A Land All Their Own ~Voyani Gathering~

[Moon_Song]

((OOC: no worries ; ) ))

When Akuma stated he was growing pleasantly accustomed to pack life, she couldn't help but smile. "Well I am glad to hear that." However, when he asked of her if she enjoyed her position, her grin faltered a bit. What did he mean?

As he went on, she thought of how best to answer. After a moment of silence, she spoke. "I am proud of this pack, and overjoyed that it has been working as well as it has. We even have an allied pack! I couldn't ask for more." She paused a moment, her expression softening. "Even so, I do not take this responsibility lightly. I know that, eventually, there will come a time when fighting or arguments will arise, and it will be up to me to quell them. Had I a Ser, the tasks could be split, but..." Her expression had grown sullen, and there was a bit of a forlorn look in her eyes. She shook her head as if to clear her mind of something. "Forgive me, I'm just rambling now.

This new land was not too far from her homeland in a purely visual way. There was the omnipresent snow that painted the landscape with its pristine whiteness, and the dappled breaks in color (the tress, underbrush, ect.) that served to give the landscape depth. The chill was not exactly the same, but it was still that biting cold that she remembered.

The biggest difference between this place and Yokusei, was the feel of it. Where Yokusei was one landscape, though vast as it was, this place had an energy all its own. Here, there were varied landscapes, each with its own unique characteristics, each with a name all its own.

And it all belonged to the pack. Yes, their allied packs members were free to roam as they would, so long as the abided by the proper conduct, bit the land was theirs. The sisters' dream had been realized, in its small way.

Through all of her observations, Darklight took notice of Aithne's unsure footing. Would she be able to handle this climate? She hoped so, for if she could not, that would leave her in charge of all of the lower military positions. As things stood now, there weren't so may below her, so that wouldn't be all too difficult, but as the pack grew, which she hoped it did, it would be far too difficult for one wolf to handle. She knew her limits, as far reaching as they were.

Aithne's demenor reminded her of one far too high-strung and worried. When the other female snapped at the air, She could not hold back the question the was rattling around her mind. "What is troubling you, Aithne?" In response, the winged female only said she was attempting acclimate to the weather.

At this, Darklight frowned, for she knew it was a lie. "Aithne, it wouldn't be wise to lie to a fellow Tyran. Being in the positions we are in, we must be able to trust each others judgement. How am I to do that if you will not speak truthfully?" She attempted that maternal grin that her sister so commonly adorned to soften the comment, but it felt wrong on her face, so she dropped the attempt and instead adopted a look of curiosity.

[Relairah]

Akuma listened as Ea responded to him, feeling almost a bit surprised when she didn't turn him down from even asking. He supposed perhaps he had grown unfamiliar with wolves who were normal, trusting, friendly, so different from his current self. Well at least to a point. How he was striving to reach that again, it was just taking time.

He nodded slowly as she spoke of her pride in the pack and how excited she was, yet also expressed her uncertainties about the responsibilities yet to come with time. He could understand that, more than she or anyone else knew. Nevertheless, he didn't speak of such things now. Perhaps because he saw no need to be speaking about himself unless she asked. Instead he continued to listen until she drifted off.

He hesitated before giving her a smile. "Nothing to forgive, Serra. Your concerns are perfectly understandable and reasonable." He paused. "Besides, you need only wait until the right time. I have no doubt you will find your perfect Ser and he will be magnificent by your side." His smile widened, and he hoped the words were both comforting, and encouraging. He had faith in her, at least, it was growing within him.

[satumitsumi]

Aithne kept her gaze forward, her eyes narrowing at Darklight's words. An intuitive one, she was. It was hard to make even the most straight-faced lie with her. Even with the stern wording Darklight had used, Aithne couldn't bring herself to even hint at what she was thinking.

She did not wish for her packmates to worry for their own safety to the point of paranoia--let alone for her safety. But what was she to say? At this point, she couldn't lie to Darklight--it pained her to do such a thing, anyhow--so what was she to say?

