Fayne moved closer, warmth shared between them. He looked over, glad that she agreed about the north remaining the same. It seemed they both had that foolish deep love of that homeland, complete with the pride that drove them. In this new land there was no need for it, the north far behind them. The pride and love became pointless, even while it remained, forming who they were. He didn't know why she was embarrassed at his mention of liking hunting more than listening to stories. Perhaps she was the same, and was hoping he wouldn't ask her for a story.
Her enthusiasm at the mention of the bear set his tail wagging behind him. The hunting party had traveled further north than they usually go. The scout had said that a very large herd of caribou was there, with calves. The hunting party had decided to follow up on this, with the elders and the female alpha remaining behind to watch over the mothers and pups. A great white bear had wandered towards the territory at the same time though. It reached the pack, and started attacking. Three pups were slain instantly, two others to die of wounds later on. An elder died trying to drive off the bear, and a mother was permanently scarred.
Most stories of the north were like this, battles of life and death amidst the snow and ice. Tharin had just been a pup himself when it had happened, hardly even remembering it. The alpha stood strong, rallying the pack. The few members that could attack did on her command. They tore into the bear, and many lost their lives before she tore out it's throat. The pack was saved, and we had plenty of meat to eat after.
Fayne's eyes were wide with enthusiasm as she sat there listening to his story. Her orbs focused intently on his eyes and muzzle the whole entire time, she nodded every now and then to let him know she was listening. If he hadn't gathered it already from her intent demeanor. Her tail swayed slowly behind her with happiness in his sharing. Though, she story was sad to say the least. But, the alpha of his pack stood strong and carried the group to victory. Eventaully killing the bear and bringing home a plentiful meal. Many lives were lost in the process though. Fayne's expression dampened as he told her the story, fitting the mood of it all. The silver wolf admired the female Alpha who had kept them going, she hoped she could protect her family in the future just like that when it came down to it. The fiery admiration was clearly visible in her blue-green eyes. Fayne had never been one to hide her emotions, ever thought she ever thunk showed on her grey face. She was very flamboyant in the presence of those she felt comfortable around. Fayne filed Tharin into this category now that he had opened up with her. If it had seemed like she was prying for information, she didn't mean it that way. She was just a curious wolf.
As Tharin finished up his story Fayne's eyes were bright with excitement from hearing his daring tale. She had plenty of tales to tell of her own. She had fought off rogues by herself, and animals larger than herself such as cougars with the help of her brothers and sisters. She always remembered how Ezreal had been so eager for a battle and seemed to stumble into troublesome situations often. She chuckled silently at her own few good memories and at Tharin's comedic finish about how they had plenty of meat after their battle with the white bear. "That was a great story. Your Alpha sounds like a great wolf, I respect her for what she did that day. Alphas are supposed to stand strong for their pack, otherwise it will fall apart." That's exactly what happened to her own pack when Drosnav had been infected with the virus. Consumed by anger and depression when his own family turned on him, he split the pack into two. Becoming the leader of half of the pack, the half that was Luperci. Eventually he led a battle, attacking the weaker pure wolves corrupt with power. Fayne huffed in discontent at the though, what a bastard he was. If she ever had the chance to become an Alpha, she would be a kind and generous one. Always, looking out for her family no matter what circumstances they were under.
Fayne leaned into Tharin, not quite sure what to say anymore. So, she began to ramble on about herself, something she didn't do often. "I've had battles of my own. Nothing like that one though, but I've had to protect myself and others from dangers such as rogues. Not that it's a big deal or anything." She laughed at herself. Of course none of the fights she'd been in could ever compare to the one he'd just told her about. But it was good conversation. Fayne rolled her head to the side to look at Tharin. "Have you ever been in fights?" She asked him. At this point her curiosity was getting the best of her and she was letting it.
Fayne's attention was rapt as he spoke. It wasn't the best way of telling a story, told more in a matter of fact manner than a true storyteller would have done. The facts were presented in the way it had happened, the lives lost recorded along with how victory had been bought. She seemed enthusiastic despite this flaw though, and his tail wagged lightly. It was a good story, and Tharin hoped to be able to fight as well as that someday. The laughter at the end seemed a bit strange for the tale, with so many deaths. The fact that there had been food at the end was fact as well, turning the enemy into something to strengthen the pack instead of weaken it.
He nodded his head at her words. I don't think I could follow an alpha that wasn't as strong as my old ones were. He would be forced to challenge and question everything if they weren't, a very troublesome situation for him. Tharin was sure to be sent from the pack if he did such a thing. Fayne leaned into him, Tharin drinking in the warmth of company that he'd been starved from for so long. I've been in a fair share of battles. I fought with some bears, a couple cats. He hadn't always been successful either. His eyes darkened at the memory of the battle that cost Akira her life.
Fayne nodded in agreement at Tharin's statement. Her past alphas had been cowardly weak creatures. She had no respect for cowards. These days her self-respect had been diminished for she had been cowardly ever since she stepped food in this new land. Avoiding all contact from Luperci and avoiding her own Optime for, scared of what she may become. But, she kept telling herself to stay strong and that sometime soon she would defeat this fear. Fayne kept her gaze on Tharin as he recalled his past battles. When he finished she noticed the subtle sadness in his eyes, her own eyes mimicked his. Her brows furrowing downward to create a discontent look on her dark face. Whatever he was thinking, she knew it was best not to pester him about it. Fayne knew better than anyone that memories could be a dangerous thing. They have a way of playing with your emotions and can easily open up old scars in an instance. A sudden rustling was audible nearby. Her ears automatically swiveled in that direction, her head whipping around to look as well. Her nose wriggled in front of her as she sniffed out what the ruckus was.
