Private for Terra <3, forward dated to the 13th of Feb Set in the Halcyon Mountains
It was early afternoon, the sun was shining weakly through a fairly thick blanket of clouds, it was snowing slightly, small flakes floating down, dancing with the breeze as they fell. Even though it was only a very light snowfall it seemed as though it was a forewarning that more snow might be on the way very soon; it seemed that the spring was still a long way off. The day was very cold, luckily the wolves that lived within the lands seemed to be coping well, they of course all had thick fur and those that did not seemed to cope well, fashioning themselves clothes from the remnants of human clothes. The breeze was cold but was not fierce, potentially the calm before the storm, the snow storm that might well be on the way. Soran padded quietly through this, the flakes of snow drifting to her and settling on her dark pelt, providing a very bright contrast. Luckily she was built for just this kind of weather and had a thick winter coat, the cold was more refreshing that chilling to the Beta wolf of New Dawn. She was a fair way away from home today, her new found want to be sociable had stirred her to be a little more adventurous; she had been a recluse for such a long time, hiding away from all of the other wolves in her pack, but now not only did she want to socialise she wanted to see other packs, she needed to stretch her legs, to get out of the pack, just for a day of course, just for a short while. Just enough time to clear her head and feel like she had gotten some exercise. And so the sable female had walked towards the Halcyon mountains, feeling that the incline would be enough to allow her to really get cool air into her lungs, it would help her to feel alive, to feel right once again.
And so she walked, a bounce in her step as she did so, feeling more cheery than she had in a while, even though she loved her new pack she had still felt a little on edge, hence her almost acting like a hermit for almost a month. But she felt right now, settled once again. A soft smile crossed her lips as she walked and she licked a snowflake from the tip of her dark nose with her long pink tongue. She couldn't help but skip a little as she walked, she was in a wonderful mood if truth be told, she felt invigorated, she felt wonderful. Today was going to be a rather good day. As she walked she began to hum, a soft Irish tune that she often caught Deuce singing softly to herself; though sometimes the pale female would sing it to her mate when she thought that she was asleep, Soran would lay there in silence, pretending to slumber as the soft angelic tones of her lover warmed her heart. Today she could not get the tune out of her head, but it seemed like a good omen, somehow, the dark female could not help but feel that something good might happen today.
Well she definitely hadn't been expecting that reaction. Terra had merely been trying to get something to eat. It had just slipped her mind that horses weren't supposed to be on the menu. After all, they smelled like prey, and they acted like prey. There was no reason for her not to think of them that way. Sighing Terra trudged through the grounds. It had taken some time, but Terra had decided not to wait for Soran. The old wolf had loyalties to a pack that hated her for what she was, after all. Terra had no reason to believe that Soran would ever find the time to travel with her. So she set out on her own, moving to explore lands that she was yet to touch.
Her ears pricked as music drifted to her on the wind. Terra didn't recognize it, but she eagerly moved forward. Terra swung her head around, wondering if it was Drakien out here. It was unlikely, but she had found him the first time near here. Terra froze as she spotted a black wolf. Lifting her head she smelled the wind. It was Soran, the scent of the pack clinging to her disgustingly. Hackles raised Terra looked around. She would leave quietly, before she was noticed. Terra didn't want to fight with her, something that would probably happen if they met.
The sable Beta was still rather uneasy about the way that Titania had treated Terra on the borders, true it was the very first day that New Dawn had been formed and the pack members were known for being distrustful of coyotes, but the girl had meant no harm, she had simply been looking for her friend. Soran had wondered for a moment if maybe the power had gone to Titania's head, she had known that she would be Alphess because she was Zalen's mate, but somehow she had not expected the young female to take to the role so readily, thinking that perhaps she would take a back seat role in the affairs of the pack lands, but it seemed she had thrown herself into it with the usual enthusiasm of youth. Terra had offended her, that much was indeed true, but still Soran felt that it could have all been dealt with in a much better way, if only she had known how, she had not wanted to be seen to be crossing the Alphess on the very first day that the pack was formed after all, even if she knew that she could settle the matter much more easily; some things could not be learnt quickly after all, they were the products of age and experience and the dark female had both of those in abundance. She gave a small sigh as she thought on this, pausing in her humming before continuing, she really did wish that things had not been left that way. She made a mental note to herself to speak to Zalen soon, to perhaps ask him to speak to his mate about not being so defensive at the borders, it was true that they needed defending, but Terra had simply come with a genuine request, Soran doubted that she had been attempting to cause any trouble, although she had managed to do so.
