Falsko's Laire

[Kassdc]

Kijah watched the wolf stand to full height. Damn he was tall, one would have to be insane to think they could do a sneak attack on him. He had all the cleverness and acute senses of an experienced wolf well into adulthood. She couldn't help but smile at his act, she knew full well he had her pin pointed in the trees. She was startled when he threw down his knife.

He offered part of the meal to her. That wasn't the gesture of one who is waiting to attack, but still.

"I assure you I mean you and your compainions no harm. I am unarmed and only came up on the camp as I was out for a morning run. I thank you for your invitation and would gladly take your word wolf, but it is your compainions that are keeping me in my place. I can smell the tension in the air and know you have atleast two other compainions with you. I do not walk into things so blindly, but if I had your word I would come out and stop at a comfortable distance to you and your compainions and allow a search of my person for your satisfaction that I am hiding nothing."

[Anjan]

OOC: Caída has kind of moved in this direction for a while and is now pretty close so I thought I would post a link to the beginning of it and the continuation here. Last post there is the same as here. I hope I didn't miss out to much...
A Hunt in the Night

The scent of wolf came upon the morning breeze, wolf and something more. The wolf scent was faint yet strong, as if it was new and hadn’t settled in place. The other scent was old and worn down into the air as if it had been there a long time. It smelled human, surprisingly human without being a true human scent. I was mesmerized and curious for the smell of wolf and human blended sometimes and I was certain that they were still quite some bit away from me but they where together. I couldn’t tell how many they were at the moment. No not that precise. The breeze had died and I was left with the residue of what I had felt earlier.

The morning was moving fast forwards and dawn had been left behind me as I followed the creek downstream. I silently moved through the shrubberies and then it came again. So strong, so incredibly strong that I knew I was but a short distant away from them, who ever they were. My gaze found a tree a bit back from the creek with large branches and foliage that would cover my position but allow me to watch. I easily climbed to the branch I had chosen from my ground position and walked out until I could get a good view of what lay ahead and below.

I could glimpse something that must have been a cave or a den of some kind. I stretched my lean and spotted body out on the branch. Letting the tail fall to a side and balance me. Then I started to watch what was happening. After but a few moment on my branch I saw a black wolf with cloths dragging from his mouth dash towards the creek close to where I lay. I froze on my branch and realised the wind was in my favour and he would not feel my scent unless he was almost under my branch – and I was on the wrong side of the stream for that. I watched as he made slew the rabbit, and I knew for certain that it was a he for the male scent was strong about him. As he returned towards the cave I realised that my position had not been as brilliant as it had seemed. I could just see the entrance far of. But I could not get a good view of what was happening on ground level for all the trees that was in the way.

I moved swiftly out of my tree, as I had already spotted one on the other side of the small stream that should hold a better view. It was taller then the other trees and its branches was just what this Leopard wanted for this morning. I quickly sprang up the thick tree trunk and entered the foliage world of this ancient tree. I looked down and my view was almost perfect of the area close to the cave entrance. I purred to myself and was pleased; I hadn’t done anything like this for years. I watched as a black-haired woman approached and I watched as they both tensed and their voices rang out into the open. I was still hidden in my foliage world when the breeze shifted and I froze. A part of me knew that the best thing was to scramble, to leave this area at once. But another longed for some company however brief and violent it might be and I had listened to the solitary being in me for close to two years now. So I stayed in my high tree knowing that my scent would travel to them. Knowing that they would be puzzled for my specie did not belong here in this temperate wood…

[aftermidnight8]

Shad bristled when Tes shoved him backwards. He quickly regained his balance and snarled at her. "I think I'm perfectly capable of defending my own home," he snapped. He heard the twigs break as quickly as she and Traf had and had prepared himself to fight before he'd ever gotten to his feet. "As for Voskon, if that's what it truly is, I've dealt with them before too. What do you think that is - or was?" Shad pointed toward a pelt hidden in the dark shadows of the cave. The Voskon bear had been killed in mid change and still had parts of it's human form. "Trust me, I'm not helpless," he hissed. He stalked toward the entrance of the cave, wondering what it was about Tes that brought out the worst in him.