A long tailed shrew was burrowing in the soil nearby. Fayne quickly turned back to her new companion with a fiery determination in her eyes. "Wait here for a minute. The silver pelted fae stood and crouched low keenly on the focusing small rodent. In order to cheer Tharin up she would catch it. If she could that was. She crept slowly towards it keeping her body low, her eyes wide, and her ears pointed. When she was less that six feet away she darted at it, and not thinking twice, pounced playfully on top of it using both of her front paws to squish it. She hadn't really thought about the attack, but her awkward pounce had instantly killed the tiny creature. Fayne gave an enthusiastic yelp happy that she had been able to catch the creature...even if it was tiny and would barely fill her or Tharin up. Lucky!! She gently picked the creature up with her jaws and proudly trotted over to Tharin dropping it at his feet. She grinned widely at him, her tail spun like a rudder behind her with excitement. "For you! To be honest, I usually can't hunt if my life depended on it. But, I guess today was my lucky day." She gave a small happy giggle and nosed the shrew closer to Tharin.
Pushing back memories took time. Lost in that instant where Akira was still alive, Tharin pulled himself away, trying to avoid the memories of the infection that stole her life. Fayne's words brought him back down to earth, and he watched with surprise as Fayne wandered off. It took him a few moments to focus on the small shrew that was nearby. So she was hunting. The concentration that rose off the silvery wolf was amusing for Tharin. It was easy prey for the hunter, he could already see how to catch it. He hadn't quite figured out that she wasn't the hunter he'd taken her for, thinking that she also hadn't paid attention in stories.
The pounce was very awkward, causing her ability to click in his mind. Her happy yelps brought a cheerful wag from him. She was so silly, just like a pup the way she carried the kill back. It was dropped down at his feet, offered over to him. He nodded his head, slightly surprised that she couldn't hunt. Thank you. He picked up the shrew, swallowing it down quickly. It made a nice snack. Her giggle was rather charming, earning her a bright grin from him. Thank you.
Fayne smiled generously at Tharin. It had been a while since she'd felt so open in another wolf's presence. Usually she found herself acting incredibly shy and not speaking much. But, he was different. She felt as though she could trust him and in her eyes that mean a lot. She gave him a slight nod when he thanked her and she watched as he gulped the shrew down in one bite. It was less of a meal then she thought it was, but it was the thought that counted right? Her eyes darted away with a slight embarrassment of her own poor hunting skills remembering that Tharin described his love of hunting. If she practiced enough, with or without a pack, she would become good at it eventually. She had to. Again, what wolf couldn't hunt. It was the staple skill of every wolf and she lacked it. The silver fae turned back to Tharin as she thanked her, he had a glorious bright smile on his face. He obviously had appreciated her efforts to kill the shrew for him and this brought a rather wide smile to her own face. Her tail thumped on the ground behind her excitedly. "It really wasn't that impressive, I'm sure you could hunt animals ten times the size of that shrew if you wanted to. That's something I'd like to see." Fayne leaned in to lick Tharin's chin affectionately happy that she'd been able to please him. She proceeded to sit herself down close to him absorbing the warmth from his body, her tail seemed to unintentionally wrap around the back of both of them.
Fayne had nothing to say as she sat there perfectly content with her new friend. She was glad that she'd met him today, and even gladder that he wasn't a Luperci. This brought an overwhelming sense of comfort to her that she was taking full advantage of. Even though he had witnessed her change, he seemed to be accepting of her now. He had already opened up to her by telling her one of his stories which she had enjoyed listening to. Fayne gazed at him from her peripherals as she thought completely unaware that she was doing so. She hoped she would come across others that hadn't been touched by the virus. Then her thoughts shifted to her family. The last time she'd seen them they were all pure wolves, on the run from Drosnav and the other half of the pack who had all been infected. She hoped that they had managed to escape him and find safety joining one of the many packs that inhabited this land. A longing expression took over her as she thought about just how much she missed them. Rowan, Ezreal, Her mother and father, she longed so badly to see them. Her eyes shifted to the ground as she played out the various situations they may have encountered, the worst case being found by Drosnav and the others.
Finish?
Fayne smiled right back at him, clearly a little shy but boisterous in nature. Chuckling at the description he thought about the shrew. Making it ten times larger would be about a fawn. He could take that down by himself, no problem. His chin was licked, and Tharin puffed himself up, automatically adopting a more dominant pose around the soft submissive behavior. He could get used to this, being around Fayne (hopefully she'd stay on four legs) and just relaxing together. He could hunt enough for the both of them, and they'd live out here. Wishful thinking, of course.
Her tail wrapped around him as she settled close. Tharin bumped her head gently, mouth silently claiming himself as her superior. It was perfectly fine, and Tharin felt at peace, letting the rest of the afternoon slide by, standing vigil over his new friend, happy to share this time.
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