Winter Outings

[zury]

The afternoon air was cool, almost cold, even though it was in the midst of summer in the great peaks. The snow had cut off for the moment, grey clouds rolling lazily across the sky with promises of more snow to come. Sometimes, the sun came out to play hide and seek, but stayed mostly hid behind the fluffy, cotton-candy like clouds.

He stood on the edge of one of the many cliffs, looking downward at the abyss. His white pelt blended in with the snow covered ground, a perfect camouflage for unsuspecting prey. His cave was not too far away. It wasn't like he didn't have a pack, just chose not to run with one. Plus, many didn't like to venture up this high. Prey was sometimes scarce, if not gone except for maybe mountain goats...

Wings were folded against his soft furry back, feathers hanging gracefully off the sides. A slight click was heard as a silver chain housing an icy blue crystal in the shape of a snowflake. Lighter eyes watched the dark abyss with interested eyes, watching as snow fell off the cliff into it. He turned back around, going toward his cave where it was nice and warm.

[Aveilthé]

The mountains were indeed grand. Most could not exceed to the top, due to so much pressure. But what dwelled in the snow capped mountains were some of the most amazing creatures to have ever existed. The Eagles. They were massive in sight, and amazing to see. Though, to lay eyes on one, is somewhat rare, for the giant-eagle species were dying out, due to hunting and trapping them, or killing them for their giant, scintillating feathers that most would simply kill for.

From the jagged peaks, perched upon one of the many snow-blanketed boulders, dwelled that of a rather old-looking eagle. It was quite the giant, indeed; a good ten feet to it's fuzzy white head to it's fanned tail. It was not a simple bald eagle. It was a pure white eagle, and a handsome one, too; which what seemed to have a lethal-looking, curved beak and finely honed talons that could cut deep into flesh. These talons, however, merely curled over the boulder it was clutching, the cutting tip of each talon cutting into the boulder.

This eagle was preening it's feathers, along with its fellows. Among the eagles, they were speaking to eachother. This particular one, however, stayed quiet, though his affable sharp gaze cut across to the far distance every time he looked up - his eyesight was remarkable, as an eagle's eyesight should have been. Unlike most of the fellowship, he saw something the others did not - a creature, and a wolf, no doubt - dissapearing amidst a cave of some kind. The eagle twisted his head, in such a way that wolves could never do. Eagles can do such. It was a sign of curiousity, if one couldn't tell. A smile seemed to be playing about his lips. It wasn't the first time he had seen a wolf on these parts. Yet, he did nothing, except often ruffle his glistening, well-kept wings, and blink his sharp golden eyes as he watched the wolf from his perch.

[zury]

As he entered the cave, he smiled slightly at the warmness of it. But something was wrong. Frowning, he realized that he had ran out of meat. He sighed. That meant he'd have to go hunting again. Last time he saw the goats they were going up higher in the mountains. Maybe he should follow. He stepped out of the cave once more, getting ready to make a trek to find the goats and get some meat.

Luckily it wasn't snowing outside, but it looked like it would soon. While I'm out, he thought, I might as well have fun. He spread his wings. Why walk when you can fly, and started the journey upwards. Hopefully the goats hadn't gone too high, or else he might not be able to reach them. He dared not go to the top. He'd heard things, like that there were creatures up there, winged creatures, bigger than him and could probably eat him...

[Aveilthé]

A kind of a shrill whistle was issued as his sharp eyes watched the little fellow walk away from it's sanctuary. Golden eyes blinked as the wolf spread it's own wings, and take flight over the mountains - perhaps to hunt the many goats that dwelled around here. And as the wolf was flying, a sudden thrill grasped the heart of this giant bird, which caused him to rustle anxiously, and spread his own wings.

His wings were truly magnificent. Spanning at least twenty feet on each side, and perfectly wide and graceful to see... But as the wind caught hold beneath his wings, he felt himself rise, and with a gigantic flap and a rustle of feathers like the leaves of a tree, he was in flight. Soon he left the peaks, and was gliding peacefully, and silently, over the other peaks, that looked so small to him, but were certainly elephantine in length, and very dangerous. But an idea soon occured to this eagle as he tucked his lethal talons.

With another flap, he dived silently down the sea of mountains, to which he instantly spotted the snow-white wolf among the other snow, with his sharp eyes. The wolf was, indeed, flying, and being at least a many good hundred feet below him, the giant eagle would cast his great eagle's shadow down upon the unsuspecting wolf.