It was as she thought this that a familiar scent caught her nostrils; it was Terra, of that she was sure, a smile crossed her lips, now she would have a chance to explain! To apologise for everything and to tell her how she had come to be among the new pack, yes clearing the air was what was needed here. The dark pelted female began to pad towards the scent, her gait quickening as it began to get stronger. Soon enough the familiar shape of her friend came into sight and she breathed a sigh of relief, it seemed that the girl was well, thank goodness for that, the dark female would never have managed to forgive herself if anything had happened to the girl near her borders. Her jade eyes narrowed though as she realised that the girl was attempting to slip away unnoticed, perhaps the meeting at the borders had muddied the clear waters of their friendship, this idea caused a pang of guilt and sorrow to cross the dark female's chest, that was the last thing that she had wanted. She quickened her pace in pursuit of the younger half coyote girl. Terra! Terra! Please wait, I want to talk to you, to explain! The ebony Beta called out loudly as she followed the hybrid, the last thing Soran wanted was for their friendship to end, especially on such awful terms.
Word Count → 000 :: please be patient with her pigheadedness
Soran's voice cut across the clear field, the silence amplifying it around them. Terra winced, knowing she was caught. The only way to get away now was if she ran. Not in the mood for such submissive behavior Terra straightened, taking on a more dominant pose. She would not submit, not for anyone. There was no reason for Terra to be ashamed of herself. She couldn't help being what she was. She understood this now, Ayita's words soothing her, reminding her that those who couldn't accept her nature weren't friends at all.
Patiently Terra let the older wolf catch up to her. There was no sign of the friendship they once held in her eyes, only wary caution. Terra wouldn't let herself be caught off guard. If Soran had come to explain that the pack didn't like her, that was fine. She already knew that, having Augustus drive her away for that very reason. If Soran wanted to defend the pup that was a leader, that was fine too. Terra wouldn't be the one to suffer from the pup's rash actions. She waited patiently, letting Soran be the one to break the silence.
The sable female felt terrible for what had happened when she had last seen Terra, she had wished that it had been her that the girl had come across and not Titania, then she could have explained that although she still wished to be the hybrid's friend that she would not be welcome in New Dawn as others were very wary of anyone with coyote blood. The truth was that Soran was often suspicious of those who were part coyote, but she had seen that Terra was a good soul and she had managed to find a way to trust her, it was a shame that she had not had a nice experience at the borders of Soran's home, she wished that it had not happened. The whole affair upset the Beta, she knew that Titania had been angry because she felt that she had been disrespected, but that was perhaps the danger of being such a young leader, there would always be those who doubted her abilities, she was going to have to prove herself. Though in truth Soran already trusted her, she just wished that she had not been so harsh towards Terra. These thoughts all ran through the dark lady's mind as she padded to the hybrid girl, she noticed that the girl held no look of friendship in her eyes anymore, the dark female sighed, perhaps the damage was too great here. The ebony pelted female hoped more than anything that their friendship could be rekindled, after all they had been planning to travel together, something which Soran would not have entered into lightly, especially with a hybrid, but she did trust the young girl and she wanted to remain friends with her, even if that meant that she would have to travel to see her rather than allowing her to come and visit her on Soran's own lands. It was such a shame that it had come to this.
Soran took a step back and looked at her old friend, her eyes filled with sorrow. Oh Terra, I am so, so sorry for what happened on my borders, I wish that things hadn't happened like that, I do not like the way that you were treated. I am sorry Terra. Soran said, her tone very apologetic, she looked at the girl with large green eyes, almost pleading in her manner. Cautiously she took a step forward and offered out a dark, long fingered hand for the younger female to hold or shake. Forgive me? Please Terra, I do not want our friendship to end, especially like this. She said, her tone sad now, ears drooping a little as she looked at the hybrid girl. She meant what she said, she did not want the pair's friendship to end, let alone in such a bad way, she would hate for their to be any ill feeling between the pair, even if they were to part forever now, she would want them to part as friends, if that was at all possible.
