What an Oddly Beautiful Place (open!)

[isuzoofthedesert]

Ahnka, an average sized brown tundra wolf, walked calmly down the shoreline, looking out over the passive waves. She had traveled many miles to find a pack, indeed she had. Yet in all her excitement to smell and hear her brethren in the distance, she had not seen a single other wolf yet.

With a tired sigh, the she-wolf sat down, her golden eyes surveying the horizon. She wondered to herself; what would this group of wolves be like, when she finally encountered them? The only wolves she had ever seen besides her previous pack were small wild packs in the mountains she had traveled through. They had done nothing but watch her from a distance.

A tiny wave reached out and caressed Ahnka's large brown front paw. She gave a soft smile and looked either way. Despite the absence of another, this place provided her more happiness than any of the others she had passed yet. It was quiet and peaceful, with a soft breeze flowing through her fur. The water wasn't cruel, or filled with bugs. It was almost surreal...

Her snout raised to the sky, hoping that the wolf she called meant no harm, and let out a low, long howl. There was nothing left to do except wait.

[Anila]

In the distance there was a long howl that was low. Gabe's tail started to wave, it seemed like forever since he had seen a wolf! He usually is with his pack, but he got lost when trying to help them find the enemy, he finally made it back to Akeru, he hasn't had the time to go back to Shinkou, plus he wanted to explore.

Avi, who rode on Gabe's back in her humanoid form, looked up. Hearing the howl she nodded quickly and jumped off of Gabe. Before she hit the ground she transformed into a ball of water and floated up to Gabe's face. Gabe was a tall wolf reach four feet, his big chocolate eyes glanced at Avi. She had water drops that fell from her, but right when they hit the ground they disappeared, as if they never fell. She was bonded with Gabe, who she now cares for deeply. When it comes to spirits, she is a little younger and still immature. She dropped to the ground on purpose this time and bounced beside beside Gabe.

He looked down at her and chuckled, "She sounds friendly enough, I guess we can go check it out." He lifted his head into the air, giving a short howl in return. He grinned, pricking up his pace, Avi bounced beside him as he made his way towards the other wolf. He wasn't that far from her, when he reached to where the she-wolf was he let out a bark some distance away. The red-orange wolf flattened his ears, plastering on a goofy smile so practiced that no one could tell it was fake, only those who were close to him, like Avi. "Hello![/b" He called out.

[isuzoofthedesert]

Ahnka's attention quickly turned as a returning howl came from the distance. Another wolf! The she-wolf's heart fluttered with anticipation. This would be the first of her own species she met in many years. As the new company arrived, Ahnka couldn't help but give an outright giggle at the oncoming lupine. He looked so bright and goofy! Her tail immediatly began to wag and she stood up, shaking off the sand that had accumulated in her chocolate brown fur.

"Hello! " She greeted in return, beginning to walk in his direction.

[Anila]

"Hello," Gabe panted as they got closer to one another. He gave her a sniff then sat down his tail wagging. His tongue rolled out and he tilted his head to the side. "My name is Gabe! What is your?" He grinned, he didn't introduce Avi because usually only Sho-Un could see the little spirit. She dropped to his side and rolled underneath him. Gabe's tail wagged in happiness.

The she-wolf was actually friendly, Gabe had ran into so many wolves that were hostile because of his size. He was happy to find someone who wasn't right off afraid of him. She seemed nice, and excited to meet him, or maybe just another of her species? He wasn't sure but this wolfess looked like she has been travel battered, he perked his ears, twitching them to the sounds around him. He cast a glance behind him at the ocean. The waves rolled onto the sand then retracted away from them. Gabe always liked water, he liked swimming, it felt like he could fly! He watches Avi beside him fly all the time, he at times can feel jealous, but he also loves his size, he wouldn't want to give that up. He glanced back at Ahnka. In the pit of Gabe's stomach it felt like there was a blackhole, sucking up everything inside of him and leaving nothing but an empty shell of an idiot who smiles all the time.

