Just Wandering [tis open]

[Moon_Song]

Ea loved the land she could now call her own. She had claimed it for her pack and she couldn't be happier. It resembled the icy place of her birth in which she was well camouflaged, her snowy coat melting into the omnipresent white blanket that fell over the land. She was identifiable, however, by the few oddities that were unique to her. On her front left leg, inky black branches crawl up from her wrist to her shoulder. On her chest the same colored marking appear in the jagged form of a heart. Her eyes completed the trio of strangeness. The left of was a deep ocean blue, and the right was a bright gold.

At the moment, Ea's pack was scattered about the land, acting as scouts for the time being until the pack grew and more scouts could be added. Ea herself took the forested area with pleasure. She enjoyed the way the snow sat upon the branched of the trees and how the small animals would scurry under the low brush.

She had heard the stream from a ways back, and feeling a little thirsty, decided to get a drink. When she did finally make her way over to the little creek, she thought she heard movement. She smelled the air, but the wind was coming from behind her, so scenting anything in front of her was difficult.

The only things she did smell was the usual scents of the forest: trees, small game, birds, territory markers and the like. She did not drop her guard though. Warily, she stepped to the little creek that had managed to keep from freezing and lapped up the frigid water.

[Sanka]

Sanka was only a little way down the stream when the wind brought him the scent of a lone fae. He quickly hid knowing that many rouges would seek land near a water source. His dark pelt didn't do much to help him hide in this winter paradise, luckily there were more than enough low lying shrubs to conceal him. As he dove in a rabbit bound out no doubt making enough noise to attract attention. Knowing that the fae was close he closed is blazing red eyes and held his breath doing all that he could to stay hidden until he could analyze the situation. As the chill of the snow and the wind made its way to his core, he lay still, waiting for the fae to drop her guard. The winds were in his favor for this attack even though he naturally didn't carry a scent other than what he picked up here or there. He watched as she drank cautiously, somehow aware of his presence. He took this as his chance.

He stood up allowing her to know exactly who it was she had sensed. She was on the other side of the stream, about 6 meters away. She was a gorgeous wolf, all white with amazing unique markings that were scattered over her pelt. Hopefully no blood would have to be spilled here, Sanka wasn't one to kill females, unless of course they had wings. He looked over her back once more, nope, no wings.

"Is this your land?" he asked assuming she was just some outcast loner looking for a new home. [/size][/font][/b]

[Moon_Song]

Ea lifted her head slowly from the stream. She kept her eyes fixed on the large dark male who popped up from the snow before her. The fact the wind was against here make her uneasy. She could not smell the other wolf, so she knew only what she could see.

He spoke then, asking her if the land was hers. She debated whether she should tell him right off or first figure out why he was here. She chose to try the latter.

"Before I answer you, I would like to ask something of you." She hoped he wouldn't be too suspicious, "What is it that brings you to this place?" She tilted her head to the side in curiosity.

[Sanka]

Sanka was taken aback by her response. He wanted to answer her rudely saying something like "My paws." but he wasn't that kind of wolf. Although he was usually hesitant to give out any information her question seemed simple enough.

"Searching for a friend." he said.

He spoke the truth. It had been many moons since he'd started his search for Meridian. So far there had been little success. Most didn't know who Meridian was to begin with, and now that he had taken a new dakkan form, which few had seen, it was impossible to gather information from locals. Basically Sanka had just been wandering through territories, not caring about the consequences he'd face if he encountered the pack that had claimed it.

"Now i ask you again fae, is this your land?"[/font]

[Moon_Song]

Ea lifted at brow at being called a 'fae'. She had not heard that term in a while. Had she grown overly used to her title? She hoped not. She detested the idea of getting a big head over to position.

Regardless of what he called her, he had answered her question, It was time for her to do the same. "Yes, these lands belong to my pack." She wondered if her answer was as vague to him as his was to her.

Skipping over the thought she presented another of her own. "What is your name, wanderer?"

[Sanka]

Her pack? Her answer was direct and to the point, and yet it sparked 100's of new questions in his mind. By "Her" pack did she mean she was the alphess? And how many strong was his pack?? The land was large but still he should have come across another wolf by now! Not wanting to upset her he allowed those questions to fall to the back of his mind while he pondered how to answer hers. Indeed at birth he was given a name, a respectable name, a royal name. But now that he was no longer in his homeland he wanted to spread that name as little as possible, the less evidence of where he had been the better, who knew who was searching for him now.

