10-08-2012, 01:41 AM
OOC: Sorry for making ya wait... Long post!
IC: The cool October evening was crisp and inviting. The sky above was like a back lit canvas with holes punched in it, twinkling innocently with it's billions of tiny specks of light. A very light breeze whispered softly through the trees and the chirping chorus of crickets added an almost magical feeling to the already beautiful night. Having said good night to her mount, Dust, Kenna had quietly closed the stable doors, making sure to have blown out the lantern that had previously lit the stalls before leaving for the night. Everything was peaceful at this hour and as she made her way towards the shelter of her wooden house nearby, Kenna couldn't help but pause and gaze out into the silhouetted forest that surround the little town. By the light of the crescent moon, Kenna could see just well enough to follow the path into the trees that lead out into the wilds of Cercatori d'Arte. Despite having been a part of the pack since June, the cowgirl had only explored maybe a quarter of the territory. Her main haunt was the stables, and more recently she'd taken to visiting the secret little pool hidden in the woods not too far from Thornbury. Despite her soreness and slight tiredness after a hard day's work, Kenna felt the wilds calling to her. Some primal part of her longed to go out and enjoy the ethereal darkness. Deciding to heed the sudden compelling urge she felt, the woman slowly and silently began to stroll out of Thornbury. Glancing back over her shoulder Kenna sighed, her breath just barely becoming visible with a faint wisp of fog. The little square was dark and quiet, it seemed everyone who called the place home was either out or asleep. Smiling softly the collie hybrid reached the tree line before she paused and swiftly removed her shirt, pants and the fur cloak she had acquired the other day and folded them neatly. She then set the outfit carefully at the base of a tree near the path. When she returned to Thornbury she could easily find them and redress. Once upon a time, Kenna had been uncomfortable going unclad, but that had changed now and she was less modest about it. Leaving her blue bandana and not willing to part with her golden horse pendant around her neck, she then shook out her fur and shifted down into her lupus form. She rarely ever used this smaller, wilder form for she preferred the dexterity and mobility her Optime form allowed her. But tonight, she felt like being different and indulging her more natural instincts.
Inhaling the cool air with a slight shiver, she padded forward, eventually veering off the worn path to Thornbury and slipped into the shadows of the trees. She'd get used to the cold once she got moving more. With her ears swiveling and her senses on high, the collie-wolf girl trotted easily along, the gathering dew upon the ground muffling the normal crunch of the fallen leaves beneath her paws. Panting softly, Kenna made her way towards a clearing she knew of. She had spent a couple nights out under the stars in the field along with Dust. In daytime, the meadow was dappled with sunlight and motes of pollen and dust drifted lazily, suspended in the air. Birds of all species could be heard singing their songs high in the branches of the trees that bordered the clearing. But now, all was quiet and still except for the occasional peep of a frog, the orchestra of crickets or the gently swaying branches high above in the breeze. Reaching the meadow, she found it bathed in the soft glow of the moon. It was gorgeous out tonight and Kenna was glad she had chosen to spend time in the wilds instead of retreating into her home for an early bedtime. The more she stayed out in the natural ambiance, the more awake she became. Stepping out into the open, Kenna suddenly bunched her legs and took off at a brisk run, pelting across the exposed landscape, creating a furrow through the tall swaying grasses. Grinning wolfishly, her tongue lolling from her maw, Kenna delighted in her freedom to run. It was so liberating! With the moon shining down upon her mottled pelt, the wind whipping passed her ears, paws softly drumming over the ground Kenna felt her heart soar. The feeling threatened to overtake her and just as she reached the center of the meadow she crested a small rise and came to a full stop, the elation she felt ready to burst forth. Standing proud and tall, the woman lifted a single paw before throwing back her head and letting her joy be known to anyone who was awake and would listen. A beautiful but eerie howl erupted forth from her maw and spread across the expanses, echoing away before fading into silence again. It was courtesy of her father's wolf blood that she was able to produce such haunting music as well as any pure lupine.
The sudden sound spooked a doe from her resting place at the edge of the clearing and Kenna watched as she quickly trotted deeper into the shadows of the forest. The woman then took a seat on the rise and gazed up at the sky. She didn't really care at that moment if she had disturbed anyone's sleep with her voice. She was just...so happy. She couldn't contain it. The only thing that could have made the moment more perfect was if she had someone to share the night with. Little did she know, not too far from the meadow, in the trees her pack mate stood mirroring Kenna with her own gaze focused upon the stars...
IC: The cool October evening was crisp and inviting. The sky above was like a back lit canvas with holes punched in it, twinkling innocently with it's billions of tiny specks of light. A very light breeze whispered softly through the trees and the chirping chorus of crickets added an almost magical feeling to the already beautiful night. Having said good night to her mount, Dust, Kenna had quietly closed the stable doors, making sure to have blown out the lantern that had previously lit the stalls before leaving for the night. Everything was peaceful at this hour and as she made her way towards the shelter of her wooden house nearby, Kenna couldn't help but pause and gaze out into the silhouetted forest that surround the little town. By the light of the crescent moon, Kenna could see just well enough to follow the path into the trees that lead out into the wilds of Cercatori d'Arte. Despite having been a part of the pack since June, the cowgirl had only explored maybe a quarter of the territory. Her main haunt was the stables, and more recently she'd taken to visiting the secret little pool hidden in the woods not too far from Thornbury. Despite her soreness and slight tiredness after a hard day's work, Kenna felt the wilds calling to her. Some primal part of her longed to go out and enjoy the ethereal darkness. Deciding to heed the sudden compelling urge she felt, the woman slowly and silently began to stroll out of Thornbury. Glancing back over her shoulder Kenna sighed, her breath just barely becoming visible with a faint wisp of fog. The little square was dark and quiet, it seemed everyone who called the place home was either out or asleep. Smiling softly the collie hybrid reached the tree line before she paused and swiftly removed her shirt, pants and the fur cloak she had acquired the other day and folded them neatly. She then set the outfit carefully at the base of a tree near the path. When she returned to Thornbury she could easily find them and redress. Once upon a time, Kenna had been uncomfortable going unclad, but that had changed now and she was less modest about it. Leaving her blue bandana and not willing to part with her golden horse pendant around her neck, she then shook out her fur and shifted down into her lupus form. She rarely ever used this smaller, wilder form for she preferred the dexterity and mobility her Optime form allowed her. But tonight, she felt like being different and indulging her more natural instincts.
Inhaling the cool air with a slight shiver, she padded forward, eventually veering off the worn path to Thornbury and slipped into the shadows of the trees. She'd get used to the cold once she got moving more. With her ears swiveling and her senses on high, the collie-wolf girl trotted easily along, the gathering dew upon the ground muffling the normal crunch of the fallen leaves beneath her paws. Panting softly, Kenna made her way towards a clearing she knew of. She had spent a couple nights out under the stars in the field along with Dust. In daytime, the meadow was dappled with sunlight and motes of pollen and dust drifted lazily, suspended in the air. Birds of all species could be heard singing their songs high in the branches of the trees that bordered the clearing. But now, all was quiet and still except for the occasional peep of a frog, the orchestra of crickets or the gently swaying branches high above in the breeze. Reaching the meadow, she found it bathed in the soft glow of the moon. It was gorgeous out tonight and Kenna was glad she had chosen to spend time in the wilds instead of retreating into her home for an early bedtime. The more she stayed out in the natural ambiance, the more awake she became. Stepping out into the open, Kenna suddenly bunched her legs and took off at a brisk run, pelting across the exposed landscape, creating a furrow through the tall swaying grasses. Grinning wolfishly, her tongue lolling from her maw, Kenna delighted in her freedom to run. It was so liberating! With the moon shining down upon her mottled pelt, the wind whipping passed her ears, paws softly drumming over the ground Kenna felt her heart soar. The feeling threatened to overtake her and just as she reached the center of the meadow she crested a small rise and came to a full stop, the elation she felt ready to burst forth. Standing proud and tall, the woman lifted a single paw before throwing back her head and letting her joy be known to anyone who was awake and would listen. A beautiful but eerie howl erupted forth from her maw and spread across the expanses, echoing away before fading into silence again. It was courtesy of her father's wolf blood that she was able to produce such haunting music as well as any pure lupine.
The sudden sound spooked a doe from her resting place at the edge of the clearing and Kenna watched as she quickly trotted deeper into the shadows of the forest. The woman then took a seat on the rise and gazed up at the sky. She didn't really care at that moment if she had disturbed anyone's sleep with her voice. She was just...so happy. She couldn't contain it. The only thing that could have made the moment more perfect was if she had someone to share the night with. Little did she know, not too far from the meadow, in the trees her pack mate stood mirroring Kenna with her own gaze focused upon the stars...