Something clicked in her mind and, with gritted teeth, she stated, "It's nothing to concern yourself with. It's a personal matter." Voila. If Darklight really wished to cross into personal territory, she could, but not without a fuss. Sure, they were packmates, and sure they were both Tyrans--but no, this honestly did not concern her.

Aithne kept her eyes forward and her head down, wing pressed tightly to her side, becoming accustomed to loping through the voluminous amount of snow.

[/color]

[Moon_Song]

There was comfort in Akuma's words, both given and received. In his eyes, and understanding, possibly beyond her own grasp. What exactly had this one before her gone through in his former life...his life before Voyani? She wondered if he was scarred by it, or ashamed...or scared.

Her eyes trailed his outline. It was still strange to see one as large a moose one their side. She had seen oddities before on the long travels her sister an she had been on, but each one was unique and more baffling than the last. The magic in this land was astounding.

He forgave her lapse of grace, and even said she would one day find her perfect match. She no longer possessed the juvenile innocence of mind that would lead some to fantasy of a knight in shining armor, or notions of love at first sight. That innocence of mind had been the downfall of her first life...

Even so, she understood the wish Akuma had for his Serra...but...did she even want a male? Did she want to take on that kind of possible heart ache? She had realized why she had never readily sought out a male partner. It wasn't for her sisters sake, though that was partly the reason. She was afraid. Afraid of loss. The kind of loss that eventually reached everyone...that had already reached out to her so desperately so many years ago.

She pushed away the dark thoughts, as she had done so many times, and hoped her one track mind had not shown through, though she feared it had...had she looked terribly sad? "Perhaps, one day."

Aithne hadn't taken kindly to the comment, and she narrowed her gaze toward Darklight. Oops. She hadn't meant to get such a response, but she could not take back her words and speak them again in a more gentle tone. After a moment of nothing, Aithne came back with, basically, "I'ts none of your business." Darklight, of coursed, frowned and her brow furrowed. What could make Aithne so jumpy? Then again, from what had happened between the two before, how much did it take to make Aithne jumpy?

She didn't want to drop the subject, but she knew a personal boundary when she saw one This was not a conversation to have out in the open, and in front of a new pack member. She kept her mouth closed and instead focused on the trek ahead of them. She was not satisfied, and she would get her answer, even if that meant she had to wait...

[Relairah]

His smile faded slightly at her words, yes, perhaps. Yet 'someday' was something he had often told himself. It had become, at least for him, almost like a fantasy of a promise. Someday was a way of saying, some other day. Almost like a lack of will to do something. It wasn't that he felt anyone who said someday was in any way a slacker, but perhaps someone afraid of something or uncertain of something. Someone putting something off until they had to face it. This was only Akuma's perspective, but it was one he had come to over years of telling himself 'someday'. It was perhaps simply how he had been for a time. He had often said, "Someday I will start anew. Someday I will open up again. Someday I will be as I once was, only greater and more grown. Someday..." But he had suffered, and had taken time to heal. And for him, that 'someday' had finally arrived in the form of the Voyani pack. And he was grateful for it. Still, he had to make his own initiative. If he had never left Shinkou to pursue his goal, he may never have found his someday. And he was sure there was more to come.

He observed Serra Ea's features and expressions. Yes, she had become saddened, he had seen it. But he felt partially responsible. He hadn't wished to make her feel down. He released his breath gently and dipped his head. He wasn't sure why, but suddenly words came tumbling from his mouth that he hadn't expected, or prepared to say. "You know, Serra, I once had someone.. well, many ones who were dear. Long ago, in my first pack. I loved them more than I could ever say. I lost them due to a bit of tragedy, and you know, I often think: 'What if I had arrived even a moment sooner? I could've stopped everything.' Or similar thoughts. But I can't go back. I believe there was some purpose for what happened. Like: perhaps if it hadn't, I might never have become part of the Voyani."

He paused, surprised at what he had just said and also the fact he hadn't gazed off somewhere. He had spoken in complete sincerity. He wasn't sure how to continue from that point, or what Ea's reaction would be, though he all of a sudden felt like he wasn't helping her sadness.

