Joining the crowd

[nahash]

The small maned wolf pleasantly lapped at the cool waters that pooled in the small lake near the temple that Verlorhund now called home. The Toai where getting crowded, he remembered when loners ruled the crumbling plains. Now it seemed that everyone had ether joined the Maledetto pack or moved on.

Verly was not as young as had used to be and his rebellious loner spark had started to fade. He now craved security and lasting companionship, things that he could not have as a loner.

[ulrica]

<sup>Rocks. Rubble. More rocks...

Everything looks exactly the same here... She was bored. Bored, and tired, and hungry, and rethinking her decision of exploring this area that had once seemed so interesting. Still, she trudged on, dragging her paws with little to no resemblance of her usual grace. It's your own fault. You should have paid better attention to where you were going. A voice said haughtily in the adolescent femme's mind. Yes, she should have paid attention to where she had been going, just as she should have judged her speed better before taking that last dive... A painful twinge in her left wing reminded her of why she was still walking. Normally, Aiu was a very good flier, but for some reason she had miscalculated and as a result had strained some muscle in her wing making it almost impossible for her to get more than a few feet off the ground. Now, the grumpy she-wolf was lost and more than a little bitter about her situation.

Rocks passed by on either side of her and for a while they were of little importance. That is until the realization hit her that she had seen the same pile of stones multiple times. Giving an irritated growl, she growled at the ruins as if that would make them move and reveal the path out from this maze of crumbling stone and mortar. It came of little surprise when absolutely nothing happened. Well, what did you expect? Aiu snorted and chose to ignore the irritating little voice that kept reminding her how foolish she was. Then a smell hit her. Lupine... Male... Water! A joyful bark escaped her muzzle as she lunged forward into an easy lope, the thought of water silencing any thoughts of regret or idiocy she had been about to make. Following her nose, the pond appeared before her in a mater of minutes...as did the male wolf. Fear instantly bloomed and spread through Aiu's blood, sending adrenaline to make her heart race. Well... I can just wait for him to-- A tumbling of some rocks to her left pushed the snowy female into plain view; she had to bite back a yelp as a stone struck her wounded wing. However, she had just revealed herself to a potential threat and that took precedence over pain any day. Gem stone eyes turned on the male and narrowed in distrust while her right wing flared slightly. Hackles raised and fluffy banner swishing across her heels, Aiu watched the wolf before her as a voice silently screamed to run.</sup>


((OOC: If this was meant for someone just say so and I can delete this haha >.< ))

[nahash]

Hearing a distant growl Verly was brought out of his self reflection. As the sound of paws running of dry earth and grass grew closer the red wolf turned to face his approaching guest. they are coming straight at me with a purpose this might be trouble he thought to him self calling on his magic in case he needed to make a quick escape. Verly was neither big nor strong so if looked like a fight he was prone to run. it wasn't that he was expecting a fight but he was a loner in a claim pack land.

He tensed as he waited the agonizingly long few moments for the fae to show herself. Seeing to white wolf roll out of the ruble Verlorhund relaxed a little but still maintained his guard. she seemed lost scared and nervous but not aggressive he thought. Slowly circling her he called out "may I help you" in the kindest voice he could muster given the unknown circumstance.

[ulrica]

<sup>Aiu watched the male through veiled windows. Outwardly, he would see her fear and confusion, but the utter chaos and turmoil she felt was successfully hidden away from view. For a brief moment, the young she-wolf felt a flash of disgrace at the relation she found between herself and a common deer as the male began to circle her. She snorted quietly, drawing her front paws together and letting her hind legs slide a little farther apart before falling back onto her haunches. I am not prey and I will not act frightened as such a cowardly creature would. The words crossed her mind with something close to disdain, however, her face was now void of emotion. She simply watched the male as he circled her, his offer of help ignored until she had memorized the side facing her. Dark red fur covered his entire frame, resembling the color of a fox. He even had the black boots on his legs...well one any way, but he had the dark splashes on the tip of his tail as well as on his ears. His chest-which was a lighter tan or white-was broad. Every time he was forced to put weight on his right shoulder, Aiu noticed a slight limp which she quickly made a note of and locked away for potential future use.

