The only hope for me [[H]]

[Le Mad]

The morning was a crisp one. Flares of color lit the early morning sky, dappling it with pinks, purples, and yellows that faded into a translucent blue. The moon was still vaguely visible in the sky, staring almost eerily down at the early springtime planet below. Frost glittered upon the leaves and grass in the Koori Highlands. A light sheet of ice seemed to have formed over everything the past night.

Dark gray paws crunched through the frosty grass, and a tail of the same color swayed back and forth. The outlands and those she had befriended had been fun, but nothing beat the territory that she could call home. Sure it was cold most of the year, but it was proving to be worth it. The dark colored fae, with the sun and moon markings beneath each of her baby blue eyes, had returned home.

She was almost a year old now. Around eleven months old according to the moon cycles. She had made it just fine from the outlands to the small Voyani pack. She had been accepted and welcomed immediately, and she aspired to be a contributing Annager to the pack. Once she was a year old, she could eventually carve her niche. Just a month to go.

A smile pressed on her deep black lips, her body moving to a silent rhythm that always seemed to be present in her movements. The sunlight that was beginning to climb into the sky dazzled her. The femme began to slowly climb onto the peak of a hill. A breeze caught her fur, rippling through its dark expanse. Her wings slowly flared out and she smiled, closing her glassy eyes. Eventually, she made it to the top of the hill and sat down with a sigh.

“Glorious.” She murmured quietly, staring at the horizon.

[shrinerbaby]

Caelestis

[/size][/color] and Amadeus

"That's exactly what I said!" chimed a cheerful voice just a ways down the slope of the hill. "I was just telling Amadeus here that I look positively glorious in the morning light. What with all those colours as a backdrop, really I could hardly ask for more."

Cael turned a bright, charming smile up at the young lady. He really was a pretty wolf, too feminine to be considered handsome, though. Unfortunately, the arctic wolf had spent enough time gawking at his reflection on the ice enough to think so himself. "Wasn't I just saying that, Ama?" he asked, turning to the hulking blonde wolf a few feet away.

Amadeus seemed weary already of his brother's antics if the expression on his face was any indication. He ignored Caelestis's question and instead turned his attention up to the young wolf. His dipped his muzzle in a short gesture of greeting before he spoke. "Good morning, Tristesse." His voice was quiet and almost somber compared to the bright and vibrant tones that Cael used.

Although he and his brother were only recent additions to the Voyani pack, Amadeus had made sure to learn the names and rankings of the other wolves in the pack. He had secured for himself a position as general and he took this post very seriously. He would not disappoint his new home.

"Ooh, Tristesse. That's a pretty name. Come and sit with us! Don't mind Ama, he's a stick in the mud." Cael gave a toss of his head as his bigger brother snorted. "Well, it's true. You never cut loose and have any fun. You're always so serious, Ammy. Lighten up, okay! We have a home now. That's what we wanted. Why can't you just be happy?"

"I am happy," Amadeus stated simply. He didn't look particularly happy, though. He wasn't quite scowling but he was just.. very serious, as Caelestis had said. He cleared his throat with a rumble and looked back up at the dark gray female. "I am Amadeus. This is my brother, Caelestis." He wasn't sure if she had heard of them from any of the others or not, but it seemed best to introduce themselves in any case. "I hope the morning finds you well."

"Oh, Ammy you are such a bore!" Cael heaved a theatrical sigh and flopped down onto the cold, iced grass. He rolled from his side over onto his back, wriggling until he found a comfortable spot. His tongue lolled out of the corner of his jaw and he gave a comical grin.

[/center]

[Moon_Song]

((OoC: Mind if I cut in? ))

Ea had been watching from just beyond the hill atop a snow covered outcrop surrounded by trees. A small smile crossed her face as she watched Na'Triste, the youngest member of the pack, enjoy the sun upon the colorful horizon.

She turned as she noticed the two newest members of the pack, Amadeus and Caelestis, appear lower down the hill. Amadeus seemed to be trying to be serious and diplomatic, while Caelestis was...well let's just say Ea had a hunch that he would be one of the Caveras in charge of the pups.

She lay were she was upon the slab of rock and watched. Her expression was light and hinted at amusement. For now, she would sit and observe how her new wolves would take to each other.

[Le Mad]

Tristesse jumped, her ears flattening for a moment at the sound of another wolf, but they perked up once more as she heard the welcoming tone in the wolf’s voice. Her nostrils flared as she intook his scent, realizing that there were two of them, and that they smelled like family. Her tail began to wag furiously as the rather girly wolf rambled on about the sunrise. She didn't even notice her alphess watching them.

