Return to the mounatain [J]
#1
[html]
OOC: A not-so-good first post back. Hello again everyone Smile

A lot had changed since the pair had last travelled in the shadow of the mountain. Summer had faded into a crisp fall and the leaves had gone from green to brilliant shades of red and yellow that now littered the ground. Even their fur had gone from the lighter shades of summer to the darker, thicker shades of winter. The most stunning change of all however was the deterioration of the older wolf and in consequence, her daughter.


Willow was thin, to the point of being emaciated, with bones jutting out harshly from her loosely hanging skin. Her fur had lost all of its sheen and gray patches were prominent throughout her coat. A coating covered her eyes, causing blindness and she leaned heavily against Sequoia as they walked, her body shaking with effort with every step she took.


Sequoia too had grown thinner and her fur had lost some of its healthy coloring, though she was nowhere near as ill as her mother. Her eyes were still bright and alert, however, and they dated from side to side as she walked. It had been her decision to make the journey back to Mt. Oromocto and find the pack that had helped them before. She hoped that their rather rude departure would be forgiven and that they would be allowed to stay this time. She needed the help in caring for both her mother and herself, as much as it wounded her pride to admit.


Finally they reached the point where the faintest smell of the pack infiltrated the foliage and the ground. Sequoia stopped, pausing to make sure that Willow was stable enough against her. She then took in a deep breath to fill her lungs before calling out in a long, loud howl that spoke of her purpose and of her distress. She stopped only when she had no more air left and then stood, waiting for an answer.

[/html]
#2
[html]
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b137/ ... lity_1.png); background-color:#b69062; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-position: top; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right:0px; padding-top: 285px; border-radius:15px; -moz-border-radius:15px; -webkit-border-radius:15px; border-bottom-left-radius:15px; border-top-right-radius:15px; -moz-border-bottom-left-radius:15px; -webkit-border-top-right-radius:15px; -moz-border-bottom-left-radius:15px; -webkit-border-top-right-radius:15px;">

ooc: Hello again!

Something had gone missing. The woman was certain of it, but for the life of her could place her paw on it. It was the darnest thing to know something was there, then a moment later find it out of place or gone. But it led one to wonder, had it been there at all? Or was this just her imagination telling of something strange? Either way, the Nomad female was bothered, and as a result, her Lambda would be bothered as well.

As she mulled around the den searching for her prized tuff of white rabbit fur, she whined in agitation and mumbled to herself about where she could have left it. It seemed like a less important matter to ponder on when the hierarchy of the Family was still very fragile, yet if she spent all her time pondering on it, she would reason, she would have gone mad with thought til she was muttering to herself for other reasons. Whatever distraction she could afford, she was glad for, even if it did tickle her brain to the point of irritability. And of course her mate was no help in bringing an end to this search. Apparently he was intent on watching her turn the den this way and that to find what was perhaps long gone. If only she could find her fur...

The search was brought to a sudden halt as a call both familiar and long since heard pulled the proud head and ears to attention. The voice brought back the memory of a fateful night when the lands of Sangi'lak played host to a mother and daughter pair. Short-lived but fortuitous, she recalled that encounter as well as the disappointment in finding the den abandoned soon after. Why now the autumn woman would hear the wolf's call was left to speculation until an explanation was given. A motivation which drew the she-wolf from her den and awkwardly down the mountain steppes to greet the call as expediently as her pregnant body would allow.

She did not howl in return but uttered a sound akin to a bark instead. The distance from the mountain to border was well enough that a favoring breeze was sure to carry her voice, provided a wild zephyr did not choose then to smother her greeting. It would not have its chance with the image of the earth hued wolf and grey mother coming into view in little time at all, though what stood before the Nomad was not the same vision she had kept in her mind. Her brows furrowed beneath their auburn veil in concern for the wellbeing of the pai, and a soft whine moved the still air as she drew nearer and gently graced a sympathetic nose to a weathered cheek..


465 words.



[/html]
#3
[html]

It wasn’t long after her howl had died that Sequoia heard the answering bark. It was like a whisper, an echo of the much louder sound, and she knew that it would take the leader a few minutes to reach them. The large wolf placed her head gently over her mother’s, sheltering her from the wind that ebbed and flowed as they waited. Her ears pinned back slightly against her head as she took in the stench of death that now lingered on Willow’s fur. It was overwhelming and she turned her face away from the smell. She did not want to think about that right now.


It took longer than she expected for X’yrin to greet them at the border but finally she appeared in the distance. Sequoia’s ears perked and her body became less tense as she let out a sigh of relief. The burden that she had bared alone did not seem so heavy now that she might have someone to share it with. She glanced to the older wolf beside her and nudged her very gently with her nose. “X’yrin is coming, Mom.” The elder wolf nodded slowly, the faintest hint of a smile forming on her gray lips.