The ebony wolf met Terra's eyes, and the coyote saw the sorrow inside them, the pain. It reflected so much of the same feeling that the pack had given her when she'd first met them. She almost felt that Soran could understand, had been turned away and hurt because of what she was. Terra realized then, what she had been doing. Because of their actions towards her Terra had assumed that all members of New Dawn hated her, thought of her as an abomination because of her mixed blood. Maybe that wasn't the case though. Maybe she could remain friends with them. Maybe they wouldn't betray her.
Her thoughts hardened again as she remembered Augustus though. There had been no leader there to prompt him, he'd simply acted on his own, driving her away. He would receive no forgiveness. Soran apologized though, pleading for forgiveness, saying she didn't like the treatment. The trickster looked at her, wondering if she should take back the old wolf's friendship. Part of her wanted to challenge her, force the other to submit before forgiveness was granted. That would be wrong though. Instead Terra gingerly reached forward, taking her friend's hand in her mouth for a moment, lacking hands. She held it before releasing, looking up into Soran's eyes. I forgive you. I just want to know why.
The ebony pelted female did indeed know what it felt like to be shunned simply for being who you were, for things that you could not change, throughout her childhood her pack had claimed that she was the most evil of all the creatures that walked this earth, simply because her pelt was ebony. These ideas had been perpetuated by her own father, a raging psychopath, a murderer who had killed Soran's mother simply for carrying Soran in her womb; unfortunately he was also Alpha of their pack and so his words had been followed blindly, like gospel from the mouth of god himself by the other members of the pack. Well all except one, Becca, the female that had adopted Soran and cared for her, had it not been for the pale wolfess with the kind eyes Soran would most certainly have not survived to be here today. That was one of the reasons why the dark female had been so upset by Terra's treatment at the borders, it was true that a lot of coyotes, those from Inferni particularly were cruel and untrustworthy in Soran's eyes, but Terra was a good and kind hearted creature, it hurt Soran to see her being judged simply because of her bloodlines, something which she could never change, no matter how hard she tried; not that she felt Terra wanted to change her bloodlines, it seemed that she was as proud of her own heritage as the dark Beta was of her coal coloured pelt, who saw it as an act of defiance against her father, a sign that one's parents did not define them. She listened as the girl spoke, taking the dark hand into her mouth, for a moment the sable female wondered if she was going to bite it, perhaps the wounds had been cut too deep? It took a great moment of trust on the ebony wolf's part to allow the girl to take her hand. But the touch was a very gentle one, Soran smiled at the younger girl as she said that she forgave her, a huge emotional weight lifting from her chest as she did so, but then the girl asked a fateful question, why had she been treated that way?
The dark female sighed and rubbed a hand across her eyes before moving to sit before the hybrid, folding her long limbs, sitting cross legged in front of her. She rubbed her eyes again, wondering how to begin. "It is a rule of our pack, coyotes are not to be trusted, unfortunately some scars were made, emotional ones I mean, that have cut too deep to be healed. Zalen's mother was killed by a coyote and that has meant that he hates them. I suppose I have not helped that view, when I was younger Inferni attacked my pack, they were merciless, cruel, the killed many and drove us from our homes, simply because of greed, they wanted our land. I doubt I will ever be able to forgive them for that. I saw many friends die that day, it has created a deep scar in my heart. Unfortunately the wolves of the pack are not as willing as I am to judge each individual by their own merits. I am so sorry for that. I know that it may make no sense to you but I hope you understand. I know that you are good, regardless of your parentage, but I do not know if the rest of the pack will ever see you the way that I do." Soran explained, knowing that it was an unfair situation in many ways for the younger girl. "How have you been Terra? It has been too long since we saw one another last." The Beta wolf added, hoping to lighten the situation a little.