They reminded her of her old pack, only a lot more welcoming. They didn’t seem too put off by the fact that she was so much darker than they were. Hell, the only white parts on her body were the crescent moon under her left eye and the sun under her right. The baby blues in her eyes stood out now, with the darkness of early morning still upon them, though the sunset was lighting the sky.

The fae flared her wings for a brief moment, stretching before she began to trot down the slope, heading for the duo. She was greeted by name by the off-white, yellowish male who seemed larger than the other wolf. Her ears flattened as she received this greeting and her tail wagged still. She was excited to know who these wolves are.

Her lithe form was not too far from the boys as Cael complimented her name and invited her to sit with him. She was happy to take him up on the offer, flopping down next to Amadeus. She felt comfortable around these two already. She let a chuckle escape her maw, listening to Caelestis ‘s ramblings. When he flopped onto the ground, there was a broad grin on her face.

“You sure do talk a lot, don’t you?” She asked with a giggle. Her voice rang like a bell in the shrill air, and she glanced to Amadeus. “Where’d you two come from?” She asked, tail thumping very softly on the ground.

[shrinerbaby]

Caelestis and Amadeus

Amadeus dipped his head gently as Tristesse seated herself next to him. A glance at Cael told him that his brother planned on spilling the entire length of their life story and he quickly spoke up to head the pristine wolf off. "Cael and I are from a small, roaming pack far to the north," he explained briefly. It was fairly common for young wolves to break off of their birth pack and to set off on their own. At least it was in these small family packs.

The white wolf gave a theatrical sigh when his brother stole his thunder and seemed to sulk for almost a full minute before he bounced back, reaching over to paw at Tristesse playfully. "See, he's so boring. He couldn't even make the story a little exciting. I would have thown in some adventure and romance! Of course though he wouldn't let me. He's too boring to even want to hear an exciting story."

"I was there, Cael. It wasn't an exciting story. I remember, because you complained of how boring it was until we got here. Tristesse doesn't need you lying to her in the first conversation you ever have." The blonde wolf gave his brother a reproachful look that didn't even make a dent in the other male's demeanor.

"It's not lying," Caelestis argued, "It's just storytelling! And harmless, too. Tristy would have loved to hear an exciting version of our story. Right, Tristy?" He looked up at the young wolf, fully expecting her whole-hearted support.

Amadeus just rolled his eyes and turned his attention back on Tristesse. "How long have you been one of the Voyani?" he asked, sounding genuinely interested in what she had to say. He hadn't noticed the alphess earlier, perhaps because of his brother's constant yammering and the arrival of the dark wolf. He did catch a glimpse of her from the corner of his eye, however, and his ears perked forward as he turned to verify that she was there. He dipped his head in a polite greeting before he turned back to tune into their conversation.

[Moon_Song]

This group certainly was interesting. They spoke politely enough to each other. A good sign indeed. Amadeus especially was proving to be a gentleman. Ea couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle as Caelestis fussed over the story of his and his brothers trip.

The sound was not loud enough to travel, but Amadeus noticed her then. He said nothing, but simply nodded hi head in acknowledgment. Ea nodded back. She wondered how long she could stay here before the other two saw her atop her little stoney outlook above them.

[Le Mad]

Tristesse had assumed that the wolves were from the arctic, as they were brothers and both white, but she hadn't been sure. Amadeus's explaination confirmed this suspicion. Her jaw dropped a bit though she smiled still as Cael ripped on him, calling him boring, and she was about to come to his defense when he explained himself.

Her baby blue eyes found themselves upon Cael once more as he said that she herself would have loved to hear an exciting story, and asked her confirmation. Her ears swiveled backward and she looked at Amadeus and then Cael once more.

"I think it has its own story. Leaves room for imagination." She smiled as she spoke, tail thumping on the ground as she looked at the brothers. She liked them and found herself glad that they were in the Voyani pack. It was then that she noticed the blonde looking toward into the distance before he nodded a greeting. Her eyes followed his, and she found Ea watching them. Her wings began to flare as she moved to sit up to greet her as well.

And then Amadeus asked her another question: How long she'd been with the pack. She tore her gaze away from her alphess to look back at the brothers. It took her a moment to count backward through the months that she'd been there, but she finally settled on an accurate amount.

"I've been with them for oh, around four months. I want to be an Annager." She said with a grin, her tail thumping on the ground again. She turned her head to the side quickly then, looking back at her leader.

"Hello Ea!" She shouted, her tinkle-bell voice pristine in the quiet of the morning.

[shrinerbaby]

Caelestis and Amadeus

The slim white wolf huffed as Tristesse danced around taking a side. Still, she hadn't taken sides with Amadeus, so he could still count this as a win. He grinned that charming, debonair grin of his and pawed at her chest playfully. He still hadn't noticed the alpha, but no one should be too surprised by that. He seemed to be a little oblivious and most of his attention was on the young female.