They stood where they were until X’yrin was upon them. Without words the leader pressed her nose into Sequoia’s cheek and the earthen hued wolf closed her eyes and as a small whine escaped her. She had not imagined the kindness of this wolf when they last had met and for that she was grateful. She pulled back after a silent moment and looked X’yrin over. She noticed the round belly and the tell-tale sign of pups but gave no mention of it, only a slight wag of her tail in silent congratulations. “Thank you for coming.”

[/html]
#4
Post was accidentally overwritten >.<
#5
[html]

Leaving the mountain had been harder than either of them would have thought. They were devastated, both on an emotional level and on a physical level. Food had been scare, even scarcer since the hurricane blew past, leaving both of the wolves weak and vulnerable. Sequoia, strong as she was, was not used to surviving on her own and caring singularly for her mother was not something she was capable of. It had been a difficult decision on her part to make the journey back to the mountain and the pack that they had spent only a night with. She was not sure how they return would be greeted.


Her fears were put to rest, however, as X’yrin showed only concern for the pair. If she had been offended at their leaving she did not show it now. Sequoia opened her mouth to speak at the first question, her speech already prepared, but as X’yrin went on she closed it again and waited for the Issor to finish. She took in a deep breath and spoke in her low, melodious voice.


“The storm did not help our condition but it is my own failings that bring us to your border.” The large wolf hung her head in shame, her ears pinning back against her head. “I.. am not strong enough to care for my mother, or even for myself. We need help.. the protection of a pack.” Sequoia glanced to her mother, gaining strength from the fragile wolf’s soft smile and then continued. “We would like to join Sangi’lak”

[/html]
#6
[html]
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b137/ ... lity_1.png); background-color:#b69062; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-position: top; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right:0px; padding-top: 285px; border-radius:15px; -moz-border-radius:15px; -webkit-border-radius:15px; border-bottom-left-radius:15px; border-top-right-radius:15px; -moz-border-bottom-left-radius:15px; -webkit-border-top-right-radius:15px; -moz-border-bottom-left-radius:15px; -webkit-border-top-right-radius:15px;">

ooc:

She listened patiently, all the while looking over the two as Sequoia retold the circumstances that brought them to the mountain borders. She was not bothered that they had returned, their need was dire and from their prior visit they had not caused trouble and were agreeable to the others of the Family. But it was the silent parting of the pair that kept the woman silent, even after they requested proper admittance into Sangi’lak. They were weak now and even if she granted them sanctuary who was to say they would not up and leave again once their strength was regained? Outright, the Nomad did not perceive the pair devious to commit the unkind act, but she would have been ignorant not to consider it. And in their weakened state, they would do little until recovered. A take on resources and room… but had the Issor not seem them better fit? At least Sequoia who lovingly cared for her mother.

In good conscience, she could not turn them away, but neither could she ignore the circumstances and their consequences. And so, she shared them.

“Miss Willow, Sequoia. It is not in the Family’s nature to turn down aid when requested, but I must impress the conditions of your joining. We offered our home to you as guests before, and as guests you were not obliged to contribute or replenish our stock, and we do not ask that of you now. But know that when you are recovered Sequoia-“ her gaze rested on the female’s lowered head “-you will be expected to train as the rest of us and aid in our prosperity. Miss Willow, I assure you, you shall not be overlooked. When your strength is reclaimed I expect to receive the value of your experiences. What one can learn from the years lived before their lives are most invaluable and cherished to the Nomad culture. I sincerely hope you will contribute what knowledge you have and perhaps aid me during…when my time to birth this life inside me is due.

Do you both understand and accept your conditions?”

350 words.



[/html]
#7
[html]

Sequoia listened with rapt attention, though she kept her head bowed. Only when X’yrin had finished speaking did she breathe a heavy sigh of relief. The conditions were fair enough and nothing less than what she had expected. The kindness shown them this time would not go unpaid. She enjoyed working with a family and she hoped that the pack would become that for her and for her mother.


She dipped her head in agreement but it was Willow who spoke first, her voice soft and fragile. “I understand. Thank you, X’yrin.” Her voice cracked on the last word, emotion raw in her throat. Sequoia pushed against her mother and gave her own reply. “I do as well. We’ll stick around this time.” She smiled slightly with her gratitude and they both waited for what was to come next.

[/html]
#8
[html]

Welcome to Sangi'lak!

Cast aside your title as Wanderer and embrace the name of Nomad.

Please rest your paws upon these lands and come to call it home. You have been welcomed into Sangi'lak as part of our Family and we hope to see you flourish within it. But first...

  • As a Prospective member, you are encouraged to learn our CULTURE and bond with your fellow members to earn renown among them.
  • Be sure to read through the EXPECTATIONS to learn immediate ways you can earn your TROPHIES and ascend through the ranks.
  • And above all else, do your best to uphold the pack creed; "FAMILY ABOVE ALL ELSE". Do what you can for your fellow member and surely the aid will be returned to you in time.

If you or your character are having trouble acclimating to pack life, please don't hesitate to let the Leaders know and we will accommodate you to the best of our abilities.

Again, welcome to your new home! We are all excited to RP with you! So get your first thread up soon!!! Big Grin

[/html]


Forum Jump: