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Shiloh Hills and Rabbit Lake
Time could only tell what would happen to her in the new and enormous place. It was such a different world here; things seemed so unnatural at times it made Anu’s head spin. Even the wolves she called family were different then she was in many ways. Instead of hunting as a pack, they herded and gathered their prey, but she was still not sure if they were allowed to slaughter the cattle or not.
She was growing accustomed to all of it, and even though it went against her instincts she enjoyed watching over them and protecting them against any that sought them harm. Soon enough she would feel so attached she would cringe at the thought of slaughter. Anu looked to the outskirts of the pack lands for nourishment. Hoping not to stumble on another protected territory during the quest.
It was nice to run again, as her wolf form. It brought her closer to the ground, back to the earth and to all things natural. Even though she was comfortable in her upright stage, four paws always just made more sense to her then two. When hands were not needed, she kept horizontal.
The rocky surface of the beach had been difficult to maneuver around and took her most of the day to get beyond it. She would need to find another way around the rocks, if she was to make it back home before dark and if she didn’t want to sleep in a tree. Her little hole in the ground had grown comfortable and much better then her traveling accommodation, which usually consisted of sleep under shrubbery.
It was another rainy and dreary day that left the wolfess in a sort of a mixture of a mood. She would rather have sunshine and chirping birds as she trotted though yet another new place. Yet as her cobalt eyes took in all of the surrounds it was no longer a strange place but slightly familiar. This forest that never ended called to the fey, asking her to venture ever deeper. She could not ignore that call, and though the light of the sun was weak, her green children were bright with life and made Anu’s heart sing.
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[html] Haiiii 
She had been trying to get out of the lands a little bit more, going out farther and farther each day. Her nose hadn't picked up Conri's scent for the last couple of days, just old, random whiffs of it here and there, so she wasn't so worried. And she knew that if she called, Lucifer or Savinan would be right there to help her. She was mid-way through her pregnancy, and she didn't want to risk going too far away from home just yet. She was still very wary, just in case she did see her ex-mate, though. Naniko walked down a familiar path through Twilight Vale, heading toward the lake that they had recently fully claimed.
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anu will help with the sadness!
Her steps were light, as if she floated over the damp ground below her. Paws brushed again green grasses, and she barely touched them. Her nose took in the light scent that the breeze brought her, tainted with a distant pack border but also with, and dominantly, water. The territory was far off, maybe even beyond the water her nose had found. The round black spot lifted to meet the next gust of air, and she breathed it in sweetly. As always in a new land it brought mysteries to her, but in a very rare moment she was unafraid.
It took her little time to find the lake; its round shore tempted her to run the loop, and gave a miraculous view around each bend. With her light heart she skirted across the shore certain that nothing upsetting could come to her, absorbed in such a mood. Her sandy grey colored fur fluttered in the lakeside winds and if her coat had been any thinner she would have had a chill. Was fall on its way? Or was summer just having a weak moment? Unknown to Anu the sun still displayed a determined demeanor behind thick clouds.
She wouldn’t be alone for much longer. Of course her nose told her everything before her eyes could see of her ears could hear. Anu slowed to a trot, sure she was still outside the unknown pack’s territory but still weary that the wolfess would be defensive of her close home. Cobalt eyes glanced across the shore to see a distant white figure, and scurried under the nearest tree cover. It quickly became a game of stalk and observe.
Closer she got, not truly caring if this unknown female had seen her yet or not Anu watch with curious eyes. There was an invisible weight that held the female’s shoulders in a slight slump, and Anu could not help but notice the drop of her stomach. Could this female be pregnant? She seemed so unhappy… How could such a beautiful mother-to-be seem so troubled?
“Hello.” It was her usually greeting, opening it up so that she could walk beside her with careful distance. She was smaller as always and had yet to be a threat to any wolf in these lands. “I wish the sun would come out of hiding and stay, I’m sick of theses games it plays.” She looked up at the sky, then back at the snow coated fey. “I bet this lake sparkles when it’s out.” Anu gave a soft smile, hoping to cheer her up.
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Some days everything felt right...but some days it all felt horribly wrong. She'd wished so many times that this had all just been some horrible dream that she'd wake up from soon, but time had proven again and again that she was only trying to kid herself. She had promised herself a long time ago that she would never resort to trying to hurt herself to feel better, and that she wouldn't cry over things she couldn't control...but it was so hard to keep that deal. The sky matched her mood, dark, dreary. It didn't register to her that she was being spoken to until the female was right in front of her, and by that time the greeting part of it was already over. "I...yes, I suppose it does. I didn't notice it before. I can see why Conri.." She stopped for a moment, cutting off, "wanted the entire thing. It's beautiful. Even now, when it's cloudy it's wonderful. Deep and dark."
