-Frozen like a Popsicle-

[Mama Z]

There was nothing here.

Absolutely, positively nothing here.

It was so..so...BORING.

Zoicite couldn't believe she had wandered out this far. And for what? For nothing! The white and caramel color wolfess stopped walking to look around the dead, frozen lands. Who was she kidding? Of course she knew what was up here. She had heard stories, had had foreigners explain how hard it got out here alone. And that's what she was, alone. Her ears flattened as the realization was starting to settle in on her again.

She was alone now. He hadn't been around as he had said he would. He was her mate. He should still be there for her. Not just gone with the wind. He disappeared out of no where. She had went looking but he was gone. Maybe he had gotten disturbed and buggered off. But why? Had it been something she had done?

She would never know till he showed up and there was no telling how long that would be. Letting out a sigh, she turned to begin the long journey back toward Akeru. Maybe she would run into someone on the way. Then again, maybe she wouldn't.

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[Ragnar Fenris]

He had skirted the packlands; so as to avoid conflict with the pack wolves. He had entered the frozen wasteland, so as to avoid a sudden storm to the south. He had been staying in a small cave for the last four days, only now deciding to leave and head south once more. The massive black wolf moved with a swift-footed speed, lent to him by his massive webbed feet, that kept him atop the deep drifts he encountered. He headed further and further south, until a scent reached his nose. A Female. A Pack Female. Perhaps this would be a chance to enter Akeru lands. He had spent time with some smaller packs, in the border lands, exchanging stories for a safe place to sleep.

He sped up, hurrying to catch up, determining by her scent that she was leaving. As he got closer he lowered his tail to an acceptable level and kept his ears forward. He would not act afraid, nor would he be aggressive. He approached slower as the distance closed. He circled slowly, moving so the wind would bring his scent to her, that he might avoid startling her.

[Mama Z]

She was making her way around the area. Bouncing on snow mounds and watching them flatten. Zoi was trying her hardest to entertain herself on this long journey. But with all things even that got boring after a while. Sighing, she started to move forward with more of a purpose. Her steps slowed though as she inhaled, catching wind of something. Her tail flickered slightly and she slowed.

Wide caramel eyes looked around, trying to find the one who had alerted her. Of course it wasn't hard to see the black dot and she lifted a brow. He could be friendly or not, but if he weren't no doubt he wouldn't just let his presence be known. Her tail gave a wag and Zoi let out a small bark, acknowledging he was there.

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[Ragnar Fenris]

Upon learning his presence had been acknowledged he approached. His gait was steady, his breathing left strange puffs, like fog, in the air. Although most might think it normal, the fog breath held itself far longer than it should have, indicating that it was anything but normal. When he was just a few feet away he sat, allowing her the first move. He considered it rude to simply rush up and start 'sniffing around' as his grandmother had put it, especially with females. Some of them were very mindful of their personal space.

"I am Ragnar Fenris, or just Fen if you like. I caught your scent a while back, I was hoping you might introduce me to your pack, that I might have a peaceful nights sleep, without threat of attack from one of the less honorable creatures that roam about. I can offer stories of old times and of forgotten heroes in exchange." His eyes danced with a false light of happiness, his posture spoke of a happy go lucky wolf with nothing but good intentions, even though, in all reality, he was a lonesome beast who barely had any reason to keep existing other than a dim hope. A hope of what he did not know, only that it was hope.

[Mama Z]

He approached and Zoi was trying her hardest to be patient. But that meant she was shifting from paw to paw, staying in one place. The closer he got the more her tail wagged. Soon he was sitting in front of her and she was looking him over curiously. She didn't even notice the breath coming from him, how it seemed to stay longer in the air. Such little things were trifle to her.

He sat down and gave him an introduction and she laughed at his story. 'I love stories! But they have to be short. I get distracted easily.' Understatement of the year. 'My name is Zoicite. Most call me Zoi though. And actually Im a few days out from my pack.' She shifted again, 'I got bored and came out here.' She looked around, 'Its pretty boring here too.'

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[Ragnar Fenris]

"You are an impatient one, quick to be pulled away by the fluttering wing of a sparrow, or the passing shadow of a hawk. This will prove valuable to you in hunting and fighting. I assure you, even the most energetic pup can remain entranced by the stories I tell. Especially since I can do this." He raised a paw and the image of a massive bear loomed behind him, the image wavered like a reflection on the waters surface, yet seemed real enough. The bear quickly spread its paws and turned into a tiny herd of tiny deer they ran through a tiny forest, chased by a pack of tiny wolves. The illusion swirled and drifted away as he released the magic.