[tesumi]

Tes rolled her eyes and let out a low growl, "Well what in the world was I supposed to think? All I've seen of you fantastic fighting skills was you throwing yourself at Traf last night, if he was any other kind of wolf you would have had your neck snapped! Honestly do you have even an ounce of self preservation? Not get back in the cave!" she snapped sarcastically, jabbing her finger in the direction of Kavlin. Uh? Why do we care again, just let the idiot get himself killed! Gah....no I can't do that, just get him back *sigh*
Tes lept forward, a step ahead of Shad and blocked him from leaving the entrance. Her eyes where still glued on Traf, waiting for him to make a move. Her eyes widened as Traf stood up and she groaned mentally when he invited this potentially deadly stranger to join them. She had no prejudices on any race, she was just opposed to anyone who threatened her pride. Pride...? Whoa...thats....odd....Damnit it must be Shad, I swear that man is going to need to keep a 4 yard distance at all times from now on, his blood is completely changing the way I think. UGH! she growled in her head. Tes was drawn out of her thoughts, startled that the visitor had given them a reply. The voice...it was so familiar, she just couldn't place her finger on it. Tes groaned again, did Traf have a death wish or something? Oh your worried about me are you? Well I'll give you something to worry about...she snapped in her head, she didn't plan on hurting the newcomer but she wanted to them a bit of a scare just as a warning. Tes stepped forward, sweeping her cloak around her. Then in a movement too quick for anyone's eyes to catch she pulled herself loose of clothing and phased into a massive Cougar. The sun glinted off her golden pelt, her eyes glowed and her muscles rippled under her hide. Tes tossed aside her cloak that was held in her mouth and she paced in front of the cave, nudging Shad inside with her nose. She snarled a warning then curled up at the front of the cave next to Shad's feet, showing she wasn't going to attack...at least not yet.

[aftermidnight8]

"Do you honestly think I'm stupid, Tes?" Shad growled. "Maybe I'm not a Voskon, but I can tell when an animal's tense. Traf knew where I was the entire time last night. If I'd wanted to kill him I could have with the first arrow I sent in his direction!" Shad took up a position beside Traf as he confronted the Voskon, only to be knocked backwards by a feline Tes. "D**m you, Tes!" Shad hissed, wanting to kick her, but barely managing to keep his temper in check.

Suddenly Shad stiffened. "That wolf's not the only one out there, Tes," he whispered bending down next to her so that only she could hear. He strained his ears to hear better. "Closer to the stream. In a tree." He intwined her thick fur in his fingers, finding a small measure of comfort in her closeness.

[fateandfaith]

Traf shot a glance over his shoulder at the two bickering in the cave, wondering if he should be more worried about having to break the two of them apart rather than the stranger in the bush who was, for the moment at least, acting perfectly civil. He shook his head and grunted with disapproval. They had enough to worry about without infighting.
With a roll of his eyes, he shifted his attention back to the stranger. He’d thought the scent was slightly feminine, but until she’d spoken he hadn’t been entirely sure. That fact left him slightly relieved. Though female wolves were far from weak or docile by merit of them being female, he knew he’d have a clear size advantage if it came down to it.
“I Call you by Wolf law and Bind you by Wolf blood to harm none of my pack and know that this wolf will kill to protect it. And by Blood and Law I promise this pack will not harm you unless provoked.”
He sighed after he spoke, wondering now if his newfound friends would think him crazy for referring to them as ‘pack’. But the ancient, almost ritualistic words known to all wolves that he had used called for it.
He held out his hand, palm up and open to where the stranger stood to seal the oath in the traditional manner. All of his attention was focused on the stranger as he waited for her to emerge, that he never even realized that the breeze that tugged at the ends of his hair brought with it the scent of two cats, not one.

[Anjan]

OOC: Switching to third-person-perspective for Caída to make it easier for you people to follow.

Caída pressed her golden tinted body flat against the branch, pale belly pressing deep into the rough bark of the tree. Had they detected her yet? She had heard no alarm been raised, but the black haired woman had shifted and she could only see a mountain lion where she had been. That at least explained the faint scent of feline to her but it annoyed her that she hadn’t been better at sensing it before. She shook her rounded head and pressed her white-tipped ears flat to the skull. What was that wolf up to? Was he stark raving mad or something? Shouldn’t he have spotted her by now? She tensed, muscles straining like bowstrings inside of her. Her golden-yellow eyes observed the happenings far ahead and below and she could se no threat towards herself, yet she couldn’t relax. Why couldn’t she relax when there clearly was no danger to her?