[isuzoofthedesert]

Ahnka gave a welcoming bow of her head. "My name is Ahnka. Tell me, where do you come from? I seek to be a part of this pack, but yet I have not seen any other wolves besides you." The she wolf turned her head and watched the waves as well. The water in her homeland had been filled with huge snakes, and was unfit to swim in. What would this beautiful liquid have in store? She made a silent promise to herself to swim in this ocean soon.

[Anila]

"It is nice to meet you, Ahnka," Gabe dipped his head smiling. "I am actually in a pack that is allied with this one which is Shinkou, this pack is Akeru, the reason you might not see as many wolves around here is because of the cold season." He chuckled, grinning. "You wish to join a pack?" He perked his ears, his tail wagging. "I would be happy to have you in an allied pack." He paused for a moment, looking at the cold ocean water. His tail wagged slightly. His muscles rippled under his fur as he sat down on his haunches. His deep chocolate eyes that looked black at first glanced traced the sea. So what I thought was right, she hasn't seen any wolves lately. Now that I think about it, I haven't seen that much wolves either.

[isuzoofthedesert]

"Shinkou, huh? And you're from Akeru? Interesting. They are... Allies? What is their cause? What does it take to join?" Ahnka asked, her eyes filled with curiousity. Her former pack had been rather simple, a somewhat large pack for wild wolves, yes, but simple. The only time when they had spoken of other packs was when one of their own was defeated in battle by the enemy.

The she-wolf's thick chocolate fur billowed behind her in the wind. Her attention turned to the landscape around her, besides the sea. the sand seemed to stretch a good long ways, but what was beyond all this? What did the rest of the pack lands look like? How vast was the territory? There seemed to be only one way to find out.

"Can you... take me to the Shinkou?"

[Anila]

"Yes, allies," Gabe smiled. "Their cause..?" Gabe thought for a moment. "I myself, I am not sure, but I think it would be to fight together, live together, and take care after one and another. I don't think it takes much to join, just prove loyal to them." Gabe thought for a moment, as he thought of his past.

'Its your fault! You killed her! With your stupid powers! You killed her!' Gabe's siblings grabbed onto his scruff and shook him. Gabe yelped, and cried. 'I didn't, I swear I didn't!' He looked at his father who was only a zombie, watching his son get torn apart by his own siblings. 'You killed her!'

Gabe was zapped back to reality as he glanced at the femme. 'Can you... take me to the Shinkou?' He smiled, his smile was real this time, genuine. "Sure, I was just heading back there." He dipped his head in common respect. His tail wagged, "By the way, I am rank Sho-Un in my pack."

[isuzoofthedesert]

Ahnka thought over his answer carefully. It sounded like a grand motive. She inwardly felt excitement welling, giving her new life.

Her tail wagged furiously. Yes! She would be able to join them, or no... An instinct within her said instead, to go to their sister pack. But simply meeting the Shinkou would be a beautiful thing. And from there, she could probably find her way to the heart of the Akeru. "Sho-Un? Please explain. I apologize, I am new to all this." Ahnka requested, looking at him with curiousity. This was all so confusing, but she was definitly willing to learn.

This would be a good thing. Amongst these wolves, perhaps she could truly find peace, in some form or another. She silently asked her Goddess to bless and watch over this new friend. No stranger had ever been this helpful, and his cheery grin lifted her spirits.

[Anila]

"Well, hmm... lets see," He thought for a moment, deciding how to explain it. He never was that good at explaining things. He looked into Ahnka's eyes for a second. "Have you ever heard of spirits? Beings that hold a power of the element?" He waited for any recognition from her.

"Sho-Un are wolves that are born without any magical powers, though only in the Akeru and Shinkou pack have I heard of them. Sho-Un are kind of guides for the new spirits, the reason we can guide the spirits is because, well, we can see them, and 'hear' the spirits." He thought for a moment, glancing back at Avi who was bored and started rolling in the sand.

"Generally, spirits have no gender, and no name, but I have named this little one as Avi, it means a beautiful and powerful young one. She has the element of water. As a spirit comes, she is young, though, we have bonded." He grinned. "I guess she really is like a close friend of mine. You will understand more once you get into the pack, I was also very confused at first, before I came." He stood, stretching.

