On Edge [Joining]

[Chance]

Water splashed the stone in which the small Keiyou was perched. His paws were numb with cold, the chill making his feathers stand on edge. Deep purple eyes stared at the churning water before him, transfixed. Chance sat on a rock in the middled of the rapids, much more dangerous than he ever would have attempted in his younger years. Back when he was afraid of death. Now he didn't really care one way or another. He even, on occasion, contemplated ending his life all together. But for some reason he never did, always chickening out just before the point of no return.

It would be the same today as well. Chance took in a deep breath of crisp autumn air. He shivered, the cold water finally getting to him. He spread his brown and white wings, ready to move on. This place was certainly beautiful but he smelled another pack in the area. There was no point in sticking around, especially when he didn't know how they would react to his presence. He bunched his back legs, ready to take off and then.... he slipped. His hind leg slipped on the soaked stone sending him plunging into the icy rapids.

Chance gasped as the water rose over his head, dragging him beneath the surface. The river tossed him through the water making it impossible to know which way was up. The Keiyou's head collided with something solid, presumably another rock, causing him to loose his breath. He inhaled a lungful of water, which burned it's way down. Struggling he finally broke the surface, coughing and gasping. I got a moment's view of his surroundings before he was pulled under again.

This time he had more control but less strength. He needed to get out of the water and fast. Braking the surface once again he swam for the shore. His paws slipped on the smooth pebbles on the river bed. Hauling his damp and sorry carcase to shore, Chance curled up shivering on the beach. Peering around he could see a lake in the distance. It glimmered in the sunlight. This would have been a better place to live. If they had live here instead of the swamp maybe his kids would have made it. Maybe he would still have Sunchaser. In any case, Chance decided that if he were to die it wouldn't be by drowning. Way too painful.

[faye]

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[atrb=background,http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd415/Somatra1/fbg.jpg] [scrolly:h(370),w(405),sy] The roar of the river in her ear was soothing, the water's constant flow of change reminding the Duchess of her own pack, the old Alliance, now the Centena Accord. She didn't dare venture too close to the rapids, even as a powerful Lupus there was no way she could use her lightning powers to save herself without electrocuting herself or another poor creature. The land was beautiful, and tugged at her heartstrings: Here was home, she felt it. Faye continued her walk, the pebbles coming to bounce up on the navy blue markings on her legs. Her pure white coat was slightly damp from the mists early that morning, and her yellow eyes scanned the area, thinking she had heard a sound. She stopped, ears alert: There it was again! The water hid most of the other wolf's smell, so it was hard to locate him or her. She quickened her pace, her long legs carrying her closer to the source of the distress. Soon she came upon a shivering, wet Keiyou, and she stopped, surprised: What had they been doing so close to the river, in an unfamiliar territory? She approached cautiously, he was, to her relief, still alive and well, though quite wet. "Greetings, traveler. I notice that you have had quite an encounter with the river, do you need a place to rest and recuperate?" her voice was strong, and carried over the sound of the rushing water. She smiled warmly, perhaps he was looking to join. "I am Faye, the Duchess of the Centena Accord, the pack that claims this land as home. I welcome you to Lake Amarenthyst." she finished, standing proudly: She had pride in her pack, her land and herself, and this showed. Faye wasn't aggressive, merely assertive, and polite. She waited for his answer, hoping he was alright.[/scrolly]

[Chance]

Chance heard Faye before he saw her. The noise startled the Keiyou almost as much as his tumble into the river. He sat up as the she-wolf approached, hunching apprehensively. She was a lupus, which gave her the possibility to be quite dangerous. He quickly shook the water from his coat making the fur stick up in odd directions.

He was taken a back by the wolf's polite attitude, offering him shelter for the day and time to rest and recover. Purple eyes watched her warily. Even in old pack they had been cautious when strangers wandered onto their territory. Sunchaser in particular was always seemed somewhat hostile, afraid of any threat to her pack, her family. And Chance had considered the Clan a friendly place, joining was just a way of proving you could handle the swamp.