After a moment, he spoke once more. "I went to Shinkou because it's a large pack and it felt comfortable there. I wasn't bothered often and could keep to myself. I didn't have to worry about sharing everything with anyone who wanted to know. But... it wasn't right. I was hiding there. Hiding from facing myself and what had happened. So I left in hopes of finding a pack where I would have to open up and regain myself. Somewhere I could grow and become greater." Another pause. "I suppose I realized I couldn't simply remain isolated and hiding forever. I had to step out if I ever wanted to find the closeness, warmth, and happiness of a family again, even in the form of a pack who knows and supports each other. And you know, Serra, I must say... even if I haven't been here long, I have already begun to feel the excitement returning to me. Even if something happens in the future and I must move on for some unknown reason, I believe that the time it lasts where I am home and full of enjoyment, it will be worth it."

Again, he wasn't sure why he was saying all this, but it just felt right to do so. It was the next step, he told himself. He had taken the first one by joining Voyani. It was time for him to proceed forward. It was a personal journey of sorts. And who knew, perhaps there really was some reason he was here. Perhaps he had some purpose. As he continued to look at his Serra, his eyes were full of comfort, and also a bit of relief. It felt strange. He had been carrying around his past for so long and so afraid of sharing or letting anyone in, for any reason. This had been the first time in such a long time. It felt good and yet nerve racking. Perhaps with time and practice, he would get better at this whole.. opening up thing.

[satumitsumi]

((OOC: for the sake of keeping things moving, I'll skip my turn, as there's not really a whole lot going on with Aithne right now.))

[Moon_Song]

((OOC: Thats fine. Darklight will be put on hold for now as well if that be the case ^_^))



There was a span of time where only silence followed, though short, it made her feel subconscious. Akuma was the one who broke it. He let out a breath, like a sigh, and lowered his head. He must have seen the sadness in her face. Oh, why did she have to think about that! It always showed through. It was the only thing the coudn't keep from showing through...
Akuma began to speak and it broke her, momentarily, from her loop of bad thoughts.

He spoke of a past that was similar to hers. He, too, had lost loved ones, and he, too, blamed himself. In her case, It was all her fault. There was no way around that. Akuma, at least, was able to move on in his own way. Thats what he seemed to be saying anyway.

He stopped suddenly, as if his words had come from someone else. Had he meant to say so much? He didn't look away, didn't flinch away. Perhaps, somewhere inside himself, he had meant to say it.

Before the silence had gone on for too long, he went on. He talked about his time in the great Shinkou pack and how he was only hiding there. Hiding from himself, it seemed. Another Pause. What he said after that made her heart, and her eyes, well. He felt at home. In her pack. With her people. With her. It would be one he remembered, even if for some reason it would one day cease to exist. He kept his eyes on her the entire time, his gaze filling her with comfort, and expressing his own restfulness. He had the look of one who had just lifted a weight off of his shoulders.

She felt something else as his eyes never wavered from hers. She cared for this male before her, as she cared for all those around her, but... "Akuma." She managed to say while keeping her voice even. "You have no idea how glad I am to hear that." The smile she offered was different than any she had given as of yet. It was far warmer and far more gentle.

[ulrica]

((OOC: erg... Does anyone mind if I hop in? If it hasn't progressed too far and if i'm still in the pack that is... >.>))

[satumitsumi]

((Just gonna post a quick lil' something to keep this alive. AND WELCOME BACK, ULRICA!!! ))

They walked on in silence for a while, Aithne's eyes glued to the non-existent path before them, listening to the distant sound of large game grunting and calling out in the distance, even scratching their antlers against the bark of the trees. A plethora of arctic birds speed through the air towards the infinite sky, and a pair of hares keep wary eyes on the three wolves as they audaciously munch on grass before them.

Such a harmonious time to be in turmoil.

Finally, Aithne's ears swiveled violently for a few moments, without direction or purpose. Then, in a very low voice, under her breath, shielded under a growl, she uttered, "Yura. Her fur was brown. Wings the shape of a raven's, but the color of a dove's. That is all I remember of her. But if you see her," she continued, lifting her head, "tell me. That way I can..." She furrowed her brow.

