Frozen Hearts

[Deleted]

Snow drifted idly through the murky air, tracing crazed paths in the freezing atomosphere. Jagged shadows rose dangerously on either side of the reclusive mountain pass, rocky crevasses dimpling the otherwise snow-laden surfaces. The muffled thud of falling clumps of snow sounded distant, like a failing heartbeat. The smooth surface of the snowcover was broken only by a scattering of pawprints, wolf and other creatures who had stumbled upon the uknown corridor between two large cliffs. Presently it was occupied by a solitary canine, slender form slipping between boulders with ease, wide paws supporting his minimal weight. His coloring was too strange for him to be classified as a normal wolf, the hues being a mixture of icy tones, blues, whites and grays, brindled into each strand as if his entire body was made of ice. Against the pure white of the snow, the adult male looked much like a wolf-shaped iceberg, drifting. His cerulean eyes were half-closed in mild concentration, gleaming with some hidden emotion. The wind was attempting to beat him backwards, but Hyouzan endured, tucking small angel wings against his sides in an attempt to make his body more streamlined. The platinum chain that looped twice around his neck chimed eerily, black opal pendant thumping against his chest. It was dull, not even the tiniest glimmer betraying its magical purposes. A strange melnacholy mood gripped his heart, and only the determination to reach the lands over the mountains kept his legs lifting. Unbidden, a tear slipped from his left eye, freezing against his cheek. Pain infested his soul, sending sharp jabs of agony throughout his body. This was not meant to be. The storm ceased a little, making his progress easier. But it did not ease his inner turmoil.

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[neloangelo]

From the direction the slender, troubled wolf trudged towards, a shape began to form amidst the falling ice and fog. It began to solidify and enlarge. A large wolf, easily twice the size of the other, his large head down against the snow, trekked the terrain towards the other. When he was a few body-lengths away from the other canine, he stopped. He raised his snow-encrusted head, his silvery-blue coat flekked with white and ice. His icy blue gaze met that of the other traveller, and having made eye contact, once again lowered his gaze momentarily in a sign of respect.

"Hail."

[Deleted]

The tear that had frozen against his cheek was hidden by the other crystals of ice and snow, but his blue eyes were still softened slightly. Hyouzan's attention had been fixed determinedly on the snowy path just a few feet in front of him, so he was mildly startled when another wolf appeared out of the impervious weather. Outlined in gusts of bluish snowflakes, the gargantuan beast transformed his astonishment into fear. But that sentiment was sated as the stranger seemed nonviolent, merely approaching close enough for comfortable speech. Hyouzan noted the similar coat colour, despite the lack of wings and spirit pendant. The other wolf had been travelling from the direction of Shinkou, which was his ultimate destination, and so he wondered if perhaps this wolf had been there. Greetings, friend. Terrible weather, eh? Have you any idea of a nearby shelter? Hyouzan felt comfortable in the cold winds and snow, but it would be more acceptable to speak without shouting above the strong breezes. Besides, he wishd to hear news of his old pack before he actually entered... and faced whatever wrath or sorrow that might be found there. This thought reminded him of his regret, and he breathed a sigh, lost in the howling cliffs surrounding the unlikely pair.

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[neloangelo]

The large wolf took notice of the other's tensing at his approach. He allowed his voice to remain calm and collected, and noted to himself the reaction of the other wolf. It seemed, based on his disposition and reactions, that the other was an oucast, just like him. For how long, or why, Nelo did not know.
As the other wolf spoke softly, Nelo nodded and made his reply in kind.

"Yes, quite a lot of precipitation. But, where I come from, I am rather used to it. Plus, I like the cold."
With this comment, Nelo smiled slightly. But his smile faded away when he made his next statement.

"However, I am sorry to inform you that I do not know of any place nearby. I myself am quite lost, and not truly headed to any particular destination."
Before he finished his sentence, he noticed the other wolf's sigh, full of melancholy. Nelo thought to a moment to himself, and, visibly making up his mind, spoke once more, this time a little louder.

"My name is Nelo Angelo. If it's not too much trouble, I'll join you in your travel. I've nowhere else to be, thus far."
With his introduction, he bowed his head in formal greeting.

[Deleted]

Though he had been away from Shinkou on and off for the past couple of years, he felt guilty each time he departed, because it meant leaving behind someone he loved... who could never receive a satisfactory explanation as to why he left. Zoicite, whom he had told he loved. And it was true. She had been a solid friend since young adulthood, and the affection he had felt for her developed into a passionate adoration that he knew couldn't possibly leave him. No matter what the situation back home, there would always be Zoi's beautiful face and lovely voice to welcome him back. This was the only hope he held on to. Hyouzan glanced up, realizing he had let his attention wander momentarily. I enjoy it also, strangely enough. Don't worry about the shelter, I know a place where there's plenty of food, water and friendly faces. I haven't been there in a while, of course, but... I doubt things have changed much... or so I've been hoping... His laughter was a little shaky as he considered the possibility of Shinkou being changed at all. The magic in the land and the wolves seemed to powerful to let much evil affect it, but there was always a chance... I am Hyouzan, and I'd be extremely grateful if you'd join me. It's a strange place we trek towards. He hadn't the slightest idea whether or not Nelo Angelo knew or grasped the concept of 'madic' or the 'spirits', but he assumed he could always use his own powers to defend against anything unexpected. The male wolf stepped forward, long-furred pelt rippling in the wind, which had died down almost to nothingness. Fresh tracks formed in the snow behind him as he set a pace that he figured would be practical for them both.

