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Post by glady on Sept 2, 2006 18:43:41 GMT -6
Koko-Tala was in the depths of the forest now. She quietly padded through, aware of many wolf scents all around. Her white ears twitched nervously at every sound. She knew she was taking a huge risk coming into the forest, into an unfamiliar territory, but she needed a place to stay for the night. In the morning, she would figure out what to do then.
Meanwhile, a pure white wolf was padding through the forest as well, his fur glowing unusually. He paused, scenting the air. He turned his head as Koko-Tala, a whitish-gray wolf emerged from the brush. She froze when she saw him.
"I...I'm sorry. I did not mean to intrude," She stuttered. As she gazed at this male wolf, she could sense he had been through a lot. She could also sense that he used to be of high status somewhere once. And she knew from instinct that he was an unusual wolf, he was nothing like the other wolves she had met on her journeys. But she didn't know if he was from this pack or if he was lost himself.
"Quite all right. I'm lost myself," He bowed his head. He looked around. The territory he was in seemed so familiar, but he didn't know why. He cleared his throat, "Are you looking for a pack to stay in?"
She nodded quietly. He could tell she didn't want to get into detail over it, so he left it alone.
Months ago, he had gone too far in his journey and came across something no one was supposed to see. Something of unusual existance had completely erased his memory. All he was left with were the events after the erasing of his memory and his name. He had struggled to regain his memory, but all he came up with were fragments of his past, which left him confused and wary.
"I'm Koko-Tala," She offered to him shyly. She tilted her head, gazing at him curiously. The two wolves padded through the dark forest together without really meaning to. "Whom might you be?"
"I'm Gladiator," came the short reply.
{OOC: My RPing skills are a bit rusty, but that's ok..}
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Post by Felypsa on Sept 3, 2006 22:27:21 GMT -6
Two new wolves in the forest. Two new lives to take. Two new hearts to devour…
No, no, I must not think that! A massive wolf, one that easily rivaled the former Alpha Male Yueh in size, wrestled with himself. You are not here to torment me! I have control over you, Wraith! I am Fenrir, I am in charge of this body and mind! After much struggle, the great wolf breathed a sigh of short-lived relief. He had conquered the dread spirit within him…for now. He was in control.
Fenrir allowed himself to step from the shadows freely. His fur glimmered with several different colors—gold, brown, tan, white, black, grey all blended together smoothly, creating a pelt that was remarkably multicolored. The huge wolf’s eyes glinted emerald green, benevolent in the light. They emanated kindness and friendliness, for despite this brute’s large size, he was really quite gentle and tender.
Unless the Wraith had him. Then it was an entirely different story…
But Fenrir approached the other two wolves with easy confidence. “Ho, there!” he called out once he neared them. “My name is Fenrir! Are you strangers here? Forgive me, but I recognize neither of you.”
Everything was going well. So far…
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Post by glady on Sept 5, 2006 19:36:00 GMT -6
Gladiator looked up at the massive wolfen who was approaching Koko-Tala and him. He stepped back one pace, but shook his great head and stepped back forward, regaining his composure.
"Greetings," He replied in response, bowing his head. "I apologize if we've intruded, but we are merely looking for a place to stay," His white fur shone eerily. "I am dubbed Gladiator,"
Koko-Tala smiled nervously, "Hello there," She nodded politely. "I'm Koko-Tala,"
Gladiator did not recognize this wolf, as he didn't recognize anyone. The only thing he knew was that the territory he was upon seemed vaguely familiar to him, but he did not know why.
Everything was all new for Koko-Tala, however. She was nervous of Fenrir, and stepped back cautiously. There was something about this wolf, but she couldn't quite place her paw on what it was.
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Post by Felypsa on Sept 5, 2006 19:43:19 GMT -6
Fenrir noticed the one who called herself Koko-Tala shrink back a little from him. Oh, she senses, he thought sadly. She’d never even believe me if I told her the truth. She’d never trust me…and why should she? Why should anyone? Nevertheless, he maintained his friendly smile. “Gladiator, Koko-Tala, welcome,” he said cheerfully. “You’ve come to the lands of Shinkou Ookami, which means Night Wolf. This is our impressive Shinkou Forest.”
Everything was under control. Fenrir fell in beside the one called Gladiator, since Koko-Tala seemed wary of him. “So, where are you headed? Do you have a particular destination in mind, or are you just wanderers?” He hoped they would not, at least, shun him. He was really a kind and benevolent wolf at heart. And he was in control at the moment. Really.
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Post by glady on Sept 6, 2006 19:26:32 GMT -6
Gladiator also noted Koko-Tala's response to Fenrir and decided to ignore it for now.
He felt some weird sensation in the pit of his stomach when Fenrir said "Night Wolf." He paused, wondering why, and then shook his head again.