She did her best to at least keep her muscles from hurting. Then she once again stretched her senses and tried to confirm what she had against her. For everything that was not with her was against her, - friend or foe, hunter or prey – there was no neutrality in life. The Huntress had long since thought her that, and she had lived her entire adult life and more under the laws of The Huntress. She listened as the Wolf-man talked; it sounded awfully formal and old. Her kind had similar greetings but only the old ones that didn’t want to let go of their power felt the need to use such phrases to bind others to their will. And this Wolf-man was not to old to keep his place as dominant nor was the other wolf strong enough to challenge his rank. Not as far as I could see.

[Kassdc]

Kijah watched as the feline came out of the cave, it was her! The one from the tavern! Oh this was bad on many scales. Then she shifted, and laid infront of the cave, Kijah knew she was playing no games, there was something or someone of intrest int he cave that she thought needed protecting. She sniffed deeply but couldn't smell a cub, but it must be a weaker member, she knew enough of animals they only protected the weak and young like that.

The wolf called her out, he used the law of the ancient. Kijah couldn't ignore the Wolf Law. It was an ancient law that no wolf could ignore, it was in their blood, it was instinct just as it was to obey the alpha of their pack. Kijah could only assume the wolf to be the alpha as he was the one to confront her, he was protecting the pack, and what an interesting pack it was. She had only one choice, she must go out, to stay would be a challenge and would be open game for an attack.

Kijah stood and slowly made her way out of the trees, all the while keeping an eye on the lion at the mouth of the cave. She chose her steps carefully she didn't want to show any thing to give them reason to think she was going to challenge. Slowly she made her way over to the wolf, sizing him up. He was a handsome one that was for sure, had the scent of an alpha to him, so her suspicions must be right. She then did the only thing she could do when she made her way up to him. She held up her palm to his and dropped to one knee and eyed the ground, the act of submission when entering another's pack. Never look the alpha in the eye and lower yourself below them. Now she waited, his was the next move, his and the lions.

[fateandfaith]

To say that it wasn't entirely what Traf had been expecting would have been a bit of an understatement. Though his words had bordered on compulsion, he'd expected more caution. He'd expected the wolf to simply accept his word and the terms he'd set despite the fact that he had called her out. The display of submission threw him off. It was something he thought he'd never see ever since he left his pack. Once upon a time, he'd expected to receive that from every Rockridge wolf the day his father stepped down as Alpha. Seeing this wolf before him sent a wave of nostalgia through him that made him happy and sad at the very same time. All the suspicion he had held slowly melted away against his better judgment.

Though his eyes were sad, he kept his face neutral as he lightly grasped the wolf's fingers as a gentleman would do to a lady, and pulled her gently to her feet. He studied her as he did it, mulling over her scent. She was a tiny thing, but there was definitely a quiet strength there that was not to be denied. Her hair was a brilliant shade of red, almost like rubies in the dawn light. He had the barest urge to reach out and touch it, but ignored it, thinking, as he had the previous night when he'd decided not to lick Tes' hand in greeting, that the gesture might not go over well.

All at once, he remembered the others, his "pack". He imagined they were likely watching him like he'd gone mad. They were probably right. The years separated from wolfkind were probably getting to him. As he released the stranger's hand, he glanced back at the mouth of the cave, at Tes and Shad. After a moment, he shrugged, simple and plain. He knew there was nothing he could say or do to make them less wary of the stranger in their midst, so he didn't even try. Though she had passed his test and earned an inkling of his trust, she'd likely have to prove herself to them as well, as he doubted her actions would mean as much to them as they did to him.

Looking down at the redhead, he offered her a tiny smile. Though he knew deep down he wasn't acting in the wisest manner, he couldn't help but want the wolf's companionship. It was instinct to him, as it was to every wolf. The need to be surrounded by one's own kind, or even a makeshift pack if no other wolves were about. He couldn't deny his instinct.

"I'm Ceytravf Kingh, or Traf," he said. Thinking hard for a moment, he added, "Formerly of the Rockridge Pack." If she knew of the pack and its history with being intolerant of others and enslaved by tradition, than his being 'former' would hopefully lend him credit. If she didn't know the pack, at least he'd seem honest.

"Ah, I believe I promised everyone breakfast," he said, reaching over to remove the rabbit from the fire. It was just beginning to blacken--he'd forgotten about it in all the commotion.