"Oh! A hunter! That's wonderful! I think you'd be really good at that. The lady serra seemed to think I'd be best placed as a cavera. I think I'd be a mighty annagar though. I'm so quick and agile and beautiful, the prey would just give up and fall at my feet without effort!"

He was cut short when Amadeus, quiet until now, chuckled. It wasn't a sound he often made but the mental picture of a herd of deer just falling over in front of a prancing Cael was too much for him to take. His soft, yellow eyes sparkled with mirth and the corners of his mouth quirked upward just slightly. "If that were the case, Cael, then why was I hunting for both of us for so many years? Regardless, Tristesse. I believe you will be a marvelous annagar. You were quite young when you joined with this pack, so I don't know how much hunting practice you've got under your paws but if you would ever like to go out with me on a hunt, I would be honoured to give you any tips I've picked up."

For Amadeus it was quite the speech and Cael looked almost stunned by it. Of course, by the end of the dialogue, the blonde's face had returned to it's usual somber expression but Tristesse had at least gotten a little peek.

"My word, Ammy! Don't you ever shut up? You just gab on and on and on! It's really rude. Other people want to talk too. And you're all the time preaching about good manners and being a "gentleman" wolf. Take your own advice a little! Honestly!" He stretched out and nipped at his brother's fore paw. He was, naturally, rewarded for a bop on the muzzle with that same paw. "I really don't know how I've put up with him this long, Tristy."

It was then that the winged one craned her head around and shouted a hello. He wriggled on the frosty grass and twisted himself awkwardly to look back and see what was going on. Upon seeing the alpha he flipped himself over and bounded over to the white lady who's pristine coat he thought nearly rivaled the perfection of his own.

"Lady Serra!" he cried happily, throwing himself to the ground next to her and rolled over so that his back was flush against her side. He angled his head back and around to look up at her cheekily. "Good morning!" He nipped at the thick fur around her neck and wagged his tail eagerly.

"I didn't even see you there! So sneaky. I was just telling Tristy how good a hunter I'd be. Are you sure you think I'd be best suited for puppy duty?" At this close proximity, Cael's colder temperature would be noticeable. Not unpleasant, but he did not exude the normal body heat that others would.

Amadeus sighed as he watched his brother then looked back at Tristesse with a shrug. "Might as well join them now, hm?" The blondie rose to his paws with a stretch and a shake and made his way over to the lead female and his brother. He half wondered if he would ever grow up, but knew the answer already: Of course not!

"Good morning," he offered with another dip of his muzzle. He fell back to his haunches near the two and glanced back over to see whether Tristesse would be joining them. He could see no reason for her not to, and he did hope that she would.

[Moon_Song]

A warm smile overtook Ea's face as little Tristesse called out excitedly. In a clear and motherly voice she called back. "Hello Na'Triste." Tristesse was the youngest of the pack, not even a year old. If she disliked the term of affection, she would have to grow used to it until she was older.

At the same moment Caelestis finally noticed where she lay on the rock. The way he bounded over and settled at her side made Ea chuckle. She showed no indication that she felt that this wolf beside her was rather cold either. Caelestis was quite a lively little creature. With his questioning of the position he was placed in, Ea laughed again. "Caelestis, I chose you to be a Caveras because of your energy. You would do well with the pups. If you were an Annagar your boundless enthusiasm might frighten away the prey."

Every word was spoken with a kind-hearted, almost maternal tone that was common with Ea, especially when talking with younger wolves. She did truly think that Caelestis would do well as a Caveras in that he could run endlessly with pups. He would not be the only Caveras in charge of pups, but he would be very helpful for the older wolves who did not have the same vitality.

Ea,not moving from her spot, look up toward where the other two stood. The necklace around her neck shifted and caught a few rays of light, reflecting them prettily for a split second. Ea figured the other two would make their way over shortly.

[Le Mad]

Ea had noticed her, and called out a greeting. The femme thought about going to her, but Amadeus began to speak.

Tristesse found herself growing fonder and fonder of Amadeus's quiet nature as he spoke. It was mysterious, and she was overjoyed when he had smiled. She returned the feature just before it erased every trace from his face. She wanted to make him smile more often.

"I think that's a plan." She grinned, her tail thumping as Caelestis ripped on him again. She found it a little unfair, though it was slightly humorous, that Caelistis was upset with Amadeus for talking.

Tristesse laughed at how... Bright Cael seemed to grow when he noticed their Serra, before he bounded over and began talking to her. The little femme looked at Amadeus as he shrugged, suggesting they join them. He got up and began to walk while the female was stretching, her rump in the air and her claws out before her.