"I can talk about this on the way, if you would like, the land of Akeru is large, and so is Shinkou, it will take a few days journey to get there." Gabe thought for a moment, he loved teaching others new things, but he was just bad at explaining it. "Please, if there is anything you have a question on, feel free to ask." He smiled, his dark chocolate eyes glittering.

((OOC: Gah! I suck at explaining things LOL XD))

[isuzoofthedesert]

Ahnka listened to the male wolf as he explained the nature of the Sho-un. She had heard brief talk of spirits from a couple of the elders in her pack when her own magical powers were first realized, but nothing was explained to her.

"A guide? Interesting. So you have a highly thought of place in the pack, I would expect?" She questioned, attempting to see what exactly he was glancing at. Nothing presented itself, but her sixth sense was going off, so she suspected that one of these spirits was the subject.

She was proved right when she heard the next thing he said. She grinned. "Avi is a nice name. I bet that she's cute!" Ahnka smiled gently.

She got up as well, her eyes willed with energy."Yes, I can understand that. We should probably get going, then. Thank you very much, I am glad you heard me! I had little clue where I was going and I could have run into someone unpleasant. " She shook herself off, and nodded. "I'm ready."

((OOC: No problem! Oh, uh, by the way, when I ask questions like "What is a Sho-Un?" I'm asking as the character. I read everything necessary, so you don't need to worry about making your explanation perfectly clear. ^w^ ))

[Anila]

Gabe laughed, "It is no problem at all, traveling with another wolf will be much better than traveling on my own." The tall smiled, looking into the sky. Avi transformed into her humanoid form and flew onto Gabe's back.

-I never want to leave you...- She seemed sad, her head hanging. -Even if you do guide me where I am to be, I never want to leave you, I love you, Gabe- The male wolf looked back at her. She seemed to be starting right at him. -Gabe..?- The male wolf smiled and mouthed, 'I love you too.' Avi nodded and looked down onto his fur again. She leaned against his fur and fell asleep.

Gabe yawned, his tail wagging, he explained about the pack, and pack rules. He then began to talk about the pack leaders, he explained to her even though he was a member to the back that he knew a lot of people, but none were really friends. "I think that I am talking to you more than I talk to my own pack members!" He smiled. "Ahnka, is it alright if I consider you as a friend?" He tilted his head, his tail wagging.

[isuzoofthedesert]

Ahnka was taken off guard, and she stood silent for a moment. He wanted to be friends with her? But... They had just met... How did he know she wouldn't turn on him? Of course, never in a million years would she do that now, but still. She sighed, perhaps it was her own difficulties with trust that were at fault now. She smiled brightly, and nodded.

"Of course. You have helped me out so much already, it would be rude to deny you as my friend." Ahnka replied. She hadn't really considered anyone a friend since... She stopped her thoughts there. There was no need for unnecessary pain now.

"Shall we go then, my new friend? With all you have told me, I am eagar to meet the others."

[Jayie]

A lone creature, a wolfdog named Mysteria, walked along the ocean's border. She was lightly built, with long, thin legs and small paws. She looked to be a creature unfit to survive in the wilderness. But in truth she had lived on her own in the wild for two years without anyone else's help. Though her step lacked confidence and her eyes were not bold or defiant, she had a will as strong as any wolf.
Mysteria was alone, as always. She looked around, letting out a lonely sigh. For almost her entire life, she had been alone. She longed for nothing more then the companionship of others, the comfort of a family, the simple joy of hunting with a friend. She'd never had anything like that before.
That was why she had come here, to the territory of a wolf pack. For so long, she had been on her own. Then she had found the border of this wolf pack. Any other day, she would have avoided it, wanting to avoid a fight. But on an impulse, she decided to venture into the pack's territory and see if they would let her join, even though she was half dog.
She lifted her head, catching sight of the two wolves conversing a little ways away. A bout of shyness took over her, but she forced herself to walk forward cautiously, trying to hold her curly tail down without much success. She approaced the wolves and said softly, "Hello. My name is Mysteria, and I wish to join the wolf pack in this area. Do either of you know how to get there?" She waited anxiously for the answer.