"I'm not sure where I'm headed. I do want to settle into a pack. Perhaps here could work out," He pointed his muzzle toward the grounds.
"As am I," Koko-Tala replied, swallowing her fear and smiling nervously. "I'm sorry if I seem a bit jumpy, please forgive me. It's been so long since I've been in a pack territory, and it's all akward for me."
Gladiator tilted his head. "Are you a member of Shinkou Ookami, Fenrir?"
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Post by Felypsa on Sept 7, 2006 15:51:26 GMT -6
Fenrir nodded, smiling kindly at both wolves. They were similar, even though Gladiator was almost ancient and probably as wise from all the years he’d lived, while Koko-Tala was young, jittery, and anxious. What they had in common was a desire to belong, a desire which Fenrir was well acquainted with, a desire never fully fulfilled.
“Since you are looking for a pack, I’m willing to bet Shinkou Ookami is the place,” he said ever friendly and jovial. “You’re sure to fit in and settle down. I…” he faltered, unsure whether he could count himself as a “member.” Does it could to be a member if no one knows you exist, and if you are only a threat to everyone else who lives? He smiled. “I suppose you could call me a member, since I have been in this place for quite some time. I’m not the most sociable wolf, however.”
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Post by glady on Sept 7, 2006 19:01:24 GMT -6
Gladiator smiled. "I do hope this pack is most fitting to the two of us," He was wary, but knew better than to not to show it. Koko-Tala, on the other hand, wasn't afraid to show her emotions freely.
"I just want to settle in and not do any more of this ridiculous traveling for a while, if ever," Koko-Tala said simply.
"These pack grounds seem vaguely familar, though I cannot place a paw onto why," Gladiator remarked, tilting his head. "I wonder if I have been here previously, a long time ago." He glanced at Fenrir, "I'm sorry, I'm going off track again. Care to show us around so we can get a sense of where everything is located?"
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Post by Felypsa on Sept 8, 2006 14:41:41 GMT -6
Fenrir looked at Koko-Tala and smiled a little sadly. “I know the sentiment,” he replied. “I have not done any ‘ridiculous traveling,’ as you so termed it, in a long, long while. There is something about this place that just makes you want to stay…” He sighed, staring off into the distance. When Gladiator made his request, however, he snapped out of his reverie and nodded to them both.
“It is huge,” he warned. “I could show you only parts of it until night fell, and we still wouldn’t have covered all the ground. In all the time I’ve been here, I haven’t been everywhere!” He laughed and shook his head. “But come. I will show you the niches of the forest we’re in…the bamboo forest…and the mainlands, where the wolves congregate for various reasons. Come along.” He changed direction, trotting ahead of them, weaving easily through the trees. He obviously knew the forest well.
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Post by glady on Sept 8, 2006 19:29:00 GMT -6
"Yes, the traveling is quite bothersome after a while," Koko-Tala agreed. "Especially when creatures like ourselves mostly don't like to be alone. I do hope to find my place in this pack and be welcomed."
Gladiator smiled, glancing at her briefly before saying: "That would be fantastic. It's all right if you don't show us the whole territory. I'm sure we will stumble across some unexplored territory one of these days and marvel at the beauty of it,"
He nodded at Koko-Tala, who smiled and nodded back, cautiously.
"Do most of the members of the pack congregate in special spots or are they just exploring and making use of their time in the pack?" She decided to quell some of her curiousity.
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Post by Felypsa on Sept 9, 2006 16:50:57 GMT -6
Creatures like ourselves don’t like to be alone. Fenrir found that supremely ironic. He of course didn’t like to be alone—why else would he stay in such a populous pack?—but sometimes he didn’t have a choice. He refused to think on it. “You are welcome,” he informed Koko-Tala. “The wolves here are…kind. Too kind, almost.” He gave a faint smile and resumed his leading walk.
He paused only when Koko-Tala spoke again, asking her question. “It depends,” he said hesitantly. “Every wolf has his or her own agenda. If they have free time, as we often do, they will certainly explore this vast territory to their satisfaction and meet new wolves. There are so many that there is always someone you don’t know. I have heard,” he added, “that the Alpha is attempting to separate this enormous pack into smaller clans. That has not happened yet, it is only a rumor.” He tossed his head briefly, an equivalent of a shrug.
“Look, ahead of us,” he said softly, indicating with his snout. “The fascinating border where traditional forest becomes bamboo.” Indeed, before them, the steady wooded trees gave way to tall bamboo stalks, and though the weather was not changed, it seemed more pleasant and peaceful. A small creek wound its way through the bamboo trees, filled with all sorts of colorful small fish. Fenrir smiled. “One of the nicer places in all of Shinkou,” he said quietly, awe filling his voice.