Now it was time to answer the wolf's offer for help. The adolescent she-wolf remembered it had been kind and gentle, at least as much as could be expected given the tense atmosphere. Truth be told, Aiu got the idea that neither of them were really comfortable with the other's presence. But seeing her ungraceful and less than dignified entrance added in with the fact they had no idea who the other was, the female was surprised the male hadn't simply attacked her straight out. After all, surely this was his land and she was trespassing... Right? She was beginning to wonder about this wolf's allegiances.. However, none of this confusion was shown. Instead, a mask of youthful coyness was plastered across her visage, easily hiding any unease or discomfort she felt. "Well, for starters you could stop circling me like I'm some rabbit. You're beginning to make me dizzy." She said, her voice light and airy as it drifted off her tongue on lilting tones, yet there was a danger that lurked behind the surprisingly seductive noise that dared the male to fall under her spell and lose his wits for even a second. "Other than that," Aiu spoke again, standing and swishing her tail absently across her heels as she brushed by the male and headed for the water, "there's really nothing you can do. Unless you have some sort of healing magic anyway..." The last bit was muttered under her breath as she crouched down by the water's edge.

Silence fell over her, the only noise being the small drip of water from her chin as she lapped up mouthful after mouthful of the sweet liquid. Her throat was parched, but dignity kept her from drinking too desperately. The wolfess might have seemed for a moment oblivious to the male's company, but it was completely the opposite. One ear pricked toward him and inconspicuously followed his movements, her paws picked up the vibrations of his foot steps from the ground, and her nose caught every whiff of his scent. If he even thought about attacking while her back was turned, she would know. Aiu could have drank that delicious water for years, but there were more pressing matters at hand. So, lifting her head and twirling around to face the wolf, she forgot about the lingering thirst that burned at the back of her throat and tempted her with the scent of water just a few feet away. Fighting the urge to continue drinking, the female sat back on her haunches and tucked her wings against her sides, curling her long tail around her front legs while arching her neck to peer at the male with a look of detached curiosity. In a way, she almost looked regal in this position, like a princess fallen from her throne. "If you don't mind my asking, who are you?" She demanded, though her tone was gentle and almost soothing it was obvious she wouldn't settle for an evasive answer.</sup>

[nahash]

"so...sorry, I did not mean to make you feel uncomfortable, I just tend to pace when I am nervous" he said stopping in his tracks. His nostrils flared as he breathed the females scent as she brushed against him. Turning almost on instinct Verly followed wolfess to the water. Not being thirsty himself, he sat on his hunches a short ways up the shore. He waited for the Fae to finish before he spoke "My name is Verlorhund but you my call me Verly or give me a new nickname, what are you called" his voice bounce as he spoke like that of an excited child. It had been a very long time since he had had company and know that the tension had slackened off he was starting to hope she might stay a while.

[ulrica]

<sup>Aiu stretched and yawned, her maw opening wide to reveal her sharp teeth. A coy smile played on her muzzle when she stood straight again. "I am Aiu, and Verly will do just fine." The snowy she-wolf replied, slightly amused by the excitement in the males voice. She padded toward him, head held erect and stepping somewhat higher than usual in an almost regal manner. Her gemstone eyes watched him closely as she copied his earlier actions, circling him once at a short distance before circling him a second time. With the second rotation she lifted her left wing to let it hover above the male's back, her thickly furred side brushing against his. Her long tail slightly wrapped around his chest as she turned to his other side, sniffing daintily behind his ear and under his jaw. Then, as suddenly as she had closed the distance between them, she leaped away with the playfulness of a pup.

Falling back on her rump a couple feet away and letting her wings rest on the ground, she cocked her head and snorted quietly before a smile crept onto her black lips. "Well, I've decided to trust you not to try and kill me at least for the time being." Aiu stated, as if that was simple conversation material. "And if you did try anything, I suppose I could just fly away if I thought you were proving to be to much of a-" She suddenly fell silent, her head whipping around to the left. Ears up, eyes wide and focused, body entirely still. "Did you hear that...?" She asked, glancing at Verly before standing and edging a little bit closer to him. Hunger made her weaker than usual and if something had come after them seeking an easy meal, she hoped the male would at least try to protect her. Odds are it's a rabbit... A voice said in her mind, filled with boredom.</sup>