"Th-thank you," his teeth chattered, "My name is Chance.I just lost my f-footing is all. Don't worry about me I'll just be on my-" the brown and white wolf stopped mid sentence as red sticky liquid seeped into his eye. The water had washed away the blood from the gash while he was in the river but now it flowed freely.
"Oh!" He shook the blood from his eye," Must be from when I hit my head," he muttered," I guess I could use some assistance."

[faye]

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[atrb=background,http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd415/Somatra1/fbg.jpg] [scrolly:h(370),w(405),sy] The lupus eyed the Keiyou for a moment, her bright yellow eyes seeming to pierce him, searching for nay hint of a lie or false pretense: However, he seemed okay, yet hurt. She approached slowly, inspecting the gash: It was moderately deep, and Faye knew of certain herbs that might help with the healing, located conveniently near her den in the Forest: She'd made her den in a small cave, big enough for herself and perhaps another wolf. It was at the base of a large tree, off from the path and hidden by several large bushes, it was composed of two large flat rocks leaning against each other, forming a well-hidden and cozy niche for herself. "Well, Chance, I'd be glad to help you. I know of some herbs that might help with the pain or healing, but they are hard to find and thankfully your wound does not look too severe. I suggest resting and drinking lots of water. I have been trained as a Sage, so I can be of help in such a domain. Do you feel well enough to walk?" she asked, her voice having gone softer and kind. She looked around, no other pack members in sight, so she'd have to do this alone: No matter, she was skilled enough, and went to stand beside him. "Perhaps if you leaned on me, I could lead you to a good resting spot, if you need a place to stay. Also, I have to ask, where exactly is your destination, or have you already reached it?" she asked. She wasn't angry or annoyed, even suspicious, simply curious, though her expression remained politely neutral. [/scrolly]

[Chance]

"I can walk," Chance said getting shakily to his feet. The cold made his legs stiff and he stumbled. Embarrassed he looked away. First meeting and he already looked incompetent. Incompetent. That thought had his throat closing up. Because after all that was exactly what he was. Couldn't save his brother, couldn't save his children, couldn't save his mate and he couldn't save his pack. The list of things he wasn't able to do was so long it was depressing. Depressing enough to throw himself off a cliff or into a river. But he wasn't strong enough to just let it end. No, he kept on living because he wasn't able to find the strength to die.

So he conceded to resting on Faye, Chance knew when to accept kindness. The poor Keiyou needed to get his emotions in check. It had been months now, he should be in control of himself. He need to live like he had before he met Sunchaser. The only problem was, he wasn't the same wolf as before. Sunchaser and the Clan had changed him, and there was no way to go back.

Faye's question left him without and answer. Where was he going. If Chance was honest, he was running. But from what? There was nothing to run from, everything was gone. His heart clenched, running from pain didn't work that was for sure.
" I don't have a destination...you could say I-I'm lost," His voice creaked. The winged wolf didn't elaborate. He couldn't, it wasn't in his nature to just spill everything. The lupus' polite indifference helped hold Chance together. He was in shock from his injury, and the dip he took in the river.
"I have no home."

[faye]

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[atrb=background,http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd415/Somatra1/fbg.jpg] [scrolly:h(370),w(405),sy] Faye wondered what this Keiyou's story was, but decided it most wise to ask him more later, he was obviously shaken from his unplanned swim, as any wolf would be. She gently supported him, and began slowly walking forward, step by step, away from the treacherous rapids. Interiorly, she wondered where he was from, perhaps an outcast from an old pack? He didn't seem to be doing so well even before his accident... She didn't say anything about his stumble, only keeping her expression politely neutral, not wanting to pry, in her long life she'd come to realize that it was best to let wolves talk about themselves first before asking anything. "I'll bring you to a shelter near here, it's at the base of that large tree up ahead, bushes shelter it from the wind and the majority of the cold." She nodded with her head to the large tree up ahead, she didn't want to bring him to her den, it might be too far and she didn't know him well enough. This way she could keep an eye on him too. She pondered his words for a moment, before casually adding: "Well, we all get a little lost sometimes. Perhaps eventually you'll find your home here, but if you wish to keep going, you may as well rest and replenish your strengths, Chance." She smiled sadly: She didn't know this wolf, but she supposed that she was indeed taking a "chance" on him... [/scrolly]

[Chance]

Chance was grateful for the she-wolf's help. He let out a deep sigh of relief as they reached the shelter. His bones ached with cold and muscles strained with the amount of shivering he was doing. Getting out of the open air help. He was mentally exhausted as well as physically and he could have really used a good sleep to help with both. He tried to stop his mental rampage, as difficult as it was.