She yawned, shivering before she began to trot at a steady pace toward the three whiter wolves. She felt a little on the odd side, but it didn't bother her. She liked her colors.

She smiled and folded her ears as the blonde wolf looked at her. She dipped her head and crouched to the ground, aiming to lick Ea's slender muzzle, before she backed away and sat down. She would wait until the others finished their conversing before speaking.

"How is your morning, my Serra?" She spoke, radiating respect.

[shrinerbaby]

Caelestis and Amadeus

Caelestis wrinkled his nose as the alpha told him that he'd frighten away all of the prey. He sorely disagreed and he fell into a deep and neverending pout. He rolled away from her and pressed his muzzle to the earth between his paws with a huffed sigh. She might have spoken it kind heartedly but it mattered not. His pride had been fatally wounded beyond all repair.

The blonde wolf did catch the exchange and his brother's withdrawl. He glanced back at Tristesse and gave his yellow eyes an amused, if a bit exasperated, roll. "Come now, Cael. There are many able hunters. It is far more rare to find someone with the qualities that would make them adept at caregiving. Your rank of Cavera is a special honour and you should not forget that."

Amadeus spoke in the same, cool and level manner in which he spoke to everyone, but there was a definite fondness laced in his words. For all their differences in personality, the blonde wolf loved his little brother.

Cael responded almost instantly to the words his brother spoke. His face lit up once more and his tail set to wagging. Really, all it took to manage the small, white male, was to let him think that he was important. His brother had not told an untruth, either. That was something he was unwilling to do. He did, however, speak the truth in such a way that would appeal to his brother. Their years together had taught him this trick. If anyone was to live around Cael, they'd soon learn as well.

"Well, that is true. I am really good with young ones. It is important for them to have someone interested in them around all the time. You know, to teach them stuff and to be their friend. I can probably do that better than anybody. You're so smart, Serra! To have known where I fitted best even before I did!" He wiggled back over to Ea and nuzzled the ruff of her neck affectionately.

With his job of tending to his needy brother acomplished, the general turned his attention back on Tristesse and Ea as they began to speak. He kept himself quiet, as was his way, but he looked and felt comfortable. He was relaxed and at ease and happy, even if his face was frozen in its state of serious neutrality.

[Moon_Song]

Caelestis seemed wounded by her words, but Amadeus stepped in and added on what she had been trying to get at. She smiled and nodded a thanks at the newest Tyran for his help. She looked back toward the newest Caveras as he nudged her neck affectionately. Amadeus new how to word things just so in order to get his brother to accept it. She would have to form this art for herself so that she could better speak to her pack members.

Tristesse spoke then. A well mannered young one to wait her turn. "My morning is going very well, Na'Triste. I was simply admiring how well my pack is getting along." She passed her approving gaze over the three before her. She noted Amadeus' almost stoic posture. He was calm and seemed content. Caelestis acted in his pup-ish way beside her. Tristesse sat, respectful to her elders. Ea was proud of the pack her sister and she had formed in less than a year. And it was still growing!

"And how are you this morning? How is your training going?" She paused a moment as a thought occurred to her. "If you don't mind a little bit of a pushy teacher, my sister-Tyran Darklight-could help you. She can be a bit...abrasive at times, but she was the one that kept us alive for so long before the pack was formed."

[Le Mad]

Tristesse smiled politely at Ea when she responded to her question and the dark fae expressed her happiness at her alphess’s reply of a good morning. Her blue eyes glistened with a puppish sheen as Ea asked about her training. She livened up, as her training was the most important thing in her life at that moment. She had to secure her future.

“My training is coming along well, I suppose. I practiced a bit in the Harukani Outlands for a small while,” she smiled, thinking about those she had meat in the rolling hills of Tandokuno, “But I still haven’t mastered large prey. I’ll get there though. If Tyran-Darklight had the time, I would be honored to be taught by her. Amadeus here has also offered to teach me. I think I’ll take all the training I can get.” She giggled, a little sheepish.

She hadn’t lied about training in the outlands. She had caught a rabbit or two, and even managed to get herself a wild pig, but she did not have the strength to carry it home. She had eaten what she could, and had taken a leg back with her. The leg was buried in the very ground that they stood on.

Tristesse thought for a moment, looking around. She had noticed that Darklight was normally around her Serra at all times, but now the femme who always seemed a little bit angry was nowhere to be found.

“Where is she right now, Serra?” Tristesse said, cocking her head to the side and causing her too-large ears to flop with her head in an almost comical way.

[shrinerbaby]

And after, like, a month of thinking that it was Moon's turn, I realize that it's mine. Herp. I'll get a post going here soon.

[Le Mad]

LMAO. I also thought it was Moon's turn. My bad.