[zury]

He instantly dropped to the ground which he was above, eyes searching for the owner of the shadow. It looked like a bird from where he had seen above the ground. Perhaps it was hunting him? He crouched close to the snow, hoping it would be his friend and hide him from the giant bird. Usually it worked on goats, making hunting a lot easier than if he were a different colored wolf.

He stayed still, letting his wings still stay spread. They were tiny compared to the eagle's wings, but they were good enough for him. Feathers were missing here and there from various accidents. Maybe a goat had stomped on them, or when going through some of the prickly plants they had gotten ripped off after being caught. That was probably the worst way to get them plucked.

[Aveilthé]

The eagle stayed silent, for he knew that the wolf was hunting, and in his heart he felt terrible for ruining the creature's hunt.

And by this attitude, it was only obvious that he wouldn't harm a wolf, for wolves and eagles alike were usually old allies, but long forgotten as the many hundreds of year passed by.

But something happened, that the eagle did not think about. This wolf, being white, had a coat that could blend in so well with the snow. The Eagle could only spot the moving (or flying) outline of this wolf, and when the wolf halted (or, as the wolf had done, dropped to the ground), the Eagle knew no more. A kind of a confused expression crossed the eagle's sharp gaze; for even the eagle's eyes cannot find something that could blend in with the snow so well.

Thus, as silent as a small bat, the eagle pointed his sharp beak downwards, and dive in a circle, tilting his wings like a plane's. Yet, he called a shrill whistle, but in a different tune: he can speak the language of the Wolves, or the beast-talk.

"Little wolf" he sang, in a deep and eerie, rumbling voice, "I have not seen a wolf fly so high. Let alone one in so long."

[zury]

The hairs on the nape of the wolf's neck stood up. The eagle had seen him. How careless he had been. But then, as the voice spoke to him, he lifted his head up to look for the eagle. He had to be close if he could hear his voice, or maybe it was just that loud. Maybe he didn't mean any harm, he surely didn't sound like it. Slowly he stood up, shaking some snow from his fur, the chains for his amulet ringing slightly as they hit each other.

He folded his wings neatly behind him and sat down, his tail wagging in the snow, acting like a broom as it swept back and forth over the white blanket. He found no reason to keep going, it seemed as if he would have company soon. His furried ears stuck up and tilted slightly, trying to catch anymore sound.

[Aveilthé]

As movement shifted below, the eagle instantly spotted that little wolf. "Ah...," he sang, gliding just above the sea of snow, and soon stretching forth his talons towards the earth, as if he were fishing at a lake and were about to grab some kind of fish from within. But he did not, of course; it was simply just snow, and he was quickly approaching the wolf as he was landing. A large upright stone came into view at that moment, and instead of landing upon the surface of the snow, he perched himself upon the tip of it. Wings were still stretched high above him, but the moment his talons touched the stone, he sent them forward once, then soon he dipped his large head, ruffling his body, and folding his wings neatly at his sides, just as the wolf had done.

"I bid thee welcome to our mountain," he began, in that eerie voice of his. His tough lips seem to curl upwards on his shiny golden beak. "Did I say our mountain? It is just as yours as well as it is mine: and all who dwell within it, I say." He paused, blinking at the wolf. "What is a lone wolf like yourself doing within the dangerous peaks of the mountain?" The Eagle did not mean to be impertinent; more so, there was more concern in his voice than anything.

[zury]

One thought ran through his mind; that bird is big, no, huge.

He blinked slightly, shaking his head and staring at the eagle. At first, his words only went in through one furry ear to another. He had never seen a bird of this size and was definitely amazed. All the little birds he had ever seen were like a speck of snow on the ground compared to this one.

Finally after a few moments, he realized he had been asked a question. "I like the company of the mountains than of my fellow wolves." he told the eagle silently. He looked up at the sky as the sun came out once more, rays making his amulet shine brightly.

[Aveilthé]

The Eagle nodded his large, feathery head, but only twice, it seemed. But as he spoke, again, he would always weigh each word as if it were precious and old.

"You are one of the few with a very stout heart, little wolf, to be livin' in mountains like these," he stated bluntly, rolling his head to the side, and still gazing at the wolf with those golden eyes. "Even one with wings. I have never seen a wolf with wings before. Indeed. I have heard of such tales when I was merely a eyrieling... of how the first Eagle gave the first Wolf the gift of wings." He'd then pause, and grin his eagle-smile. "But that, is simply a myth."

Again, the eagle paused, his face leering at the wolf as if he were amused to see him, but to read the eagle's expressions, would immedietely comprehend that they have perceived wrongly.

"It is good to be alone some times," crowed the Eagle wisely, "but in times of peril, the use of an ally is good, too. We Eagles prefer to be alone, as well, little wolf. Though we usually bond together, for we never know when the Enemy may want to corrupt us all."