Could she do such a thing? Could she sink to such a low as her sister, to kill someone? She'd watched her dear friend Gruer turn from a bright blue and green bird of paradise to naught but soot, felt the pain of a wing being torn from her body, and watched her family commit countless crimes--slaughtering other wolves to claim their shelters, looting their kills when the forest offered nothing to eat. Such evil should have been ingrained into her, become a part of her. Why didn't it? How come the bloodlust that ran through her family's blood avoided her?

She fell silent. There was nothing else she could say.

[/size]

[Moon_Song]

((OoC: Join right! Glad to have you back, my friend:D))

[ulrica]

((OOC: Glad to be back!! ^_^))

<sup>Gann trudged easily through the snow, the familiar howl now long gone still ringing like the last haunting notes of some beautiful melody. Thoughts of their last encounter in a land similar to this briefly crossed his mind, causing his excitement to grow and making him bound forward toward his new packmates. "Hey wait up! This stuff is hard to get through!" An irritated female voice spoke from behind him, the lilting tones sounding more like a growl than their usual flowing manner. The large male stopped and looked back to see his traveling partner leaping painfully slowly through the snow. "Come on, were almost out of the worst part and then you'll be able to run without hindrance. Hurry up!" He encouraged, though as he turned to continue on the clipped tone he had finished with made him almost feel a little regret.


Stupid male!! Doesn't he know anything?! This snow is up to back, how does he expect me to walk let alone 'hurry up'?! Aiu complained silently, her jade eyes glaring daggers at Gann's now turned back. "Why couldn't I have just flown....?" She grumbled, knowing full well he couldn't hear her as far away as they were from each other. Still, she obeyed him, grudgingly yet still his words pushed her to try harder as they had for their entire trip. The snow was cold, but that went unnoticed by the adolescent wolfess, maybe every once in a while a small chill trembled through her wings but for the most part her thick coat and tightly knit feathers kept the slender figure beneath them warm enough. "Come on Aiu! You're almost out!" Gann's voice carried easily over the feet of snow that separated them, the separation which was growing steadily smaller as the lithe form that was Aiu struggled to overcome the grasping depths of the snow. Finally, only her paws were covered and she stood panting slightly in front of the large gray male.


The lithe female's jade eyes glared Gann with a vehemence only she could possess. "You idiot, you just don't know when to--" "Come on, we can run now. Hurry up!" The usually kind male silenced her with his order to hurry and then spun around to spray her with snow as he took off at a dead sprint toward that familiar howl. Aiu easily kept his pace and ran on his right shoulder, every once in a while her wing brushing against his side as she adjusted them for balance or for comfort. Minutes passed and it felt like hours, but at last, Gann caught a whiff of a particular snowy wolfess who had strange tattoo like markings on her leg and chest. Ea, I'm almost there! He thought happily, the prospect of seeing his friend again only making the ground seem to pass below him that much slower. And then it wasn't just her smell, it was her voice and then her in the flesh. And someone was with her. A packmate?! He mused joyously, hardly noticing as Aiu stumbled and fell behind slightly.


Aiu couldn't understand the male's sudden happiness. She knew this was one of his friends, however, friendship was one thing she had never understood. Relationships, familiar, friendly, or otherwise, were something she had never gotten the chance to experience. However, sudden changes in attitude she could go along with. So, when Gann suddenly grew somber and and hesitated a few feet behind a massive bear of a wolf, Aiu pranced by him with anything but humbleness or humility. The gray male quickly growled at her something about manners, but the agile female paid no heed to his warning. Amazingly enough, once she had successfully ruined the conversation that had been going on between Ea the bear, Aiu spoke. "Serra Ea I presume. Gann spoke highly of you on the way here, I feel as though I know everything about you already." The winged wolfess said, her jade eyes studying the white she-wolf before her with interest. That is until a heavy shoulder shoved her away.