The small white and brown wolf laid down and listened to what Faye had to say. Home, he had thought he had found that once. Home was suppose to be where the heart was but his heart no longer dwell in the realm of the living. But perhaps he was going about this all the wrong way. In stead of always running maybe he would find purpose in staying.

"Why don't you tell me about your Centena Accord. I-," he took a deep breath. Was this what he wanted? A home? It would be a lot less of a hassle. Always being alone was.. well lonely. This she-wolf was nice enough, even given her polite indifference. The others of this pack couldn't be too different right?

"I might like to find a home," he finished, fur a little puffed out with nervousness. Really, he was too old for this.

[faye]

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[atrb=background,http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd415/Somatra1/fbg.jpg] [scrolly:h(370),w(405),sy] As her old teacher had used to say to Faye, home is where the heart is, and the she-wolf's heart belonged here, at the Lake. She layed down beside Chance, because he was most likely still wet from the rapids, and becoming sick from the wet and cold wouldn't be pleasant, so her body warmth would add wanted heat. She smiled at him, and began: "The Centena Accord was previously named the Philia Alliance, with a female guide called Magispar. We lived in the Connewa Meadow, a land of the East as well. However, one day Magispar vanished, without a trace and Keinvarii, who prefers to be called Stone, loyally took over the pack as female guide. This pack was based on equality, and at that time there were no ranks or titles." She continued, her voice filled with pride in her pack, Faye was a loyal wolf indeed. "However, soon we began to find out, as the autumn and winter months grew near, that the prey was going into hibernation, and the lovely meadow offered little if no shelter to the pack members. The values of equality were hard to keep just and true, as any pack needs some form of organization and cohesiveness, and without ranks, there was none. Stone and Evelyn, lead fighter at the time, decided that the best way to keep the pack alive was to move and re-organize our values, as you could say." She paused to gather her thoughts:"We moved to Lake Amerenthyst, and modified our ranks and titles: We still respect and value friendship, fairness and justice, but equality in a pack is difficult if not impossible to keep. As it is, Stone is our Queen, and Evelyn has become Arch-Duchess, while I am Duchess. There is also Raynor, our Lord Fighter, and Cyra, our Lady of the Hunt. We have room for many other positions, as some of our members have chosen to take another path, if you are interested in joining." Her voice filled with friendship and pride when she spoke of her friends, her family. "Our creed is a noble one, if you wish to know: We stand equal as one. This might be the home for you, if you give us a..." She couldn't resist the chuckle and grin: "Chance." [/scrolly]

[Chance]

Chance hummed gratefully as Faye laid down next to him. The smaller male rested his head on his front paws while his tail curled around the back. It flicked lazily as the Keiyou listened to the Duchess talk so lovingly about her pack. his eyes slipped closed as he listened and thought back to his own attitude toward his old pack. Had he ever really been loyal to it? No, he had left once, but he had gone back. Not for the pack though, for Sunchaser. He was loyal to Sunchaser and now that she was gone he had no allegiances.

Maybe having a home wouldn't be so bad. The ideals this pack upheld were noble, it was a nice idea, that everyone was equal. Although he would like to meet this Keinvarii wolf. He wouldn't want to join without knowing it's alpha. But would he be loyal to this place? He could try. It wouldn't hurt anyone.

He chuckled alone with Faye at the pun about his name. "Sometimes I wonder if my mother was trying to be ironic," he joked quietly, sleepily. He knew that wasn't the case about his name. He was the runt, she hoped by naming him Chance he would have a chance at surviving, being born in the winter and all. And survive he did.