"Sanka." he said under his breath hoping she wouldn't recognize it. He would have much rather lied but the only name that came to his mind was Meridian, and he wouldn't want to soil his friends name.

Although his land was far from here so were many of the wolves who resided here in Shinkou, who is to say that his name couldn't have been carried here by the lips of another.

He didn't bother asking for her name, 'fae' would be more than sufficient.

"Your markings, they're beautiful. But the way they stain your white coat, they seem almost impure. Were you born with them?"[/size][/font][/b]

[Moon_Song]

There was a slight panic, if that was the right emotion, in his eyes as she spoke. He seemed to be reeling with the simple comment. She resisted the urge to smile (she was turning into her sister) and listened to what he would say next.

He called himself Sanka. An interesting name, but she had heard many odd names before. She nodded, but did not miss the fact that he did not ask for her name. Had it been her sister in this situation, there would probably have been name calling, but Ea knew that a name held power. She actually thought it a bit odd that the male-Sanka-did not ask for a name in return. Perhaps he did not know of the power of a name. Perhaps he didn't care.

He commented on her markings then, and she looked down at them absently as he spoke. her pendant swaying from the motion. How could these markings be impure? They were her link to....they had been what made her remarkable among the other wolves of her homeland. "I was, in fact, born with these markings." She lifted her head as she replied, staring into Sanka's eyes with her own b-colored ones. Her lips rose a bit in a small smile as she continued. "And they no more mar my fur than rain distorts the beauty of the flowers."

[Sanka]

Sanka smiled at her response. Her eyes were so beautiful. Sanka always had a thing for bi-colored eyes.

"Your land is beautiful pack wolf. And bountiful too. Your pack must be large and strong, and they'd probably kill to protect their land. So would you please escort me off this land as a prisoner? I would rather not end the life of any of your comrades." he asked.

It wasn't like him to back away from a fight, nor was it like him to ask a fae for help. But in an unknown place, with no one to trust, he had no other choice.[/size][/b][/font]

[Moon_Song]

Ea couldn't help but laugh. Her pack? Vicious killers? Ha! sure they had a few...less than civil members, but none were so violent as to outright attack and kill another wolf just because it wandered into their lands.

"Sanka, you misunderstand." Ea spoke, her voice still colored with amusement. "My pack is a peaceful one. They would not attack a stranger unless they were attacked first. Not even out Tyran..er, our generals are that fierce when unprovoked." Except maybe her sister, but she left that part out. Darklight was extremely protective of her in any situation and had a tendency to go a little overboard. Where was she now?

Ea let the question drop and paid closer attention to Sanka. She wondered how he would take her laughing at him. Hopefully he wasn't too bothered by it. "However, if you feel more comfortable being escorted through our territory, I will accompany you."

[Sanka]

She laughed at him! He burned up with embrassment on the inside. But thats not his ears has caught. She did it again, "My pack." Before when she said it, it was understandable. But in this case she could have just said "we." Sanka's mind yearned to know just who this fae was. But sometime not knowing was best. He once again let it slide hoping to avoid any conflict. Then he decided to try and disguise his question hoping to get a few answers without provoking her.

"I'm sorry..." he started. "It was rude of me to think that a kind fae such as yourself would lead a bloodthirsty pack. Besides im sure the cold keeps a check on they're hot heads." he said with a pleasant tone in his voice. "But I truly have no idea where i am, so an escort would be very much appreciated."

He help his breath watching the fae for any movement at all. If a single cell in her body gave twitched, he'd know.[/size][/font][/b]

[Moon_Song]

He certainly was a cleaver one. She cold feel the intensity with which he watched her, looking for a sign that he had guessed correctly. He hid his emotions better than some she knew, but she enough to be able to see past most barriers...most.

She gave him a sly grin. "You certainly have a quicker wit than some." It was more of an under-the-breath comment, but she did not doubt that he heard her.

She wondered if he would ask any question. She would answer them as best she could, but he didn't seem the kind to ask much of strangers.

"At any rate, if I am to escort you, I do need to know where it is you are going." She looked him over, a bit expectantly. It was not a rude look in any way, though.

Darklight knew she should have stayed at her post by the dens, but she didn't like that her sister...her Serra was out on her own. As Tyran, it was her duty to keep watch over and guard her Serra until she found a suitable Ser. As of yet, none had appeared.

She was at least a mile or two away from where Ea was patrolling. The wind blew in Darklight's face and brought the scents of the forest to her.