"Mind your tongue Aiu, she deserves your respect!" Gann hissed as she shouldered the winged female aside. The gray male then dipped his head and gave a small apologetic smile. "Serra Ea, and you sir whose name I haven't had the chance to yet learn, please accept my apologies and humility and those of my companion." His words and tone were formal, but his eyes gleamed with excitement at being in a pack. He was able to ignore the annoyed grumblings of Aiu as she moved to lay on the left of the giant male Ea had been speaking to. He noticed she had clamped her right wing against her side while letting the other splay out, and found some slight amusement. She didn't like to be near so many wolves at once but she still forced herself to try and push through that dislike at his earlier request. Silly girl... He mused while waiting for a reply.</sup>

[ulrica]

((OOC: I killed it!?!?!! Noooooo!!!! *sobs*))

[Moon_Song]

((OoC: lol no you didn't kill it. there's just issues with the people whos turn it is to post. some people are away and such. We just have to be patient for now ))

[Relairah]

OoC: Gah! Sorry it took me so long to reply everyone! After I figured out I have internet I've been rather busy with a few things going on. Anyway, onward! I hope xD

iC:



Akuma could feel himself opening up, like a flower who has spent too many months in winter and is eager for the warmth and sunshine of spring. Truly, he was glad he had met Serra Ea and joined the Voyani pack. He received her warm smile, and his ears flickered as she spoke to him, speaking of her gladness to hear his words. How excited he was that not only had he been able to open up and share with someone else, but that they had been warm and receiving. What had caused him to be so terrified in the past, he wondered suddenly? The pain of attachment and later hurt? Yes. That. But he was putting that behind him. It was better to live and get attached than live in loneliness. He was learning that. Oh how one can grow with time.

He smiled at Ea, and just as he was about to speak, he caught the scent of others followed by voices: first a female and then a male stepping forward beside her. Ea was greeted, and then himself. He didn't fail to note the formality of the words and dip of the head, but the sparkle in the eyes. His first reaction was to clam up again, just as he had so often in the past. But then he remembered what he had just shared with Ea. And how he was glad to be here. Obviously these were other pack members - at least the male was. He should be welcoming of them.. right?

Akuma dipped his own head in response to Gann. He wouldn't speak out of turn, of course always giving the Serra due respect in her rank above him, but once she had spoken, assuming of course she would, he would then reply, "I am Akuma." Well, that is if Ea didn't introduce him. Akuma had caught their names: Gann and Aiu when they had spoken them about each other. Nevertheless, if Ea introduced them for formality purposes, he would nod his head in turn toward each and smile. If such was done, he would also say, "Pleasure to meet you."

Although his first reaction had been the wave of shyness again, he pulled himself together and remembered his steps forward. These were fellow packmates. He was eager to get to know them.

[Moon_Song]

The silence was far from short, in her opinion. Aithne spoke up then. For a moment, Darklight was happy that her fellow Tyran was letting her in, even if only a little, but that joy was short lived. When Aithne couldn't finish her sentence, Darklight looked into her face as they walked. She was sure to remember the description of the one she mentioned though.

She would not push her friend past her limit. She nodded and replied, not mentioning the unfinished sentence, for she understood what it meant. "Don't worry, Aithne. There is no reason too." She hoped, though likely in vain, that she could offer some sort of comfort.

Akuma was on the verge of speaking-why did she long for those words?-when they seemed to simultaneously pick up on the approach of other wolves. The scent-and sound of voices-indicate two, one male and the other femme. The male's scent and voice was familiar. Where had she...

It hit her then as he and the female came into view. It was Gann! He had a friend with him. She watched curiously as the wolfess made her way over with an air of almost self importance. This did not particularly aggravate her, as she was a fairly calm individual, it was more amusing than anything. "Well, then...miss, it is a please to meet you as well."

Gann spoke up and moved forward, scolding the female-Aiu-and her manners. She chuckled lightly to herself. "No offense taken, old friend." She nodded. "This is Akuma." She gestured to the large male beside her. He is the second newest member of the pack."

Out of the corner of her eye, she noted the change, as well as the change back. Would Akuma be ok? He had just started to open up. She was a little disappointed with the intrusion, but not enough for it to show. Besides, seeing an old friend was always a treat. How was your journey here? I hope you didn't have too much trouble with the, uh, weather." She waited intently for their reply, wondering how long it had been since she had seen him.

((Ooc: Not my best work, I know :sweatdrop: ))