[bittercowgal]

(OOC: Fajera has been tracking Caida and thus has also arrived...hehe)

An owl lands upon Fajera's roost and proceeds to grace her ear with a piercing hoot. Startled awake, she turns to glare at the night bird whom returns her annoyed gaze with it's own. With a soft growl, Fajera assumes a sitting position and stretches. It's evening now, the shadows having once again extended their dark fingers over the land. A slight grin splits Fajera's face as she summons the Jaguar, embracing her feline form. Her shift frightens the owl, causing it to fluff it's feathers and skitter away staring at her bemused. Amused, Fajera leaps down from her perch, landing square upon the hard ground.

Searching out the unmarked trail she followed earlier, Fajera sets off at a quick pace, her gait light and springy. Her footfalls are as silent as death. A light breeze brings the aroma of the strange feline back to her as well as the aromas of fire and humanity. The feline stench is stronger now, the signature easily recognized as that of a Leopard and female at that. Fajera's eyes narrow as many a thought race through her brain, all centered around two. Is she a Voskon as well? Friend or Foe? A precise mix of curiosity and wariness inspires the feline to further quicken her pace, switching to a ground swallowing run. A joyous purr rumbles deep within Fajera's throat, the run reminding her of the good times spent as a kitten with her siblings. Fajera's golden gaze sweeps the landscape as she flys over the terrain, a creek spotted in the distance ahead. Drawing closer, she drops back to a slow walk, sauntering over to lap at the cool water close to the bank for a moment before heading back to the trail.

Resuming her former pace, Fajera breaths deep of the clean night air. The scents carried on the wind have strengthened yet again carrying with it the scent of a lioness as well as the leopard.. Curious. I must be growing near. The moon is dipping low now towards the earth, gearing up to sink below the horizon in mere moments. Dawn approaches quickly. It seems as though she only just awoke and yet now it's nearly time to find sustenance and a sturdy limb to sleep upon once again. A pity she forgot a cloak when she traveled here. A soft snort is pushed forth from her nares. Regret is a waste of time.

As the first subtle rays of sunlight spread over the land, Fajera slows to a walk. A fire is spotted just up ahead. The welcome aroma of a roasted rabbit greets her nostrils and makes her muscles quiver. She'd nearly forgotten she'd not yet ate until that moment, now the urge to tear into the cooked lagomorph is nearly overwhelming. A harsh hiss is sounded from between clenched teeth as the beastess crouches low to the ground, slinking close to the edge of the clearing, her gaze focused upon that blasted rabbit. ...

[Kassdc]

Kijah's heart ached at the touch of another wolf. She didn't realise just how much she missed being around her own kind. She looked up and studied his features as he pulled her up to stand. He was taller than she first thought, and his eyes were the most beautiful color she had seen. There seemed to be something troubling him. Being a lone wolf she could only assume he felt like her. He was studying her, she could feel his eyes wandering, her heart skipped a beat at the thought of this, never had a male in her pack ever taken a second glance at her, much less took time to study her features.

She flushed red when she realized he was looking at her and smiling. Had he noticed how she had been looking at him man she hoped not, how embarassing to have been caught staring at him like a lovestruck pup. She returned his smile and thought hard when he mentioned he was from the Rockridge Pack. She tried but couldn't recal ever hearing any of the elders speaking of such a pack. "I am Kijah Suyai, formerly of the Southridge Pack. I hadn't meant to spy on you and your pack. It was just, I saw another wolf. I had been out for a morning run and came upon your scent at the creek and curisoity got the best of me I am afraid. I appreciate the offer of sharing the food, but I couldn't impose, I uh feed well recently.

(Edited because I got in a post hurry and didn't watch what I put.)

[fateandfaith]

As if almost mesmerized, Traf let the rabbit slip from his hand. Southridge, he thought. Maegnas had mentioned them a time or two. Though he clearly never though of them as equals to Rockridge, he had appreciated Southridge’s traditionalism and would have looked to them for allies had the need arose to be chucked away when no longer needed. He wondered what she had done to deserve to be cast out, or if she had left willingly. Either way, he felt an even deeper kinship. Rebellious, clearly, either way, like him.

He wanted to know how long she’d been gone from the East, how long she’d been in the area without his knowing. If she knew the local wolves as well. He wanted to know everything.