Terra waited patiently, her hard eyes glittering. She had the ability to be kind, that was true. Terra had rescued canines from certain death, and patiently entertained a pup. Terra had listened with wonder and respect to Soran's stories, and would continue to listen to her. There was a flip side to the coin that Soran hadn't seen though. The part of her that laid dormant, able to carry a grudge relentlessly, and kill on her alpha's command without a speck of remorse. She was young, but the trickster's nature wasn't an innocent one.
Soran rubbed her eyes, as if trying to see what she was supposed to say. Terra knew that it was foolishness that was threaded into the pack. That didn't mean she understood it. The old one sat down, long limbs curled up. Like the first time they had met, Terra curled up at Soran's feet, looking up for understanding. Terra wanted to know what was so powerful to turn those she considered friends into enemies, facing her with bared teeth and cold courtesy. Her ears flattened as it was explained that it was because she was part coyote. Terra saw no shame in that, raised by a whole pack of them. She didn't know who Zalen was, but it sounded like the pack was built of those with poor experiences with coyotes. Sighing she shook her head.
Terra's ears perked up at the question. Explaining what had been happening with her for the past while seemed a little difficult. Soran was an elder though. Very wise. Maybe she could help Terra understand more than Taliesen did. He'd been so hesitant in his words. I had my first heat cycle. I...mated with an Infernian. Embarrassed she stuck her nose in the snow, trying to cover up. That should never have happened, no matter how good it had felt. They were in different packs! Terra made a point of mocking Inferni! Yet she'd done that. Terra had no idea how to control herself when that happened, if it would repeat, or if what she had done would result in pups.
I am so, so sorry for the wait on this hun! It's been super busy around here and then I dislocated my thumb, yeah I'm stupid XD
The sable female watched her younger friend carefully, she wished more than anything that this was the first time that they had seen one another since Soran had moved to New Dawn, then Terra would not have been put through the terrible ordeal of being shouted and and forced to leave right on the sable female's own doorstep. She sat before the younger hybrid, smiling as she came closer, they were indeed sat much as they had been when they had first met, except this time felt less happy, there was no sweet flute music playing and Terra had been hurt by her pack's actions, something which Soran could not help but be sorry about. To her great relief though it appeared that her friend might just be willing to forgive her. She watched as the girl shook her head sadly at Soran's explanation of why she had been turned away so rapidly at the borders. The ebony female reached out and touched Terra's cheek gently, trying to convey that she was sorry. She knew what it was like to be shunned for something that was completely beyond her control, in her case it had been her pelt colour, in Terra's it was her bloodline. It shamed Soran to know that the hybrid had been treated badly by someone on her borders, but she had not been able to do anything about it, Titania was her Alphess after all and the headstrong girl had found Terra first, there was nothing she could do. Because the pack was so young Soran had not wanted to rock the boat, she had not wanted to seem that she was insubordinate to Titania, instead she hoped that she had managed to diffuse the situation a little; in Titania's case Soran did trust her, she was sure that with Zalen and her own guidance that she would become a good leader, but she was young and that made her headstrong and a little temperamental, something that the sable female really hoped she would grow out of in time.
"I am sorry about the way you were treated Terra, sometimes wolves are blind to their own rational thought, sometimes they just cannot see past the hate." Soran said, sighing as she looked at the younger female with apologetic eyes. The topic of conversation turned to what Terra had been doing and the dark female could not help but raise her eyebrows in surprise. To the Beta wolf mating with a member of Inferni would be the worst thing that could ever happen to her, but Terra had not suffered at their hands the way that Soran had and she was indeed a half coyote, that did not matter to her. She smiled at the younger girl, wondering for a moment if the union could have caused the girl to become pregnant. "When was this Terra? Was it planned or an accident? Will you be seeing him again? Oh, you don't think you're pregnant do you?" The sable female asked, hoping that everything was alright with the younger girl. She smiled softly and patted the girl on the shoulder, before moving to cross her hands across her own lap.
The surprise Soran expressed at her actions was not helpful. Terra was already ashamed of her actions. Sure, she wasn't exactly in control of herself by any means, and she'd simply been following what her instincts told her to do. That didn't mean it was right. She should have had her first time with a mate that would protect and care for her, in case pups did come, not with someone part of a pack that despised her mischievous nature. She had been driven off by them more than once. It was only because Terra hadn't been thinking clearly, and neither had Helotes, that it had been allowed to happen at all.
