Treading Farther
#1
[html]

wc 599


Ever since the dappled femme had found herself a home in the Valley pack she had not seemed to travel very far out of it's grasp. She felt so at home there, traveling only to investigate other packs, and even that seemed like a far journey to her. So what had compelled her to come all the way to this old ruined city? She could not give you an answer other than her curiosity drove her like the currents of the moon drove the sea. Though walking, trekking, seemed to bring back memories from when she was alone, a nomad of sorts. That life had been completed and she has moved on, but it was not dead. Feeling unknown territory under her paws was a feeling she would never get sick of.


Though this place seemed to be the definition of new territory to her. The remains of such a large city, though rotten over time still stood tall like an ancient pine. It was marvelous to say the least. How such things still stood from the rein of previous beings so very long ago. What they had accomplished in their time was extraordinary. It was almost intimidating what they had managed to do, to create and achieve. It could only make the fae wonder what had been going through their heads. What made them do what they had? Nobody would ever really know, and that was the wonder of it all.


Paws took the grey female deeper into ruins, examining buildings with marvelous eyes, amber seeming to glow in admiration. What treasures would this place hold? It was so quiet, nature had taken over, grassed had grown tall and birds had claimed many buildings as their own. It didn't seem like this place was overly active by predators. The ones who did seem to pass didn't appear permanent. Living here could get awfully lonely, she could imagine.


Tala's steps were halted as she came across a strange building. Winds were broken and covered in grime but all she needed to see was books. There were stacks of them on walls and bookcases scattered around the small shop. A bookstore, or, it had used to be one. Many of the items were destroyed, water and weather had destroyed the front section to almost a stack of molded papers and a washed up mashed potato like substance. The back though, dirty as it was, seemed like they may be readable to some extent. This caught her eyes like a mouse to an owl. She moved to the door, pushing it open with her Lupus nose and entered. She walked with care to avoid broken glass and padded into the dimly lit rear of the shop. Her eyes scanned shelves. Signs were almost to worn to read, letters here and then seemed to be missing completely at times. She had to know if they were even readable, the books could appear fine but hide destruction with lack of movement. She used a paw to pry a book from the lower shelf, it dropped to the ground with a soft thud. That was a good sign, right? Using the same paw she turned the cover, though extremely dusty and slightly grimy the letters were faded, but completely readable. The stub of a tail she sported wagged slightly. If she could find some books of interest she'd take them home to the Valley, she knew a small few who might have an interest in them aside from herself.


This was turning out to be quite the find, in the mind of the fae.


<style type="text/css">
.wintertable2 b {font-weight:bold; color:#262626; letter-spacing:1px; }
.wintertable2 .ooc { font-style:italic; padding:0px; font-family:verdana, sans-serif; font-size:11px;}
.wintertable2 p {text-indent:25px; padding:5px 10px; margin:0px;}
.wintertable2 {margin:0px auto; width:400px; background-color:#E4E4E4; background-image:url(http://i54.tinypic.com/m7wc61.png); background-position:top center; background-repeat:no-repeat; border:1px solid #000000; padding: 232px 0px 10px 0px; font-family: georgia, sans-serif; font-size:12px; color:#636363; line-height:16px; letter-spacing:.5px; text-align:justify;}
</style>
[/html]
#2
[html]

Table by Nuki! /// Please, don't feel the need to match me, just trying to put as much words in as possible. x3 SSWM: 912

Alyssum had visited Halifax many times ever since arriving to the vast lands of 'Souls. Though she was clung to the open home of Inferni, she was compelled to travel to the empty city every so often, attracted to their human leavings and towering buildings. Her most popular haunt there lately has been the University's library, in hopes of searching for books teaching fighting techniques. But, all she could find so far was yellowed parchments about lengthy, detailed literature with unreadable numbers that made no sense at all. The young female would usually toss these kind of books over her shoulder (gently, though), but she has once taken an interest in flying machines. But, she quickly got over that and dived into her hunt of the sparring books.

Her paw steps could have been silent, if it was not for the soft, noisy snow underfoot. It made a lavishing crunch every time she put pressure on any of her four paws, and it was starting to bother her from how much sound she was making. She was training in hopes of being a Hydra one day in the future, and being a noisy walker is not one of the many qualities that the rank commanded and what was necessary. Alyssum paused in her steps, the crunching that was echoing off the empty, grimy buildings slowly fading into the distance. Then, she started to walk again, but this time more carefully, as if she was treading on cracking ice. This time the noise level was more satisfying: only the brush of the paw pad, if nothing at all. She continued down the street in this action, a grin crossing her narrow muzzle in pleasure of her own small accomplishment.

