The Landing (open)

[saber]

Saber landed with a force and the ground puffed up in dust around him. Panting heavily from the flight, he lowered his head and sniffed the floor. He held his breath for one moment, then sneezed out the strange smells. He folded his wings neatly into his flanks, making them practically invisible. His head held high and searching the scene around him, he trotted forward, desperately needing to stretch his legs.

Saber laid his ears back and tucked his tail for a moment until he shook out the fear and returned to his normal defiant walk. The trees seemed to hang heavily in the air and the sky was without clouds. Water. It was all he could think about. Though the air was not hot, it was dry, and the prospect of rain was far from reality.

It was not long before he arrived at the border of some wolf's territory. It was obvious by the aroma of urine, mixed with a bit of scent from each wolf’s individual mark. He paused, wondering if this was even a good idea. Certainly nothing could be worse than going back. He curled his haunches and sat on the border, tail curiously twitching.

If he did this, then it could be the end of his problems. However, like most things in life, there was always a downfall. What if this pack thought of him the same way his birth pack did? It would be cause for a fight. Not that that would be a problem, but Saber would rather avoid it. If he didn’t do this, he might just die. His gut was beginning to slim despite his naturally heavy build.

He stretched one lovely little paw forward and raised from his haunches. With one long push he flapped his heavy white wings and howled into the sky. It was beginning to be dusk and would soon be dark.

[tariq]

”Ah, damn it all!” Tariq cursed to himself as he plopped his rump onto the floor of the forest. His snout cringed as he brought a huge paw up to clench his stomach, which proceeded to protest loudly. Why was it that he could never find enough to eat? He snorted at himself, he knew the answer to that question all to well, and he just wished he could prevent his mortal mind from wondering the obvious. Thick legs picked his shaggy form back up from the ground as he trotted forward with slow, but steady, steps. Long, badger-like claws rustled loudly in the dead needles and dry dirt. One would think that even a creature with larger paws than normal would be able to adapt to carry itself more stealthily…but there were some things that just couldn’t be helped. Tariq couldn’t help his loud steps anymore than he could help his shaggy fur, flattened paws, or his anger for that matter… The Myou’s broad snout huffed as it shifted through leaves and around sticks, searching for any recent scent that could potentially become dinner. Even though he only found late scents of long-gone rodents and insects, he kept searching. The ill jackalope he had come across by luck earlier would have most likely been enough for any other wolf, but times were few when Tariq felt the pleasure of a satisfied stomach.

From behind him, the wind suddenly picked up, shaking the leaves and pine needles that before had lay still in front of his nose. Tariq frowned in confusion for a mere moment before his ears pulled his attention to the sky. Eyes widened as he watched a stocky Keiyou appear to fall from the sky only ten paces away. Before the dust from the landing could clear, Tariq skittered behind a large pine and did his best to not be seen. Ears folded back as he quickly attempted to analyze the situation. He didn’t think that the Keiyou had seen him, but he couldn’t be sure. His amber eyes scanned the landscape, trying to determine whether he could walk away unseen. Seeing as how his fur blended in decently with the forest, being unseen wouldn’t be the problem…it was being unheard that would be. He glanced down to his large paws and their ‘flattened’ appearance. Tariq didn’t think that he could walk more than three steps without being heard. His thoughts were interrupted as the stranger bellowed out a deep howl into the dusk air, causing his fur to stand on end, even as thick as it was. And despite how much he didn’t want to be known, right as the last note of the howl faded away, Tariq’s stomach let out a ferocious growl, to make sure that its owner did not forget about it.

The Wolverine-Myou sighed in defeat, mentally cursing his demanding body, knowing that he had been heard.

[saber]

As soon as the sound of hunger emitted from the other wolf’s stomach, Saber was on it. He paneled his ears in the same direction the sound came from and then slowly turned, curious. His eyes were searching for it, but he could not see anything. There were only pine needles, both green and chestnut, everywhere. The branches shifted and the eerie call of wind through the slivers of leaves whistled.

He wasn’t even sure if he’d actually heard it. It could have been a predator for all he knew. The fur on his neck rose slightly as the thought registered fully. He'd never considered how dangerous leaving his little bubble of a pack could be. Having never been fully tested in strength or battle smarts, Saber was not so confident.

