Solace in company [OPEN]

[Knox]

<sup>Knox looked into the clear waters of the lake with a look of contempt. I suppose this is where they live, he thought, trying not to think about anything excessively. As he gazed into the still water, it mirrored his own image and looked at him with the same condescending gaze as he gave the mocking imitation of his form. Knox gazed into the soulless black liquid of his eyes. I don't know how others will react if I can barely hold my own gaze, he pondered with a slightly defeated mind. They will take one look at me and judge the demon instead of the wolf behind the jet eyes. It's almost inevitable, but that gap between certain and almost is worth trying for. Knox hadn't been near a soul for a year, half of his life. His bones ached for company and reconciliation after a long time of being alone.

He padded along the bank of the water, stopping only to glance around tentatively for any other life around. Knox's unsubstantial limbs could barely carry him any longer, the long walk up to this point took its toal on fragile joints a while ago. Not only physically but emotionally exhausted, Knox slumped onto the floor and began to reminisce on the journey that he had just undertaken. Of course there was a long and treacherous physical trip, but the mental one was more of consequence. As a naturally antisocial being, Knox seeking solace in company was strange indeed. However, the time had finally come to find his place in a pack and to integrate into a true wolf life.

Trains of thought were broken abruptly by the vision of the sky above. Swirls of crimson, sapphire and violet were spun across the sky like a beautiful tapestry which reminded Knox of spirit figures he had been lucky enough to hear about from the estranged former companion of his travels. Knox missed Nephthys more than more than he could ever have imagined. She was the only tolerable being that he had ever encountered, though these were sparse encounters. Reminding himself of this made Knox even more sure about his decision. The only thing to do now was wait for a pack member to come in search of water.</sup>

[MissMetal]

Iris had been wondering around for days, and she had no idea where she was. Hunger and exhaustion had started to take effect on her mind, and was playing tricks with her. Throwing shadows at her, making her recoil. Each time she would have to collect herself before moving on once more. Scared of her own shadow, she felt weak and fell to the ground. Heaving a sigh, she closed her eyes, and concentrated on her breathing, slowing her heart rate down. She had to keep moving. To where? She did not know, but there was only one thing she could think of and that was of her mother who separated ways a few moons ago. 'I wish you were here beside me, you could calm me down in this terrifying world..' Her thoughts raced with memories of the past, the scent of her mother fresh in her mind.

Raising her muzzle toward the sky, Iris noticed that is was acting in a strange behavior. Colours started swirling through the skies, turning them a crimson red. Her blue and green eyes gazed with curiosity and fear, not daring to turn away. Her upper lip curled up, and she growled silently. Not wanting to draw attention. Her tail curled high, resting on her back, she could not lower it for the husky blood that ran though her. She was still lacking on such information, thinking she was all wolf. Her black ears stood high as she listened to the sounds around her, guarding her back for she was concentrated on the skies above. Her hackles on the back of her neck raised, a black mane making her look bigger then she actually was, for she was quite small.

The sound of running water drew her gaze at last. She was really thirsty, and hadn't drank in quite some time. The water smelt sweet, and cool, Iris could almost feel it running down her throat already. Snapping her mind back into being alert she looked around her, and the padded slowly toward the source of the water. Her silvery fur shimmering lightly. She stayed low to the ground, trying not to draw any attention to herself. Her mind was constantly playing with her, and she didn't want to lose to something that was real when she thought it wasn't. Her black curled tail wavered slightly in the air as she crawled toward her current destination. Saliva dripping from her lower lip. Her instinct took all control, she didn't have to think where to go before her front paws were immersed in water. A huge smile appeared across her maw as she snapped back into reality. Comping on the air a few time, she then shoved her muzzle under the water and gorged herself. Unaware of what or who was around.

[Knox]

<sup>As soon as a feeling of complete trance had washed over Knox, it was broken by a steady tread from afar. His ears pricked and he began to feel every individual hair stand on end. This was what he wanted all along but now that it came to the act, Knox didn't know what to do. Fight or flight reactions came into the forefront of his mind and nothing made sense any more except the fact that he had to go on and meet the new stranger.

Knox lifted himself up tentatively from the grass below, each joint aching and groaning like age-old machinery. He took one long, deep breath, savouring every particle of oxygen that passed his lips. The air was sharp and fresh, it gave a welcome shock to a damaged brain. Knox slid his eyelids back ever so slowly and revealed his shallow black eyes. They looked into the distance and made out a wold form in the distance, like none he'd seen before. What he saw was a body of silver fur that seemed to sparkle with the changing sky, teased with pitch black. He instantly took comfort in the black of her mane, his own colour. It could have been a mirage.

Knox walked toward the newcomer at a steady pace, nerves simmering in a huge melting pot of emotion. One paw in front of the other. He made sure that each pad of his paw was loud enough to be hear at a distance, so as not to frighten his comrade. When he was close enough, Knox lifter his muzzle slightly from it's low gaze and opened his maw slightly. No words came. Confusion forced out a cough but nothing more, mixed with a feeble 'Hello?'</sup>

[MissMetal]

The fresh water sprayed around Iris' paws, and it felt welcoming. Bringing her mind back to reality. The crisp, cool water ran down her pink and purple tongue, coating her throat and stomach. It was amazing, and woke her sense right up, making her more aware of the world around her. The scent of a near by wolf filled her nostrils. There were scents of other wolves around, but they were faint. There wasn't any need for concern at this point of time. Only on the strongest scent right right now put her on edge. She hadn't any contact with another wolf since her mother left her a few moons ago.

The hackles around her nape raised again, and at the base of her curled black tail. Her velvety black ears flicked back against the top of her head. Green and blue eyes stared hard into the darkness, trying to see who was coming toward her. It just looked like shadows moving in the darkness. Playing tricks on her mind again, but this time she didn't listen. Something deep inside her said this was no trick, no game that was being played. But she must act, fight or flight. She struggled with herself, growling lowly. Her legs shook, and her pelt raised. Making the little wolf look bigger then what she really was. Finally, her eyes caught sight of the black wolf that treaded toward her slowly.

His body moved like he was worn down and beaten. Slowly, Iris' fur lowered to fit her lean figure. Her ears raised, as the panic to run slowly faded away in her, but she stayed cautious. He looked like he was trying to reach out to her, and she let out a soft whimper before her choked out the word 'hello' to her. Slowly, she raised her head, and her curled tail wagged slowly, continuing to stay rested on her back. She pushed one of her small paws forward, realizing she was still in the water. Stepping out she felt the warmth of the ground compared to the water.

Stepping onto the dry land, Iris padded toward him, slowly. Her tail wagging a little more as her defensive state shut down. She curled her upper lip and smiled a toothy grin at him. "Hello, I am Iris." She spoke softly, quite unsure how the words escaped her lips. She hadn't spoken to anyone in quite a while. Talking was something she didn't do often. Cocking her head to the side, she curiously gazed over his shimmering black pelt. Something seamed off to her about him, but she couldn't place it. Trying to ignore the uneasy feeling, she shook her head, her ears flapping against her head. Still uneasy, she stayed where she was. This type of interaction was strange to her.