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[Mama Z]

The snow whipped about with ease. Pushing up snow flurries that made everything a blinding white curtain of nothing. It was a winter wonderland, without the wonderland. Though this wasnt one of the worst times the mountain has seen. Some times, the days were clear and beautiful, a real wonderland. Easily the snowy peaks loomed, calling for whoever dared to listen to come and enjoy the ever snowing lands. She happened to hear the call and willingly, she went.

There was one problem with going on an adventure alone however. You seemed to forget that there was a possiblity that someone else could be lurking around a boulder, or in a cave. She had been running, joyfully chasing a white rabbit. Laughter filled the air as she leapt and lunged. Her white fur matched the snow around her, even the shimmer the white layer held once hit by the sun or moon light just right. The only thing of color on the small wolf was her paws, ears, tails and eyes. Each were a rich brown, a beautiful copper color that stood out in contrast to the snow. She leapt once, laughed, leapt again adn thats when her day went from great to "I should have stayed home" type of days.

Like Alice through the rabbits hole, she tumbled and tumbled, eventually landing on something soft. That something soft, wasn't the something soft she wanted to land on. There was a loud grown and then a sudden roar that seemed to shake the cave. Zoicite instantly fled, but it wasn't long before Sleeping Beauty was chasing after her. The bear roared and hollared, echoing loudly above the storm the mountain was encountering. The bear had the strength to plow through the snow, she had just enough agility to avoid the large sweeping paws. It was starting to get harder and harder to see through the snow, every thing seeming like a curtain of nothing.

She took a right, barely avoiding the paw and the angry bellow, before suddenly the world went black. Through the white darkness she saw nothing, and trees dont tend to move. A yelp left her throat as her body landed hard against the tree. The bear seemed to laugh at its fallen prey. It stood up on its hind legs, both forepaws raised high. Poised and ready to kill whoever disrupted its slumber.

[neloangelo]

Nelo Angelo nodded at the others introduction of himself. As the other wolf began once again to began his journey, Nelo fell in beside him. He noticed the strange blending of colors in his smaller companion. And the silvery chain with the black jewel did not escape his notice, either. He decided, however, that information regarding this and other things would come with time.
But with the calming of the weather, returned Nelo's superb senses. He paused, and cocked his head towards an unknown location. After this moments pause, he turned and quietly said to Hyouzan.

"I believe we are not alone." The hackles on the back of his neck rose visibly.

[kai]

Kai continued to trudge through the storm, bowing her head slightly against the wind. Her hazel coat was freckled with snow and her pace was slow, but her blue-green eyes remained clear and alert as she treaded through the sea of white. She wasn't particularly large or small, but sported a sleek, moderate build.

Kai's ears perked up at the unmistakable yelp of a fellow canine in trouble. She picked up her pace and headed in the direction of the sound, her urge to help and innate curiosity combining to drive her towards it. Moments later a huge form began to take shape in the flurry of snowflakes; upon a closer inspection, Kai realized it was a bear standing on its hind legs.

Collapsed in front of the bear against a tree was another wolf, barely distinguishable due to her white coat and her small size. Aside from Kai's keen eyesight, the only trait that made the other wold stand out at all was the copper color on her paws, tail, ears and eyes.

Temporarily abandoning her solitary escapade, Kai impulsively leapt forward to help. She jumped onto the bear's back and sank her fangs into the back of it's neck. The bear howled in pain and reared back, struggling to rid itself of it's adversary.

[Deleted]

[a posting order is needed. here: me

, Z, nelo, kai. if anyone has a problem with this, i shall tweak it to suit everyone's needs. i guess. xD and since Z brought the bear in, I'll let her decide if hyouzan's attack worked or not. <3]