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oh nooo.....
She smelled of other wolves, and Anu took a guess that she was a pack wolf. Anu liked that, having found a pack of her own, she didn’t want to be the lone wolf that all the pack wolves looked at strangely wondering why she couldn’t find a place to fit in. Nothing in the females mannerisms said that Anu wasn’t in a place she didn’t belong, easing any fears she held.
The white wolf still looked gloomy, saddened by misfortune that Anu wanted to understand. She couldn’t stand it when others were upset, and would rather take it upon herself then have someone else bear it alone. Though she held no tries to this wolf, Anu wanted her to be happy, who ever she was. Everyone deserved to be happy.
“Do you lives close?” Anu asked curiously. “I am envious of anyone that has this view from their backyard”, she thought aloud. She guessed it was time for introductions. “I’m Anu of Phoenix Valley.” She sat facing the white female her tail swishing casually back and forth, watching her instead of the lake and enjoying all the views the day had given her.
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She'd heard about the new pack that Iskata and Deuce had started...she wasn't sure who that other wolf was that they were with, though. Naniko had known that someday she would have the chance to be an alpha, too, but she'd never considered joining up with her mother, even when she and Conri had been out on their own. They could have made a pack with her. But instead they'd chosen to go their own way. Maybe it was a "leaving the nest" sort of thing. She didn't want to live in Iskata's shadow. Anu's bright disposition made her smile, and she nodded at the introduction. "Naniko D'angelo. Yeah...actually, I do. I'm the leader of the pack that claims this lake. But don't worry...we're not too particular. We don't mind company every once in a while.""How's my mother doing in Phoenix Valley? She's one of the leaders there, I think. Iskata." Adopted mother...but the only mother she'd ever known.
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All these new packs made her head spin. This was such a newly settled land that Anu was almost part of discovery and the formation. She got to one of the first few to be accepted into the ranks of the young packs and was eager to know about all of the others that lived near by.
The bottom of her paws almost burned when Naniko told her she owned this lake, how could she have been so foolish to think that a pregnant female would stray from her homelands, but then again she shouldn’t go without company for to long. Anu convinced herself that it was alright she had wandered a little to far, as long as she took the gloom from her new friend.
Her ears perked when Naniko spoke of her Matriarch. Anu has only really spoke with her once, but that was all she needed to know her leader was a good one. She was kind and understanding while hardworking. “It’s nice to meet you Naniko. Iskata is our Matriarch and is very well.” Her smile gew as she gave a question, “does she know she will be a grandmother?” Anu wanted to know badly, when the pups would be here and what she would name them.
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"Haha. Yeah, she knows. I was pregnant once before, actually, a few months ago, but that litter didn't survive" Times were hard nowadays, and it had been a combination of too much activity, not enough awareness, and dumb luck that she lost that litter. She had been upset about it before, and would still think of those five pups with fondness and love...but now she had done it again, fallen for these babies all over again. She was in love with the very idea of them, and could barely wait for them to get here. Naniko had watched everyone around her raise pups again and again, and had even raised a few herself, but these would be her own...hers and Conri's. "I can see where you'd get confused, too...our border's not as clearly marked as it was before, because I haven't been getting out very much. Mostly resting. My friend Savina freaks out if I don't take a break every once in a while." She grinned, her tail sweeping back and forth. "I'll bring the little ones to Phoenix Valley to see you all when they're big enough." She promised. Naniko bounced up down on her toes, looking at Anu, then at the lake. "It's hot" She commented, leaning toward the water. She put her paw in, sweeping some water toward Anu in a high arc.
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All the thoughts of pregnancies was making her head throb slightly. Anu had never had her own, and the worst part of it all was she never even tried. In her head she had convinced herself she was barren, just unable and have them so why even try? Another part had always just said she needed a mate first; pups would need to come second.
Happy that Naniko was talking, her sad mood flouting far away from the pair. With her mission complete Anu felt the feeling of relaxation creep into her limbs. With the apparent life changing happenings discussed and out of the way her eyes wondered back to the lake. Words drifted to her ears, making them perk forward.
Naniko was talkative now, furthering her relaxation. Anu began to think of how the backs boarders were situated, but now that she was friends with the alpha, she should be welcome now. There was something about her that Anu could not grasp, her eyes found it hard to stray from her pure alabaster face and emerald eyes. Anu wondered if her pups would be as snow white as she was.
All thoughts were shattered when the cool water hit her face. She backed up in shock, but recovered quickly. Suddenly full of energy Anu rose and dropped her two from paws into the water, forgetting about her child baring woes. Face soaked with water she began to retaliate with her own splashing. She had sought out to lighten Naniko’s mood, and instead it was the opposite.