He huffed another sniff, letting the smells of the forest and the wolf into his sinus. The tang of sweat and dandruff filled his nostrils. This was interesting, it was not a known predator, but not a familiar wolf smell either. Saber squinted his eyes and drew back his lips for a moment’s time. His beautiful teeth gnashed as he tasted the air. It was heavy with live meat, but not the kind one would eat.

“Show yourself.” He whined in challenge. His voice was like frayed rope: painful and worthless. He had no time to worry about water though. He took one step forward and reached closer to the tree he suspected the unknown to be hiding behind. His claws scratched the earth beneath them, flexed and ready to pounce.

[tariq]

[atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,420,true][atrb=background,http://fc01.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2010/166/2/f/2f80f0bb36b6eaf8906a0752fb27fc03.png] Tariq heaved a defeated sigh. He didn’t want to show himself. He only wanted to slink away into a dark hole and hide himself from everyone around him. He didn’t want to hurt anyone. Inside, his stomach gurgled slightly, causing him to scowl down at it. He was in no mood should things turn sour between this Keiyou. But then again, wolves of that specie were known for their kindness and acceptance of others, especially odd Myous like him. The small thought gave him a bout of confidence, as miniscule as it was. Perhaps it wouldn’t end terribly like he always prepared himself for. After all, he didn’t feel angry right now did he? No, as a matter of fact he found himself feeling entirely in control of himself and his emotions. A small smile curved his lips, as he found a small bit of confidence in that thought as well. Tariq took a deep breath, and quickly straightened the shaggy fur on his chest. But just as he was about to step out and give a polite salutation to the stranger, worry found him once again. Claws clenched the ground nervously, what if he did loose control? Keiyou owned the sky and the stranger could simply fly away, given that he wasn’t vengeful and rash and struck back. Tariq didn’t want to hurt anyone, but simply stepping out and asking a complete stranger not to make him angry often backfired. He dimly recalled how once he had nearly begged a spiteful Yagi to cease insulting him, less he become angry. Anyone could imagine that pleading did nothing but egg the proud wolf on. Tariq didn’t like fighting, but that’s how the confrontation had ended, much to his regret. He mentally shook himself; he was doing nothing more than putting off the inevitable. Tariq knew that he could not simply just turn away, doing that could very well cause the Keiyou to pursue him from curiosity or even frustration for feeling threatened. Taking a deep breath and clearing his throat, Tariq slowly stepped from behind the large pine, showing the stranger his brown, shaggy pelt, thick legs, large paws, rounded ears and wide tail. There wasn’t any doubt he was a Myou, there never was. Tariq nodded his head in a polite greeting, having no clue what to say. His amber eyes ran over the Keiyou’s pale form but found no better greeting there. Despite not wanting to cause tension, he held himself high and carried an air of dominance about him. It was the viscious, ‘in-your-face’ attitude of his second soul that he could not repress. Standing tall and proud, he uttered a short, ”Well, here I am.”

[saber]

Saber listened to the wisp in the myou’s sigh, head cocking gently to the left as the sound echoed into his ears. He was not searching the right spot. As the wolf seeped from his hiding space, Saber focused his attention on that particular area of the forest. He zoned out all other distractions, analyzing the threat before him.

Saber gave the myou a long and steady stare, but not into the eyes. The curve of this wolf’s muzzle was oddly shaped, giving his breed away easily, but that was not what Saber cared about. He wanted to know who the wolf was. Was he an omega or the alpha? Perhaps neither. The wolf’s coloring was dark and altogether opposite of Saber’s.

The myou held his head high. Saber held his equally so, already feeling stepped on by the wolf’s persona. Saber’s wings, still a little raised in defense, easily folded back into his flanks. He was a little more relaxed now that he could see what he was talking to.

Not wanting to upset this proud wolf in any way, Saber swallowed his own pride and nodded as best he could to acknowledge the other wolf’s right to live. In all reality it was a lousy nod, and far from the magnitude of respect a true bow would give. However, Saber was completely incognizant of the extent of his offense.

Saber spoke with narrowed eyes and a slim smile, “I’m Saber.” They were simple words, but for the miniscule value of it, anyone who knew Saber would be surprised that he had even said them in the first place.

Saber expected this wolf to show him to the alpha, unaware of the wolf’s true status in this territory.