[Mama Z]

She wrinkled her nose. She wasn't impatient. She just didn't care half the time to pay attention, big big difference. She was almost starting to tune him out, her ears flickering back in forth. Then he held up his paw and the bear appeared. She looked at it, sparkling eyes blinking wide for a moment. Then it was gone and she looked back to him.

'Woha.' Was all she could really say to that. Woha indeed.

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[Ragnar Fenris]

"That sounds about right. And even though, no, I don't read minds, There is little difference between impatience and not wanting to pay attention. Even if there seems to be. I've met wolves like you before. With time you'll learn that paying attention can lead to amazing things. Perhaps that one white rose among the many red may appear just another oddity, but then again." He sent a flurry of snow into the air creating yet another illusion, a white rose blooming to reveal a tiny winged wolf, nestled snugly into the flowers bowl. The tiny wolf was an exact replica of the white and caramel wolf that stood before him with white wings that were tipped in caramel.

"Sometimes, waiting can bring us of the greatest of joys. Even though I am not much older than you, if at all, I learned also that paying attention to everything from beginning to end can save your life. It also showed me the line for my stories." The tiny white wolf took off, landing atop his black head, placed between his silver ears.

"The young white she wolf spread her wings for the very first time. The wind beneath her wings felt like nothing she had known before, yet deep within her there was a longing, a sad, loneliness that cut like the sharpest rock. Her eyes were clouded with the joy of flight, and yet were misted with the sharp pain of heartache deep in her chest." He was no fool, he had picked up on her scent before, she reeked of sadness. Even if he was young, he still knew what heartache was. After all he was a Loner for a reason.

[Mama Z]

Zoi watched the picture he was showing and the more she watched, the more she hated it. She hated the truth in it. Her eyes moved from his image to his face. After a moment, she gave a snort and stood up, 'Too long; didn't listen!' She purposely pounced on a snow mound, rolled in it then bounced back up. 'Come on. My pack lands are this way.' She motioned with her head. 'Keep up if you can, Goofy.' There was just one subject she wasn't about to broach with a stranger and with observant he seemed to be, she was going to have to be on closer guard of her emotions.

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[Ragnar Fenris]

"You and I are something alike. We've both been in hurt. You don't even want to listen to me do you? I'm sorry if I touched on a sensitive subject. In exchange, would you like to know something from me?" He followed. He had realized only too late that he had spoken to quickly. He did that sometimes, he never meant to be insensitive, but, he often ended up doing so anyway.

[Mama Z]

She stopped as he pointed out the painfully obvious. She looked back to him. 'Listen. You're a stranger in my life. What's going on with me is my own business. And no, I don't want to know what's going on with you.' As much as her curiosity would want to know, she couldn't do that to him.

She forced a smile, 'Lets just keep going. Everything else forgotten.'

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[Ragnar Fenris]

"Forgotten then." He followed, is she asked though, he would tell her. He felt truly horrible about what he had done, even if he hadn't intended to do it. He would apologize in the best possible method, he would tell stories to her and her pack, he would weave tales so intricate they left after-images in the form of dreams filled with adventure and fantasy, heroes and villains, demons and gods.

[Mama Z]

He left it at that and she looked at him for a moment, staring real hard before suddenly cheering up. A bright and wide smile on her face. 'Cool!' Tail went back to wagging and she started to trot off again. 'So didja like it up here?' She asked, 'I didn't. Its too cold. Though I do like playing in the snow. Its fun. Just wish it weren't so cold.' Yup, thats her theory at least.

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[Ragnar Fenris]

"Did I...enjoy it? I didn't hate it, but, it's lonely here." He kept pace easily, his massive paws catching the snow and keeping him aloft even in the deepest drifts.

"I have to admit, this time around I at least met with a pretty she wolf, usually I run into males who don't like the idea of competition. Of course they shouldn't worry, and neither should you. I have much to do in my life and love has no place in my life as of this moment." Where on this green earth had that come from?!

[Mama Z]

He was in the same boat as her. It wasn't the greatest, wasn't the worst. Then came his next comment and she lifted a brow at it. He was rambling in a way and she gave a snort. 'Thanks for the compliment.' And she was genuine. She knew she was pretty. The glittery shimmer on her white pelt just stuck out, not to mention the lovely caramel color she had. She wasn't vain, but nor was she modest.

She gave a grin, 'And don't worry, Im done with that crap too.' Far from done. Twice burned she was through with it. She turned and as if the conversation never happened turned to pounce on another snow flurry.

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