“Come on now, you don’t want to get your pretty fur wet.” She smiled and hope to catch her eye.
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Naniko had never really been one for appearances. She didn't know if she was considered a beautiful wolf or an average one, and didn't really mind either way. Even if her looks were considered to be below average, she wouldn't mind. She had a strong pack and good friends who she could rely on, so she was able to have confidence in herself, knowing that she had those wolves there to support her if she ever got into any trouble. It was true that she had been missing Conri a lot lately, but she was also discovering that in his absence, she had a sort of strange freedom. She was leading the pack by herself, now, not with the help of a co-leader. Lucifer was there, in the "Gamma" rank, and she was grateful for his support, but all of the big decisions would be made by her. It had seemed like a lot in the beginning, too much, maybe, but now Naniko was slowly relaxing into the role. She grinned when she was splashed at, going into the water and kicking a bit more toward the other female. When Anu spoke she looked up, not speaking for a few moments, just looking at her. The first thing that Naniko usually noticed about a wolf was their eyes--Anu's eyes were striking. What a beautiful, clear blue. For the longest time she had wished for eyes like that, when she had been growing up; if she'd had blue eyes, she would have looked exactly like her mother Kaelyn. But it had been her sister Pontiac who had gotten the color. "I don't mind..."
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So sorry for the delay!
She had never really wanted to be beautiful, though she knew she wasn’t, it had never been something that she longed for. She did indeed notice beauty in the world around her. Flowers with wondrous and unique color, petals that held such a rounded shape that almost looked unnatural. She saw it in the sky, the trees, in the very earth that they stood on and the water they played in. It was hard not to see it, and Anu couldn’t help but see it in Naniko.
For others the feelings that ran through Anu would confuse them beyond consciousness, but she was used to it and came to understand them as constant companions and ignored them easily. Anu always sought answers but rarely in herself. She could not but wonder if she was running from something or someone, right into Anu. Happy to ignore all of the questions that ran through her head she stomped in the water playfully.
As she had hoped Naniko’s eyes met hers, and Anu noticed the latch that hooked them together. She didn’t mind either, that Anu was staring with a smile and not stopping. It was then that she took a step back, remembering that it was a wet coat that she really didn’t mind, not a gawking Anu.
“Then you wouldn’t mind a game of chase?” it was time to get moving, or Anu would need to dunk herself in the middle of the lake. Her eyes grew more intense, and her font end lowered slightly. Anu meant she would be the one chasing, as always, and she better run.
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[html] xD I should be the one who's apologizing!
It had been a while since she had played a good game of Chase. She used to play games with her mother all the time, with both Kaelyn and Iskata, and Physe was always a good one to tag along with and hang out with...but she hadn't had the chance to lately. Things had been going so strangely lately, with everything that had happened...it was nice to think about something else for a change. "Sure!" She exited the water, shaking her pelt out gently (she didn't want to get Anu wet) and taking a few steps foward. She would be a little slower...but maybe she'd get a head start! Naniko dug her claws into the ground, pulling up bits of dirt as she began to run off into the trees. If she had any benifit in this situation it was the fact that she knew the territory.
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your always worth the wait!!
She had been away so long, off in the world just existing. She had missed out on a lot of things that you just can’t do alone. Naniko had agreed to run with her, and she brightened with a glee that she knew she had to run off or get caught having. She watched the white wolf take off out of the water, only to give her coat a gentle shake that almost broke the excitement that rushed through her veins. She stood from her crouch to watch and see if she really would play with her. I seemed immature for her to want to play, but it was something programmed in her that she would never loose.
Suddenly Naniko took off, leaving Anu in the dust. Taken slightly aback she recovered with a deep breath and ran after the white female. The sandy fey dodged large trees as she moved her paws as fast she could. If she had anything, she had speed, her small body allowed her to move over the ground with almost no effort. She found her easily, bright against the green foliage. Smiling she slowed her pace, having run most of her unnecessary excitement off, she wanted to give Naniko just a little more of a chance before tackling her.
Softly, she corrected her ever-moving mind. It was impossible to forget that Naniko was expecting, and Anu didn’t want to complicate things or hurt her. Determined to reach her, though the forest became denser with undergrowth Anu ran on. She had begun to only see patches of her white coat between the flora, and didn’t want to lose her all together. Maybe she wasn’t fast enough and maybe she couldn’t catch her.