"I'd like to give this pack of yours a chance," he chuckled again, continuing the pun," It sounds like a great place, and it's history is compelling, thats for sure." He opened his eyes, violet staring into bright yellow," How does this joining thing work here? I've made a pack, never joined an already existing one."

[faye]

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[atrb=background,http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd415/Somatra1/fbg.jpg] [scrolly:h(370),w(405),sy] Faye grinned at his words, and added: "Well, I think it's a fine name. It suits you." Her words rang true, as all her words did, the odd thing with Faye is that she never lied, only used tact. She nodded in appreciation of the compliments to her pack, it wasn't hers, she wasn't the Queen, and she didn't want to be, but the wolves of the Accord are her family, and she planned on taking good care of them. His violet eyes were intriguing, and nice to look at, she'd never seen anything quite like the, except perhaps with another lupus, Nova was her name, and Faye hadn't seen her in many a moon: She wondered if she ever would... It saddened her that many pack members were gone or lost, and silently she wished them all her best. "It is an interesting and wonderful pack, one that I'm sure you could learn to love with time, Chance. However, there is no pressure to join, and although we'd love to have you, the decision is entirely yours to make." she wanted to make sure he did what he wanted to do. He seemed a little weary and broken down now, but with rest, and good care, Faye was certain he'd be feeling better soon. "Well, to join we shall first have to see what rank you desire, there is no musts you may choose except of course a higher rank for now, with time those may be awarded to long time members. There are fighters, hunters and healers as middle-ranks, although all ranks are respectable. For now I can simply accept you, and later at the next pack meeting or even before you can meet with the pack to talk and socialize. Until then, familiarize yourself with the territory, and find peace at Lake Amarenthyst." She waited for his decision, she pictured him more as a hunter, he didn't seem the fighting type and healers were rather rare, though she knew they had one already, a wisp, she thought vaguely.[/scrolly]

[Chance]

Chance pondered for a moment what he was good at. Running was the first thing that came to his mind. He was good at running away. The second was that he would good at sustaining himself. He had always been able to provide for himself and for his family. Third was he had always been the one the alphas had gone to for advice. He was good at being the devil's advocate. His ears flickered back and forth as he thought, considering the pros and cons of each position.

It was a sure fact that Chance was no good at fighting. And he had no talent for healing at all. So that left hunting. It sounded like a steady and reasonable choice. He would know what he was doing and providing for others always made the Kieyou feel good. He was, after all, a family man and if he were to join this pack he was going to think of it's members as his family.

"I think I would fair best as a hunter," he concluded out loud, turning his vivid eyes back on the Lupus. Maybe fate had something to do with all this. Or maybe it was the spirits around him telling him he had to live on. Whatever it was it made this choice seem better than all the other ones he had made thus far.
"I also think that I can't wait to be settled in," he smiled.

[faye]

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[atrb=background,http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd415/Somatra1/fbg.jpg] [scrolly:h(370),w(405),sy] OOC: Yay! Consider yourself accepted ooc and ic! Welcome! The Duchess smiled at his choice, it was a wise one, and with time and patience she was certain he'd get a higher rank within the accord. Whatever his circumstances or past, they would accept him, because it was the present and future that mattered most in her eyes. "Then a hunter you shall be. Welcome to the Centena Accord, Chance. Our territory is Lake Amerenthyst, and these are the Trakrin Rapids." she nodded to the rapids near them. She decided she may as well give him some info about the land as well as the pack too, so he'd be better prepared. "There is also the Dhonborock Shores, Caiyen Forest, Heikwar Cliff where we host our pack meetings and Mowrak island, accessible only to those who fly and swim, such as yourself and our Lord of Defense, Raynor. Perhaps you could make your den there, if you prefer solitude, however the choice is up to you. Feel free to take as much time needed to explore, and enjoy your new home. Any questions or concerns, feel free to ask any pack member." She stood up, stretching her long white legs. She turned to face him before leaving: "It's been a pleasure meeting you, and I look forward to speaking more with you. Welcome home." she finished, and walked away, off to see if there was anything else to be done.[/scrolly]