She felt uneasy. She was much too far from her sister to tell if anything was wrong yet, but she was determined to check it out.

[Sanka]

Sanka smirked, she wasn't too shabby herself. He could tell she could see through his every plan and was happy he didn't have any grudges with the fae. Anyone she'd face in battle would be ripped to shreds with cunning instead of strength, and that's just embarrassing. He laughed to himself as he began pondering where he should go next. He had been wandering for months, it was probably time for him to go home to his pack and find out what was going on with them. The lands were uneasy, and the pack he belonged to, unlike hers, had been running quite wild. Who knew what kind of trouble the Akatsuki have gotten themselves in.

"I suppose it's time for me to return to the Fire Wells. I appreciate your kindness. The cold can easily be forgotten when there's some one to test ones mind." he said noticing how comfortable he felt in the cold climate. Wind ruffled his fur, and snow melted on his nose, but even as his body was being bombarded with the elements he somehow felt warm. It amazed him how powerful the mind was.[/size][/font][/b]

[Moon_Song]

This was the second wolf to come to her land from the Fire Wells. Thanks to that last interaction she had a pretty good idea in which direction to go. The Fire Wells was to the south of here.

Ea nodded and took a few steps...then stopped. Had the wind changed? She could have sworn she felt the fiery presence of her sister. Was she coming to check on her? It was defiantly a possibility.

Ea looked back at Sanka. "As a fair warning, if any of my pack do show up soon, please do not be alarmed or take offense to their comments."

She was closer now. Her strong, powerful legs flung snow behind her as she ran. The wind had not changed, which was good for her. She liked it better when her approach was unknown. Although, could she really keep her movement secret for her sister for long? Probably not. She was too keen a wolf for that.

Ea's scent was all over the place. She was getting closer. But what was this? Another scent? And a males at that! Darklight sped up. She could already feel a resonating growl building in her throat.

[Sanka]

Sanka was confused by her warning although his face didn't show it. A second ago she had called her pack peaceful. and now she was issuing a warning. Perhaps she had a specific wolf in mind...whatever the case he wouldn't stand back and accept anyone's verbal abuse. Although if he was to fight one of her packmates she might become violent as well.

As she led them what felt to be south he kept his eyes open and strained to hear every sound. He wouldn't allow himself to be snuck up on again.

As the wind swirled around him Sanka struggled to scent the air. The turbulent winds offered him no comfort with information as their journey continued. For good measure Sanka scanned over the fae once more. She was all white with a thick coat, very suited for this region, her eyes were bi-colored and looked to have infinite wisdom, she was a short and compact wolf, much smaller than Sanka. the around her neck hung a necklace and attached to it was a beautiful blue gem. He stared at it for what seemed like ages getting lost in its beauty.

"I like your necklace." he said, finally breaking free of its trance.[/size][/b][/font]

[Moon_Song]

Ea absently looked down at her necklace. A gentle smile crossed her lips...and there was a hint of sadness there. She cleared her face of the emotion quickly. "Thank you. My mother gave it to me when I was young. Apparently a huge and ancient dragon gave it to her when she was pregnant." She hoped her voice hadn't faltered when she had mentioned her mother. How long had it been?

Almost there. She was close. She could see the foot prints in the distance.

Ea's ears pricked up. "Here we go." She mumbled to herself. "Sanka, please do not be alarmed." She warned him again. Just as she finished speaking, her sister jumped between her and Sanka, teeth bared and a fierce growl ripping from deep within her throat.

Who the hell was this?! And why was he following Ea? She was about to ask Ea herself, but the look on her sisters face stopped her. "What's going on here?" She spoke to Ea but never moved her attention from the male before here.

Ea moved in front of her sister, her movements graceful and calculated. The surprise on her sisters face was obvious. "Be calm. I am escorting this male to the Fire Wells. He has lost his way, like that one before." There was recognition in Darklights eyes.

Ea turned around to face Sanka. She lowered her head. "I apologize for her actions. She can be...over protective at times, but she only means to protect her Serra and sister." Ea lifted her head and smiled warmly toward Sanka.

Darklight listened intently. She knew that she was over protective, but she didn't care. Their parents had trusted her with watching over her little sister, and she took her duties very seriously.

She kept her eyes on the male, keeping a tab on every move he made. She had lowered the aggression in her stance, but she remained ridged and at the ready for a fight. Oh it had been so long since she had a good fight.