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She was large but she was swift, her paws making little sound on the soft forest floor. They had made this pack their home and Naniko had explored every inch of the lands within a week or moving in. She was glad to say that she knew where she was, and that she knew exactly where to go. She started toward a complex of small caves that lay to the Western side of the lake, legs pumping. She'd read somewhere that exercising was good for pregnant human women...so surely it applies for wolves as well. As long as she ate enough to replenish her energy later on, she would be fine. Naniko was mostly worried about tripping and falling, like she had the last time. She didn't want anything to happen to these babies. Panting, the white one looked back behind herself, slowing down a little as she reached the caves. She ducked inside one, sitting near the entrance and watching for a sign of Anu.
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!
She sprinted, having loss sight of Naniko. She was determined more then ever to mind her, and raced full speed after her scent. Now that she could no longer see her, the game had turned into ‘hide and seek’, rather then tag. Ever diligent, her nose hung low to the ground finding the scent easily on the fresh trail. She wanted to call out to her, but this would make for a better game, not like she would reply.
Paws moved swiftly until the scent disappeared, making her white tipped face shoot upward. Back tracking she managed to find where the trail ended. She looked to a large thicket that stretched out before her, and with no other option she dove head first into it.
Jumping over what she could and thrashing through the rest Anu caught as little of the thorn bushes and the vines as she could. Stumbling out into a small clearing she noticed the white female before the cave she sat inside. Even with the dark sky and the shadowed opening, white fur stood bright against it all.
She was panting now, huffing the first words that came to her, “I got you.” Smiling weakly Anu padded over to the far more composed female and sat.
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[html] Anu's is more than twice Nani's age XD
"That's right, you did" She grinned at the other. Naniko had been expecting some sort of a tackle, or maybe a push or something, but Anu wasn't trying any of that. When she thought about it she realized that it was probably a good idea that she hadn't; if she hit Naniko in just the wrong spot, something could have happened to the babies. White tail thumped against the ground. She was stuck in this form for the time being, until her pregnancy was over. She had picked her lupine form over the other two forms because she'd thought that it would be safer for the puppies. Lesss of a chance she could fall. When Anu came closer her ears lowered and she stood up, rear end wiggling back and forth like an overly excited pup. She nudged the fem beneath the chin in a friendly manner. "I actually kind of like this form...it's more natural-feeling. I never had a problem with shifting...but this is kind of nice" She sat back, looking at the sky.
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age has nothing to do with anything! … though I’ve been thinking about reducing it… :x
Anu smiled at her words, of course she had lost the chase, but it was nice that Naniko played along with her. With the energy gone she felt at ease next to her friend. The blue eyed wolf watched as Naniko stood and approached her. Her quick touch under the chin was easy and swift, and her wagging tail made Anu wag her own.
As if she had known her for all her years, Anu nudged her cheek as Naniko passed. It was easy for Anu to make friends, quickly easing into comfortable state with just about anyone. After introductions were made she was eager to get deep into another’s life, and happy to divulge just about anything. To Anu there was no reason to not trust her, or anyone else.
She had always enjoyed her wolf form, it was the easiest when you wanted to get around quickly and Anu had always felt most comfortable in it. She stood to be right beside her new friend, “I like it too, I’ve always felt that because I was born in it, it has be the most comfortable.” She tested all four of her paws on the ground, though not to interested in exercising them again.
Lazily she sat again, looking around at their surroundings and inhaled deeply it smelled on Naniko, and thus Twilight Vale. “I guess we’re in your territory now?” She asked with a sly grin. “and I think that the sky is clearing.” Oh the simple joys of good company and a sunny day.
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[html] Close this and start a new one?
She really liked being around other friendly wolves, and was glad to add Anu amongst her small circle of friends. There weren't many who would trek all the way to Twilight Vale to see her, but she would be fine with going back and forth to Phoenix Valley if Anu would come every once in a while to see her here. It was a long journey, she knew, but worth it to stay connected. "I should really be getting back to the house, though. Got some more work to do. It was really nice meeting you and running around--I haven't had a good run in ages. I'll come to Phoenix Valley to see you next--if you'd like, anyway"
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yes!
Was the day coming to an end, right when the clouds were disappearing? She met the girl’s gaze when she spoke, understanding how she needed to have rest of the day to herself. It was hard to loose a day, when you were an alpha and had duties to your pack.
Part of her wanted to be disappointed, but she only smiled, glad that she wanted to come to her home and visit. Though Anu was sure that she did not need to be traveling. “I can always come back.” She stated simply, happy to run with her again, and see her lake. Anu needed to see her of course, there was still so much she wanted to know about her.
She knew that Naniko was welcome in her home, being Iskata’s daughter, so she didn’t need to open the boarders to her. “I’ll be watching for you, incase you come to visit.” Anu might even be waiting. She stood again, and trotted off, looking back twice before losing herself in the forest.
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