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Post by glady on Sept 9, 2006 20:54:46 GMT -6
"Must be nice to meet others and become aquainted with the pack," Koko-Tala said wistfully, gazing at the view in front of her. She glanced at Fenrir, "Smaller clans how? Like, small packs within a larger pack?"
They stopped at the spot where the bamboo stalks rose high and majestically.
"Wow. Beautiful," Gladiator remarked. "Is it normal that the forest gives way to being a whole different form of vegetation?"
Koko-Tala smiled at the sight. "Do many wolves venture out to these parts?"
Gladiator gazed down at the creek at the brightly colored fish swimming along in it and was amazed at how peaceful and serene it was. He looked up at the tall bamboo shoots in front of him and marveled at the beauty of the whole place.
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Post by Felypsa on Sept 10, 2006 11:36:28 GMT -6
Fenrir let out a laugh. “So many questions you demand of me! Let me see if I can answer them all.” He smiled and addressed Koko-Tala first. “I suppose that is the main idea of the clans,” he said thoughtfully. “But, like I said, it is only a rumor. Truthfully, I believe this great pack will always remain the way it is…wolves from all over commingling with one another. Many wolves,” he added, responding to her second inquiry, “do come here on occasion, but not in large groups. Mostly the Forest of Bamboo is used as a place to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. I have often escaped here too, and have rarely encountered another soul. Lovers, I have heard, also like to liaison in the Forest of Bamboo.” He smiled fondly as he admired the wondrous place.
“I have never seen this kind of borderline vegetation before,” Fenrir confessed to Gladiator. “I can only assume it is simply one of the miracles that reside within Shinkou Ookami. I am grateful for it, for it not only provides a space to be alone, it is also a magnificent sight to behold. I have stopped questioning how it is possible, and am simply appreciative of its existence.” He paused a moment while the two wolves drank in the sight before declaring, “Let us venture in, shall we?” Without waiting for an answer, the massive wolf entered the different forest, sighing in pleasure as he passed the babbling brook.
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Post by glady on Sept 10, 2006 17:29:33 GMT -6
Koko-Tala smiled. "I'm sorry, I think we're just curious about it all." She tilted her head at Fenrir and giggled. "I do like the idea that if you venture here you won't be bothered much,"
Gladiator grinned. "Yeah, I guess we are a bit curious." He looked at all the bamboo stalks, "It is strange to see something like this residing in a place like this. I have heard from dogs while I was traveling that they have seen these types of vegetation far far away, on another continent. I was hesitant to believe them, as I have never seen it. But from their descriptions of the vegetation, I do believe this is what they were referring to." He paused, "I guess many things just happen, and there simply is not an explanation for it."
He smiled and nodded as they started walking deeper into the forest, taking in all the sights around them. He had already made up his mind that he was going to stay here and perhaps find a place to belong. He glanced over at Koko-Tala and wondered if she was going to stay as well.
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Post by Felypsa on Sept 13, 2006 15:38:05 GMT -6
Fenrir smiled and said, “Do not apologize! Curiosity is not a crime.” Pride, on the other hand, he thought grimly, is one of the worst crimes. He lapsed into a thoughtful silence, falling in step beside Koko-Tala and Gladiator. The beautiful stalks had no magic for him now, much as he admired them. They were the glaring daggers of irony in a place he didn’t belong.
With that thought, he began to back away. “I do believe,” he said to his companions, maintaining his polite friendliness, “that you have seen enough of the pack as of now. I shall leave you to make your choice. If you would wish to explore more, I am sure you will run into some other wolf who is willing to acquaint you with the land. I take my leave of you.” He bowed his head and walked briskly from the Forest of Bamboo, back in the Shinkou Forest proper. He hoped they wouldn’t be suspicious.
The Wraith was calling him now…he had to fight It…why did I greet them? he thought angrily. Of course they would awaken It to Its eternal hunger! Fenrir had made a mistake. He had made many fatal ones. Fatal for others, not for him. But every time the Wraith killed someone with his own bloodied claws, he felt the blame, felt it devour him from the inside…
He began to run away from the Forest of Bamboo, as if running away from a fire.
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Post by glady on Sept 13, 2006 18:00:00 GMT -6
Gladiator frowned and tilted his head curiously. "I wonder what's up...?" He remarked.
"I don't know," Koko-Tala shrugged, feeling confused as well.
Gladiator shook his head. "Well, I've decided to stay. Have you made up your mind yet?" He glanced at Koko-Tala.
"Yes. I've decided to stay as well. It's a beautiful pack, everything is just so serene and peaceful." She said softly. It wasn't like she wanted to go traveling anyway. Besides she had made a friend, something she hadn't done in quite the longest time.
Gladiator nodded, but his mind was elsewhere. It was on Fenrir. Curious character he was. He had left them so quickly to fend on their own in this unfamiliar territory.
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