As she shifted her weight from paw to paw, some snuffling caught her inside of her ears, making her stop in her quiet trek. As she heard the shifting noise again, Alyssum directed her head towards the sound. It was another dirty building, one out of another million. But, it was filled with books, though the ones in the front seemed destroyed, in even worst condition than the ones in Halifax; even the most aged and wore book there was at least readable. Using the same method, she stepped slowly forward, her steps inaudible on the cold, frosty ground. She knew smartly that this source of the sound was either friend or foe, or perhaps even prey, but to be on the safe side, she treated the current situation as if she was approaching a foe.

After carefully stepping over the glass, to avoid getting her paws cut up and most likely getting an infection, Alyssum entered the building. It was dusty, making her nose tingle with their interfere in them. But, the scent of another canine was strong. It was distinctive, as well, familiar too. She assumed it was Phoenix Valley. She had been told they did not have good relations, so she grew less stiff, but she still was reserve in case the canine suddenly snapped and went for a go at her. Although the young woman did acquire some training as an Hastati, she was fully confident of herself, since she had to be certain as when a warrior move its blade. Her mind had to be precise, and never a degree off unless she wanted her throat ripped out, if it came to that.

Around the bend, she saw a she-wolf, whom was in Lupus form like her as well. Though she was unsure of her age, it seemed that she was about the age as her, give or take some moons. Alyssum stayed where she stood, half concealed behind a leaned bookcase, and the other half out in the open to watch Tala. After watching the other female for a moment, who seemed to be dragging out a book, she decided to speak, but softly as to not to scare the wolf into attacking her out of fear. "Hello,"the coyote whispered softly, her large ears strained forward to hear her reply. She was curious for her reaction, to seeing a sudden figure appear behind her when she had her back turned. Even if she was inexperienced, she knew not to keep unguarded in unclaimed territories, where it was not safe.

Though she hoped she didn't appear hostile, she was certainly not letting herself tense and allow the she-wolf to catch her unguarded. Though Alyssum wasn't the one to quickly assume things about people, she learned that she had to be careful of the other packs, and had to be a good representative as well. Bad image for the clan could end in not only punishment, but also failing herself for trying to protect Inferni, from their borders to others' look on her clan. Of course, she did not want to come off as too overwhelming, since she did most likely surprise the other with her quick appearance, and may be as nice as Alyssum hoped she would be. The coyote didn't want to make enemies with the wolves in the different packs, but friends; so far, she had meet and got along with two different wolves from two different packs, and she hoped that she gave the impression that Inferni wasn't as mean as they thought, only when they need to be.

<style type="text/css">
.Alyssum_wonderland b {font-weight:bold; color:#4c4652; letter-spacing:1px; }
.Alyssum_wonderland .ooc { font-style:italic; padding:0px; font-family:verdana, sans-serif; font-size:11px;}
.Alyssum_wonderland p {text-indent:25px; padding:5px 10px; margin:0px;}
.Alyssum_wonderland {margin:0px auto; width:420px; background-color:#F7F6FF; border:1px solid #092C5F; border-top-style: hidden; -moz-border-radius-bottomright:20px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:20px; -webkit-border-bottom-left-radius:20px; -webkit-border-bottom-right-radius:20px; 0px 0px 0px 0px; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size:12px; color:#225580; line-height:16px; letter-spacing:.3px; text-align:justify;}
</style>
[/html]
#3
[html]
wc 620 , sorry, I didn't quite do as good as you. x[


Tala was starting to wonder what would have happened if she had not settled in the Valley. This was the direction she had been heading before she had tried to pass. If she had simply walked through like she had intended and found herself here would she had maybe stayed for a while to explore, learn and share? Who knows, not even she would have known what she would have done if she had found this on different terms. That was not her life anymore, but one could not help but wonder. The girl's curiosity lead her through many things good or bad. This surely would have been no different.


Though none of that mattered, she was in the Valley now, it was her home and what she learned here she could take back home with her. Knowledge was a big part of her rank as Locum, she was responsible for teaching, knowing and being a resource for any who needed it. Though the femme did not mind that, surely she liked it. Feeling useful to others for once gave her a feeling of belonging she had bot felt in a large amount of time. She tried so hard to know as much as possible, it was why she ventured to other areas of the region. She had been to Cercatori D'Arte, spoken to Shaw and she had pried many minds in her own pack for information countless times, The girl was like a dry sponge just waiting to absorb.