Her ears twitched at the question. Explaining it was going to be difficult it appeared. The wolf's questions were perfectly valid, and probably something Terra should have thought about before. She had just been keeping too busy to think about it. Yesterday. Her voice was quiet, wishing that she had someone close to her that she could talk to about this. Terra didn't have anyone in her life to guide her. It wasn't exactly planned. I was just...really heated, and not thinking clearly, and it just sort of happened. Not exactly very good, but true. Terra hadn't been able to think clearly at all during that time with her body screaming it's desire at her. I don't think I will. Inferni doesn't like me very much. If I am pregnant... Terra looked up at Soran, eyes wide with worry. What would happen to her?
she's quiet when she's down strangers from other towns
nowhere to be found on this side of the scene
Sorry for the wait dear! WC: 533
The sable female was truly sorry for what had happened to the younger girl, at a different time, in a different place then it would never have happened, but alas it had and there was nothing that could be done about it now, the only thing that could be done was to apologise to the younger girl and hope that there would be no ill will between the pair of them. The news about the mating was a shock to the dark female as well, the ebony lady should not have been so shocked about this, after all this hybrid was young and the first few heats often caused actions that could not be controlled. The Beta wolf supposed that she was extremely lucky now as she was now of an age where she could suppress her behaviour, her cycles. It was something that came with age and experience and also with having had pups, it was something that would take Terra a while to master, but the dark female was sure that she would eventually get there. But for now the issue was that Terra had not managed to control her actions, something which was very easy to understand for the dark female, she remembered the heady feeling of lust that came with the first heats. Sometimes it was simply something that could not be controlled. She listened as the girl spoke, nodding as she did so, she wanted the girl to feel at ease. Soran wanted to be there for the hybrid girl, she wanted her to feel that she could talk to the older female, trust her, to know that if she needed help that she would receive it from the ebony female. She said that it had happened yesterday and Soran nodded, so, it would be too early to tell if she were pregnant then, then again the chances were that she might not be pregnant at all, after all the mating had only happened the once. But the dark female knew well enough that once was enough to become pregnant, every time she had conceived it had been a single event with a lover.
The girl continued to speak, saying that she had simply lost control of her actions, the sable female nodded and smiled slightly, patting the girl's shoulder once more as she looked at her. “That's something that I can understand, it's very easy to lose control when you're in heat.” Soran replied, her green eyes filled with warmth and what she hoped was something that might comfort the sandy girl. She spoke and explained that she would not be seeing the male, that Inferni were not fond of her, Soran let out a little snort of laughter as the girl said this. "I don't think that Inferni like anyone very much my darling," Soran replied, the laugh being at Inferni's expense rather than her young friend's. She smiled at the young girl and listened as she spoke again. "I will say that being a mother is a wonderful and rewarding experience, but it is not for everyone. Would you ever want children?" Soran asked her friend, her voice turning more serious as she did so.
Soran stroked her body reassuringly, bringing a small smile to Terra's lips. What had happened was nerve wracking to think about now. Looking back on it, the worst part was desiring it to happen again, as foolish as that was. The pleasure, and excitement, and pure rush of it all had been ecstatic. Terra had felt so alive, the heady flow running through her. Not with Helotes, certainly, and not in that manner, but Terra did desire to experience it again. The next time would be done properly though.
The understanding was enough to bring Terra to nuzzle into Soran's leg, taking in the small comfort that was there. So she wasn't the only one who had done such a thing. It was good to know others had repeated her mistake. Terra grinned at Soran's laughter. She had a point. Inferni wasn't exactly inviting in nature. Then again, neither was New Dawn. The thought removed her smile again, returning to the fact that she wasn't welcome near her friends.
Her ears twitched slightly at the question, returning to where they were instead of a bleak world where everyone she cared about abandoned her, calling her filthy because of what she was. Not understanding why it was asked Terra looked up at Soran, puzzled. Of course I do. I need a mate, I want to bring pups. It's important.
Set in the Halcyon Mountains 