“Well, Kijah,” he said, rolling her name around his tongue as if tasting it. He smiled. “As long as our gracious host doesn’t mind, I invite you to stay and speak with me. You see, I found these good people in a similar accidental way, only through a night run. I was a very lonely wolf until last night.”

He gestured to a large fallen tree trunk off to the side of the mouth of the cave where they could sit, never realizing the rabbit’s stick had fallen, tip first, into the dirt. It had lingered, upright, for just a moment, before toppling over into the coals.

[bittercowgal]

Fajera struggles to stay her muscles as the doomed rabbit is dropped. Hungry or not it would not do to go rushing out amongst utter strangers to snatch the furry beast up before it burns. A deep growl of annoyance filters forth into the atmosphere, likely heard by those in the clearing. It's likely burned crisp by now anyhow. With a lash of her tail, Fajera stands..turning now and moving swiftly to the east. Sweeping the terrain with her amber glare she spots a small feral pig not far from where she stands. It appears to be unaware of her presence which is quite her good fortune. Crouching low so that her charcoal belly touches the ground, she readies herself once again to pounce. Muscles twitching and rump swaying she leaps with utter grace. The surprised pig has only a second to release it's high-pitched panicked squeal before it's life blinks out. Aware that those in the clearing close by are likely now on high alert, Fajera snatches up her prize and leaps into the high branches of the closest tree. This perch gives her the added advantage of having a grand view of the action in the clearing. Dinner and a show...

[Kassdc]

(Fate i am sooo loving Traf)

Kijah followed Traf to the fallen tree. She was curious to know why such a strong wolf was alone away from his pack. She couldn't help but want to tell him all about herself. The gentle look in his eyes made her want to just relax completely around him. He was sending out protective alpha vibes as he spoke, why was he not the leader of his own pack with a territory of his own? She was puzzled by this as she talked with him.

"I haven't been out here long, just a couple of weeks. My parting with my pack was recent. The alpha's daughter and I didn't quite get along, she disrespected the elders and all the members bowed down and let her do it and one day, well one day i got fed up with it. She wanted my kill i had already prepared and readied to present to the elders that night, I was tired of giving up things to her. There was an argument and I snapped, I stupidly mouthed off to her and she attacked me. Caught off guard I wasn't fast enough to shift, when I did shift she had already bitten me once and came in again and bit my shoulder. I knew I couldn't fight her like that I left. Even if I had stayed I would have still paid the price from Kito and Asha. The only thing that would have kept me there was..."

Kijah froze as she heard a pig squeal nearby. She looked at Traf waiting to see if perhaps there was someone else in his pack that was out.

[fateandfaith]

Traf only had eyes and ears for Kijah and her tale. Anger flared through him at the mention of the wrongs done to her. Children of the alphas should be the last to ever steal from the rest of the pack. Before he knew it, he was growling softly through clenched teeth as she detailed the fight. He hung on her every word, and when she trailed off he very nearly urged her to continue one, wanting to know just what she had left behind that she cared for so deeply.

But it was then, with his attention finally shifted away from Kijah by the squeal, all at once, that the many scents he'd been nose-blind to hit him. He smelled another cat. No, cats, he corrected. Strange ones. Unlike Tes. And, faintly, blood, likely from the dead or wounded animal that had been screaming. Normally, he'd have paid it no mind, knowing there were plenty of animals hunting the forest, but only the wolves would have dared come so close to the camp, even to hunt. And it wasn't wolves he smelled.

Another growl rolled out of his throat as he slid off the log and to his feet in one fluid motion. He took a single step forward, just enough to discretely place himself slightly in front of Kijah. Probably a bad move, he thought a moment later. He had sisters who he'd pulled that on before, and they'd threatened to take his head off for it. But he couldn't help it. The pull Kijah had over him was stronger than his own survival instinct apparently. A lot stronger, he realized. The strange cats had practically been on top of the cave he was supposed to be protecting, and he hadn't even noticed.

He was angry suddenly and it was almost completely with himself. The wolf in him practically howled to be free, ripples appearing just underneath the surface of his skin as he struggled to stay in human form. A shift then might have been perceived as a challenge, and if the cats were only curious, as they were wont to be, then the last thing he wanted was to provoke anything that might otherwise be avoided. Though no matter what he told himself, he couldn't stop growling.