[zury]

"You are wise in your years,"the wolf commented after listening to all the eagle had to say. "Or you are just wise for your age."he stated after a moment's pause. He looked around at the land around them. "There seems to be few enemies here, so I do not worry much. And I hope that you are not one of my enemies.he seemed to raise a brow, tail twitching back and forth.

He turned his head sharply as he heard the sounds of goats not too far off. Maybe it was a good thing the eagle had stopped him. He could see little outlines of them as the young played happily in the snow while their parents tried to graze on the little plants that grew.

[Aveilthé]

"Wise?" he muttered, looking sternly upon the wolf. "Not wise enough, I say. Even the wisest are foolish sometimes." Soon, the Eagle fell quiet, for he too spotted the many goats along the mountainside. "I am sorry," he said quietly, shifting slowly on his perch, "I've noticed that I've interrupted you in your hunt. I will leave you to hunt, if that is what you want to do."

And the Eagle did not move.

[zury]

"I did not mean to insult you. Rather, it was a complement."he quickly apologized for his rudeness to the higher creature. He watched the goats with interest. "Perhaps you would like to join me?"He offered the eagle, turning back to watch him, hoping the goats would stay there for a while longer.

[Relairah]

OOC: Hope you guys don't mind if I join in! ;D

IC: Another form moved along through the lands, blanketed in a white covering. Her face showing that of weariness, her body tired from travel. Though, despite these things, her movement was quite graceful, her gait easy as she trotted along. Her round, white head was held high, on a well arched slender neck. Large ears were also held high, listening carefully for intruders or new-comers. Her muscled shoulders were slumped slightly, but tried to remain strong as they carried her slender limbs that moved back and forth in that pumping motion that carried her along. A well rounded body, she had, though her ribs could now faintly be seen, pressing against her skin as she had not eaten in a while. Her long, slender tail simply drifted behind her like a flag that droops when there is no wind to lift it. A rather large clump of velvet soft feathers rested on either of her sides, and from them came long wing bones that held many long, soft, white feathers that rippled about. Crystal blue eyes gazed about with wonder at her surroundings. Snow thickly covered her dazzling white pelt, which was hardly noticeable except to those who saught for it.

Tongue lulled drily, panting with thirst and weariness. Sides heaved in and out with each breath taken, though she liked the air as it was cool and crisp, and it cleared her aching mind. Maw was outstretched as nose constantly sniffed the air for smells of anyone besides herself. She had traveled very far, searching widely. She also had always had a great love for adventure and such, and she loved exploring places she found. Her mind driffted to countless things about her travels and dreams, and ideas of other places she would find. Snow clung to the branches of all the trees and bushes about her, and she was thankful that at least she had a pelt that would aid her, should she the need to hide from dangerous eyes, in this snow covered lands.

Her ears twitched as she heard voices, and she moved her head swiftly towards the direction from where the sounds were coming from. They sounded friendly and welcoming, though she could not be too sure. She crouched down, keeping herself low to the ground, and easily began to crawl towards them, crystal blue orbs pearing about curiously. She ignored her growling stomach, and continued to move fowards.

She soon reached her destination, though she kept to a distance so as to merely watch. She was fasintated at what she did see, and hearing every word of the sounds that came from their vocals, she licked her chops in delight. She gazed intently at the eagle with awe, wanting to examine him closer. She then looked at the wolven, whom she wondered about. She wondered if she should just pop out or keep hidden. She shrugged, but yet remained where she was, pearing at them and lying perfectly still.

[Aveilthé]

OOC: No, I guess. o.0

At this point, the giant Eagle burst forth a booming laugh. "Insult me? We eagles are very proud. If we were insulted, it would have been dire, very dire indeed... You needn't worry, little wolf, you are a friend to us." Croo-ing, he'd jerk his bushy head towards one of the peaks below. He could have sworn that he had seen something, but perhaps it was simply a goat of some kind, creeping along the path. But the wolf's voice brought him back to his senses. Upon listening, he of course ruffled his white feathers in an emediate response, shifting once more upon his jagged perch, talons clicking like ominous teeth against bone.

"No, little wolf, this is very much your hunt, thus I will allow you to do what you need to do. For your sake, I will sit still, and watch. Indeed, to hunt for you is unfair, or even with you. We eagles do not hunt for others, or with others of a different specie."

The giant Eagle did not mean an offense, and he'd look at the wolf appologetically. Eagles of his kind were good-nurtered, but kept to themselves mostly. It was their way...