look in his eyes that didn't match his age. Acceptance is not an option for you, so pull yourself together and stop acting like it is.

He turned back to Ea and touched his nose to her cheek, knowing he probably shouldn't but unable to stop himself. "Will you join me or shall I hunt on my own?" He asked her softly, the smile returning to his maw.

[Moon_Song]

Ea shook her head. "No, I will help you hunt. I'd say Darklight would come, she loves to hunt," Ea looks back into the where her sister lay, no longer breathing deeply. Shes awake. Such a lazy wolf. Ea smiled and chuckled, "but I think she values rest right now more than anything."

Darklight smirked. So she noticed. She simply flipped her tail in response and flicked en ear. Ea knew her too well. After such a night, she didn't care much for anything but sleep. Ea didn't seem at risk with this male, and she could easily handle a hunt. Darklight simply kept an ear out for anything suspicious.

Ea giggled softly at her sister. When she looked back to Gann, there was a play of emotion on his face, an internal conflict. She eyed his faced, wondering what was going on. He suddenly looked older. The energeticness fell away, and a sad smile replaced it. Goddess she knew so much about sad smiles.
Out of nowhere, he touched his nose to her cheek. She flinched away a bit and blushed slightly, her fur covering most of it. Again, she quickly cool herself and listen to his words.
"Um...well, it seems it will be you and I. Ula needs much more rest and Darklight can keep an eye on her." From the corner of her eye, Ea saw her sister lift her tail again. Her way of saying 'fine'. Ea smiled a little.

[ulrica]

She had flinched away, he had accpected it would happen eventually but it still stung. He covered it however with an easy smile, bouncing away as if nothing had happened. "Then let's hunt shall we?"

He bounded away through the snow, the pup-like playfullness returning to his actions. Almost instantly, the scent of game floated across his well tuned nose, it was too early for him to tell exactly what it was but he didn't care. He just needed the hunt. His large paws carried him across the snow as if he had wings, and soon the hunt was well underway.

You're an idiot Gann. And that's all there is to it.


Ula woke up slowly, and wished she had woken up hours before. Ea was gone and so was Gann, she whimpered slightly and pushed herself up into a sitting position, her weakness momentarily forgotten by the thought of being alone...again. She turned her head and there sat the gray, Darklight. She seemed like she was still asleep but Ula wasn't sure, her breathing was too fast and irregular for one who was in slumber. Either way, Ula was scared. Where was Ea, and where was Gann?!

She pushed herself onto her feet, but her back legs gave out on her. With a yelp she crashed back to the floor. She whimpered, some out of pain, some out of fear, and all out of disgust. Disgust with herself, disgust with her whole situation. How could she have let herself get so weak?

[Moon_Song]

Ea saw that her reaction had upset him. She didn't mean to, she just wasn't used to that sort of affection.
"Yes, lets." She, too, smiled. No use crying over it. She ran along side him as he bounded with the energy and mannerism of a pup. It wasn't long before the scent of prey was in the air. The other animals knew of the storm as well, so they must be getting food for themselves. This was going to be a long storm.


Darklight heard the female, Ula start to move. She had stood, but wasn't strong enough yet, and fell back with yelp. Darklight sighed, still laying down. "If you injure yourself again, you're going to end up exhausting Ea more than you could imagine." Ula was scared, that much was apparent by the way she yelped and shifted around. "They'll be back soon enough so just lay down and get some rest."

As they came to a thick line of tree, Ea stopped suddenly. Just beyond was a caribou. A lone one. Perhaps it was an old one. If that was the case it would be easy to take down. "Gann." SHe whispered. She motioned toward the scent.

[ulrica]

Gann had also caught the scent of the caribou, and he gave a wry grin and a wink with Ea's whisper. "You chase I kill?" He whispered back, drifting through the trees like a wisp of smoke; he seemed to lose all solidity as he went into full on hunt-mode. No longer was he wolf, or beast, he was a ghost a whisper, the memory of something that disappeared as quickly as it had materialized. To hunt was something he knew very well. His paws were silent as he seemed to float across the snow, his silvery golden eyes hard with a steel-like glint.

The large deer like creature soon came into view and Gann crouched down in the snow, his eyes and ears all focused on their prey. It was old, walking with a slight limp, and had obviously fell behind long ago. Without the help of a herd, this creature had no hope of survival and he seemed to know that, still the life that shone from the condemned beast's eyes made it clear that he wouldn't go down without a fight. With a glance to Ea, he waited for her to either give chase or give him the go ahead. Either way, they would run down the caribou and feast.


Darklight was right, there was no way Ula would do any help to anyone by hurting herself. And from what the gray she-wolf had said, it would only make Ea weak, and that was something Ula could never do. I will not be more of a burden than I already am. She curled back up into a ball, and watched the opening to the den, waiting for Ea and Gann to get back.

[Moon_Song]

Ea whispered back. "I'll flush him and help you kill." She was adamant in this, the steely resolve thick in her voice. She had seen too many injuries to allow anyone to single handedly take down large game. They both moved forward through the trees, her with grace and agility, Gann as the shifting fog. She could sense the focus that came to wolves who were gifted in hunting. She had seen the look on her sisters face many times.
They stalked through he wood, quickly finding the caribou. It was old...and injured. Ea wouldn't let herself get cocky though. The old cow still had a spark left and wouldn't go down easily. She had long ago stopped having calves, as the sweat of motherhood was almost nonexistent here. So, at least, no calves were left motherless.
Ea waited for the caribou to move a little so that it was positioned just so.
It shifted.
Now! She looked to Gann and nodded. Bolting from the trees, she rounded the beast. It startled and tried to run, but Ea soon cut it off. She growled and snarled viciously. The caribou reared, attempting to land of Ea's back, but she quickly jump away as it landed. "Now, Gann!" She called out. If they attacked simultaneously, They would have a better chance of taking it down. She went for the throat of the beast. She jumped up, digging her claws into its hide. The cow made a noise of agony as it realized its demise. It jumped and kicked, attempting to throw the wolves off, but Ea held tight. She clamped her jaws around its throat, cutting through arteries and closing off the wind pipe. It wouldn't be long before the beast was felled.