Her amber eyes were fixed on the books in front of her, now that she knew that they were legible and in a condition decent enough to travel her mind was intrigued. So many options sat in front of her. She pried an old novel from the shelf and let it fall to the floor with a soft thud as she opened some of the pages, eyes scanning words. It was a book of a story singing tunes of love and loss, or so the pages said. Well, interesting. Not what she was looking for though. She moved her body to the other side of the shelf with silent paws. Hmm, this seemed to suit her more. The sign read Fantasy, she had heard briefly of the genre, but never really explored it. She pried another novel and it's hard cover hit the ground with a more audible thump. She repeated her process of scanning the description and grinned, what were these things called dragons? She had no idea, but she wanted to know.


Paw steps in the floor caused her ears to swivel, she fell quiet, her movements began soft and agile, light paws and body ready for quick movement. Her head turned to see a small coyote hiding herself partially from sight. Her head turned to the side slightly as she listened to Alyssum speak. She didn't seem to be a threat, but one should never assume. "Hello to you too. How can I help you? My name is Tala Djose, miss." She let her head dip to the smaller male in respect but she did not take her eyes off her. She knew better than to expose herself like that to an unknown body without taking precaution. one would be foolish not to.


The scent of the girl was somewhat familiar, where had she smelt it before? It took just a moment for her to blink, Inferni. So she came from the pack opposite the quarry. She had heard terrible stories about that pack, none of them seemed to end on a good note. Though this girl did not seem to be on edge like she would have expected. Instead she seemed a bit meek, how peculiar.
"speech"


[/html]
#4
[html]

Don't worry, let's fall into a little rhythm x3 sswm: 581

It seemed that the Phoenix Valley woman was collecting the old books, which Alyssum couldn't see any harm in it. Many came here to harbor the leavings of the humans that disappeared so long ago, nearly a lifetime away. Though they were gone from 'Souls', their mark and impact lived on beyond themselves. Their high towers of ruble cities remained standing like ancient forests, their trunks planted firmly into the cracking cement; even if they were crumbling from the ground up, they stood tall and proud, coated in dark green ivy and adorned with weeds. Every time Alyssum steps paw into Halifax, even if she visited it many times before, she could not help be but struck with the blade of awe about the humans' simple accomplishment.

Tala had seemed to hear her before she spoken up, since she turned around expectingly. A frown accompanied by furrowed eyebrows which met their point crossed her face as the she-wolf didn't look really surprised. She had hoped that she was silent, but the glass may have alerted her, since it was hard to step on an empty space with the shards scattered all over the moldy floor. This could have been a test for the young woman to see how her stalking in the snow could have been applied to a real situation, but she obviously failed because of the glass. Even if she had not pass Tala's awareness this time, maybe next time she will produce a better result.

The coyote allowed her face to smooth out, her brows falling back into a comfortable place over her blue eyes. Not too raised, nor too squinted to make it seemed hostile. She reviewed what was going on, too see what could possibly happen. Both of the females were obviously spooked by the other, which was a good assumption for a sudden meeting from canines from different packs. Now that there was nothing to fear, since it seemed Tala was waiting for Alyssum to attack her, which wouldn't happen unless she was provoked, while the yearling expected the opposite. She listened to the Phoenix Valley woman introduce herself, and maybe if they made small talk it could smooth things over and could make this interaction more comfortable than awkward and tense.

"My name is Alyssum de Fonte, Hastati of Inferni,"she muttered, bowing as best as she could, since it wasn't quite easily done unless in Optime form. "I was coming to see what was the noise that was coming here. Though many visit Halifax, it is so vast that it is rare to meet another at the same time." It was true; the young woman had not even began to venture much into Halifax, mainly to the University and back. There was a great portion that was still left untouched by Alyssum's curious paws, and they itched at the thought of the prospect of exploring the abandon city. She could imagine what treasures were waiting, undiscovered by the many raids of various canines that sought valuables. But, one thing was certain, and there was one type of spoils that never seem to run out: books.

<style type="text/css">
.Alyssum_wonderland b {font-weight:bold; color:#4c4652; letter-spacing:1px; }
.Alyssum_wonderland .ooc { font-style:italic; padding:0px; font-family:verdana, sans-serif; font-size:11px;}
.Alyssum_wonderland p {text-indent:25px; padding:5px 10px; margin:0px;}
.Alyssum_wonderland {margin:0px auto; width:420px; background-color:#F7F6FF; border:1px solid #092C5F; border-top-style: hidden; -moz-border-radius-bottomright:20px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:20px; -webkit-border-bottom-left-radius:20px; -webkit-border-bottom-right-radius:20px; 0px 0px 0px 0px; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size:12px; color:#225580; line-height:16px; letter-spacing:.3px; text-align:justify;}
</style>
[/html]


Forum Jump: