With her leg healed Terra was ready to go off and about, exploring the lands once more. She couldn't help that wandering soul inside her, screaming for adventure and to discover what was out there. Her ties would always be to her pack, and she would be there when they needed her, but Terra couldn't resist the joys of the danger that was beyond their borders. Terra would have left a couple days ago, but when she was about to cross Skoll had popped up, asking if he could come along.
That meant a whole lot of preparation, talking to Ayita about what they were planning, severe promises to keep him safe and mostly exhaustion for the rootless female. When they were finally prepared Terra had to explain why taking his horse along wouldn't be the best idea, explaining that not everyone saw horses as friends. She did manage to avoid mentioning that she was one of the ones that would eat a horse, and it was to help with her temptation of eating her.
Standing on the edge of the border Terra paced back and forth. She'd taken her larger secui form, wanting to look larger than him when they traveled, a false sense of being capable and responsible for Skoll. It was partly for Ayita, but the most part was just to sooth her crushed ego for Skoll growing larger than her. At least there would be plenty for her to show him, lots of lessons to share.
Terra
Wordcount :: +000
template by revo. <3 - Table and code modifications by Alex
you'll take the town and you'll take it with style
IF YOU PLAY IT BRAVE AND BOLD, THESE ARE STREETS OF GOLD
After days of obtesting and entreating, the wayward adventures were finally going on their first adventure together. Skoll was filled to the brim with excitement, to say the least, and was raring to go out into the wide world with his trickster friend. If anyone could show him the ropes, it would be her, as she seemed even worldlier than a few of the older adults in the Court. His parents had agreed to let him go, since he was a squire now—an adult in ranks if not mind—but had told him to be safe and careful overall, and listen to everything Terra told him.
Well, the last part had been offered uncertainly, but the boy knew he would obey anyway. He’d already kept from taking Hwin out with them, even if they would make more time on horseback, but he decided it was for the best. He didn’t know how to protect her, and he couldn’t care for her properly away from the stables where all her things were. Besides, it would be cheating to have a horse on his first grand journey; he had to make it on his very own paws.
The coywolf was waiting for him at the borders. He dashed toward her with tongue lolling and tail wagging, aiming to headbutt her—although her secui form would prevent her from stumbling. He barked a wordless greeting and was about to turn in circles when he stopped and cocked his head. “Soooo where are we gonna go first?” He had a million other questions that he wanted to ask, but he was going to practice taking it slow. Everyone protested that they didn’t have time to breathe, let alone answer, between his endless queries, and he didn’t want to distract his caretaker from the lands they were about to explore.
A bright bark alerted her to the arrival of her friend. Her tail burst into a frenzy, dipping down playfully as he came charging towards her. Terra growled as they butted heads, pushing back against him. Not that she had enough strength to push back a huge amount. She was still going to try, refusing to acknowledge the fact that Skoll was quickly outstripping her. He'd probably end up a lot more mature than her as an adult as well, actually receiving the knowledge that she had missed while living on her own.
Grinning at the question Terra shook her head. We just go. No destination, no goal. Terra would simply show him what was around them, everything there was to behold. Her tail wagging softly behind her she stepped out, treading over the lands carefully. Her movement was silent, already working on challenging the pup to keep up with her. The hidden trails that she had were left alone, unable to fit into them in the larger form.
The pair moved a fair distance before Terra took her first twist off. She ran through a short dip, coming up to enter a thick bracketed area. Pausing to make sure that Skoll was keeping up Terra grinned before pushing her way through. Stopping she looked over the area that was revealed. A fox and her kits, playing out in the open. They would have to be careful not to startle them, if Terra didn't want to get bit or have them vanish out of sight. Just a start of what she would be showing him.
Terra
Wordcount :: +000
template by revo. <3 - Table and code modifications by Alex
you'll take the town and you'll take it with style
IF YOU PLAY IT BRAVE AND BOLD, THESE ARE STREETS OF GOLD
Skoll grinned even as she pushed him back with her secui-broad head, not minding the little match and giving up easily. His tail wagged obliviously behind him the entire time, curled happily, though he looked more like a wolf than ever since he’d grown. It was in the steel cast of his muscles rather than the plush paleness of his thick coat; it was where it counted for him to be strong enough to make this first journey as an adult in the eyes of the pack.
Terra stated that they would just go, and the boy blinked for a moment before nodding excitedly. It would be a true journey of the heart, led by the whims of the wind and the path of his paws, until they found what they were—
The squire yelped as he realized she was already trotting off without him. He kept pace stubbornly, however, and it looked as if he would never tire while he was at her side. Sometimes he’d flip his tail to try to swat her flank, scrabbling out of the way in case she had half a mind to nip him for his mischief, but she of all luperci should tolerate some fun.
When the coyote turned off down an unexpected trail, the blonde boy followed clumsily but determinedly. He nearly bumped into her when she stopped suddenly, but as he followed her gaze, he went silent and still. His ears pricked forward in interest; he had heard about foxes vaguely, but he couldn’t remember ever seeing a real one. Most gave the pack a wide berth.
He watched them for a moment, then whimpered and poked Terra with his dark nose, waiting for her to tell him what to do. He didn’t want to scare them, but he wasn’t sure why she was watching them intently if it wasn’t to give him a lesson.
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Crappy post, sorry. Didn't want to make you wait any longer!
Terra had kept pace with Skoll's antics, occasionally pushing at him playfully. The point of the trip was to have fun, after all. If they didn't have fun, there was no point of them going. At least for Terra. Sure, Skoll would probably come back and have learned some things, but that wasn't the primary purpose of this trip for Terra. For her it was simply spending time with her friend, goofing off and showing him the various places she'd discovered in her travels.
Foxes were one of Terra's favorite creatures. Granted, she couldn't eat them, so that put them below deer, rabbits, hogs, squirrels, and other such creatures. They were incredibly clever though, and Terra had actually picked up some of the tricks she used from foxes. Grinning over to Skoll she gestured for him to watch closely. Stepping forwards Terra moved without her usual silent grace, letting her steps make noise as she revealed her presence to the foxes below.
Instantly the kits vanished. If one was watching closely enough they would note how the kits turned the environment to their advantage, letting themselves disguise themselves and hide away. One actually vanished into the den, with others hiding in tall grass, burying in mud, and simply using the shadows to make their presence fade. The mother sat up, grinning cockily over at Terra. How are you coyote?
Chuckling Terra dipped her head with respect. I'm doing well. Simply looking for a meal. The mother twisted her way over, no fear in her small form. Subtly she drew Terra's gaze, letting it focus on the small form and away from the kits. Well, I can't help you there. I haven't had much luck myself today. Disappointing. Terra was hoping that she'd have given up a food cache to get rid of the coyote. The colorful fox flashed her tail playfully, stepping away. Terra followed after, the kits completely forgotten in her mind, just thinking about the snack she'd lied about seeking, and how she was now feeling hungry.
Terra
Wordcount :: +000
template by revo. <3 - Table and code modifications by Alex
you'll take the town and you'll take it with style
IF YOU PLAY IT BRAVE AND BOLD, THESE ARE STREETS OF GOLD
Skoll was surprised when the coyote hybrid moved toward the family. His ears came up when he saw the little ones dart away, their muddy-copper coats vanishing in the mud and grass. He knew that he’d never be able to pull off something like that; his fur was too distinct in its bright color. Maybe in high yellow grass he’d be able to vanish for a while, but he’d never been stealthy.
He remained half-hidden behind the secui female, peering curiously at the vixen as she addressed Terra casually. A small sound left the boy before he shut his jaws on it; he hadn’t expected the fox to talk, although he wasn’t sure why not. The vulpine looked almost like one of their own, except with a slender, almost catlike body and different proportions. The scent was confusing as well, very strong and musky.
He padded after Terra when they moved, watching the white flicker at the tip of the fox’s ruddy tail. Entranced, he remained silent for a while, until at last he got the courage to whisper to his friend. “Are they like us?”
He wasn’t totally sure how he meant the question, himself. “Us” meant wolves and coyotes and dogs; it meant luperci. The fox was different but similar; it even spoke the same language as them. The thought niggled at him until he had to voice it, and he hoped that the vixen hadn’t overheard.
Coyote and vixen glanced over at the pup, twin mocking grins on their faces. Her tail swished as the conversation continued, Skoll falling into step beside her. Terra wasn't too sure where they were going, keeping her senses on high alert. She had chosen to bother the vixen in order to show Skoll that they weren't the only ones out there who were as intelligent as they were. The protective fox would be perfect for that. She smiled over at Skoll when the question was asked, knowing the vixen heard it by the twitch of her ear.
No. They are different. Explaining what she meant was a bit difficult. Yes, they could talk like Terra and Skoll did, but foxes thought and behaved very differently from canines. The white tail vanished before them, leaving the pair behind. Whipping around she searched around the area before chuckling. Catnip grew in the area, effectively blocking scent. They wouldn't be making their way back to where the kits were. See? The kits are safe from harm, and she didn't even have to fight.
Terra
Wordcount :: +000
template by revo. <3 - Table and code modifications by Alex
you'll take the town and you'll take it with style
IF YOU PLAY IT BRAVE AND BOLD, THESE ARE STREETS OF GOLD
Terra explained that foxes were different—or, she stated the fact. There was no explanation, and Skoll wanted to press her for more, but he was still wary of insulting the vixen trotting ahead of them. It was something that the boy didn’t have real understanding of; it was just something that luperci knew. His brow furrowed as he stared at the back of the creature’s narrow body and large ears, but he remained silent.
But then he suddenly didn’t see her, and it looked like his friend was at a loss for her location as well. She laughed, and he inhaled the scent of the plants surrounding them. This time, her explanation made him break out into a smile, and he nodded eagerly—glad to grasp this concept, at least.
“Yeah, and she didn’t have to be really tricky or lie or anything,” the golden teen realized aloud. He shook his head then asked, “Is this the kinda stuff you’re gonna show me?”
He was excited for it, of course. While it was all fine and good to learn how to hunt and fight and ride horses from the Court members, Terra had a separate array of skills he didn’t think anyone else could share. He liked to think of himself as honorable, but even princes needed to have a few tricks up their sleeves if they were going to survive.
Skoll grasped what she was showing him rapidly. This was why she had approached the fox. This was what she meant by them being different. Terra relied on tricks, but foxes took them to a different level. Their actions were different, they were able to manipulate and interact with the world in a way she couldn't. Terra had learned plenty of her tricks from watching them when she was by herself. She cocked her head, considering Skoll's words. In her mind the vixen had been extremely tricky, smoothly convincing them to move on and managing to make it look like she wasn't worried or even thinking about the kits at all.
Chuckling Terra nodded her head. There's a lot more out here for me to show you. The first lesson: pay attention to everything. There's a chance you can learn from it. Terra rolled over, enjoying the minty air of the plant. The strong scent clung to her coat as she stood up again, sneezing. Tail wagging she bowed down at Skoll, turning around to pounce on him. As soon as she touched down Terra spun off, challenging Skoll to keep up as she dived head first into the adventure. There was plenty still to see!