Flakes barely made it out of the sky before they were buffeted about by the winds, though its strength had severely dissapated. The pair had barely begun to move when Hyouzan's attention was caught by a thunderous roar that reminded him vaguely of an avalanche. The terrifying sound mingled with the frightened yip of a wolf; a female one judging by the pitch and intonation. His gaze flew to the rear, but the mayhem was occuring just behind a screen of dilapidated trees and tumbled boulders. Someone's in trouble! His voice was hoarse, but loud enough to carry as he sprinted towards the ruckus, paws flaying up a sheet of powdery snow. His breathing came in hectic pants, but there was an intent gleam in his eyes as he rounded the bend, turning to shock... then pain and anger. Zoicite! The name was howled, the sight of the small female crumpled at the base of a tree driving him to leap furiously towards her assailant. Hyouzan was again surprised as he sighted another wolf, a female, already flailing at the bear. He paused for an instant, focusing, evening his breath. The black opal sparked with electric blue and yellow, a hint of red adding to the menacing aura exuding from his being. His mouth snapped open, revealing ivory teeth that danced with ice blue electric-like power. His hind legs kciked, propelled him to the beast, aiming for its throat, but his flight was decoursed by a faint gust of wind. His small wings flared; they weren't nearly enough for flight, but it helped his airtime a little. His jaws locked into the bear's thick, meaty shoulder, and a spiderweb of dark indigo frost built up over the joint, while an electrical current of cerulean jetted throughout its body. Hyouzan did not intend to kill, merely stun, but had little idea whether it would succeed.

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[Mama Z]

Searing white pain shot in front of the bears eyes and down its back. Instantly he roared, seeming to cause the world to shake beneath him as he began to shift violently left to right, trying to rid itself of the pain and the loathesome wolf. But before it had time to ram drop on all fours and roll, hoping to squish its assialent another hwol went through the air as he felt more searing pain run down its one shoulder. A large arm reached around, hoping to swat it away and then thats when it fell with a low groan. The electricity that seemed to course through his body numbing it slightly and confusing it greatly. He moaned and began to try and move away, getting away from the only sources of pain he knew. The wolves.

[neloangelo]

After Hyouzan's outburst and break away from him, Nelo followed casually, keeping his senses open for any other signs of danger. When he rounded the corner, he saw his companion launch his slim body at the large white predator. He narrowed his icy gaze the moment Hyouzan struck, wondering what exactly was occuring. He approached the trio of wolves and the large bear, noting briefly that the other two were females. He proceeded until he was well outside of striking distance, and he waited. This struggle did not seem to need his strength added to it. To himself, he nodded in satisfaction at the strength and spirit of these other wolves. It was refreshing to be around his own kind again...

When the large white mammal dropped and started moaning pitifully, Nelo made no motion to move in for the kill. He kept his respectful and silent distance, waiting for the outcome to show itself.

[kai]

An incredible relief swept over Kai as another wolf joined in the attack. She acknowledged reluctantly that her actions had been impulsive and, had help not come, the outcome may have been very different. However, the impressive power of her ally seemed to be enough to bring down their massive opponent. It moaned pitifully as it struggled, the blood from its wounds seeping into the snow and turning it crimson. As the bear grew more helpless and lost more and more blood, Kai decided that whether they finished the job or not, the bear was going to die. Rather than prolong its suffering, she moved in to quicken its passing. It would be cruel to do otherwise, and, admittedly, it had been quite a while since she'd last eaten something.
Assuming (and hoping) that the others agreed with her reasoning, she latched on to the bear's throat and tore at the flesh until the bear's cries began to die away.

[Deleted]

Hyouzan's mind whirled as the bear explained just how painful his attack was in an agonized roar. He felt the giant beneath him shudder, sway, and then the ground rushed up, and his body was jerked as his enemy collapsed. He carefully removed himself from the tangle of limbs and fur, realizing that he had managed to stun the large animal. His gaze swetp across the scene, lingering thankfully on the unknown female, then towards Angelo, who, to his amusement, had decided to leave things to him. Hyouzan nodded to him, then glanced back at the other female wolf. We should move away. The bear is only stunned, and when it wakes back up, it's not going to be pleased... He trailed off, shivering a little. His head felt tense, hot. A headache was beginning, one that he knew could be incapacitating. He darted to the tree, white paws slapping the hard-packed snow, tongue lolling in a pant. His body was beginning to feel the side effects of using power on such a large,living object, and they were not pleasant. He crouched next to Zoicite's limp body, a worried expression wrinkling his maw. Indigo orbs attempted to seek out any damage, but there seemed to be none. Zoicite. Zoi, it's Hyouzan. You gotta get up. His muzzle prodded her side gently, tail drooping, ears limp. This was a surprise he hadn't wanted- for either him or Zoicite. Hyouzan glanced up, is next words for both Angelo and the female. We've got to get to Shinkou. It's my homeland... sort of... and where Zoicite lives. It will be safe there for you two also. He nuzzled the smalle white wolfess, hoping that everythign was okay.

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[Mama Z]

(Kai, Im not trying to be rude. But what you just did was powerplaying. The bear is my character, even if it was small, its my choice whether or not the thing lives or dies. Like I said, Im not being rude, but remember in roleplay, everything you do is an ATTEMPT..)

[kai]

(I apologize...I openly admit I'm a noob, and for some reason I got the impression that the bear was a goner...anyway, I'll avoid that in the future. Sorry about that).