Everything Happens for a Reason [joining]

[salem]

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[atrb=background,http://i55.tinypic.com/iw3hq0.jpg,url] Normal! "Talking!" Darkness. That was all Salem could see as he walked along the frozen earth, where silence consumed every inch of space around him except for the wind lashing against his face. He had been been up since dawn the day before, traveling along the whole way. His paws were growing tired as he entered the tundra, especially with it's cold snow and nipping winds. He finally stopped and took a breath, golden eyes shifting to the sky. The sun was beginning to rise. Getting into his daily routine, the Myou folded his magnificent wings across his sides and knelt down in a bowing manner, facing the sun's direction. As the sun slowly began to emerge and the colors of the morning streaked, he mummbled his words of prayer to his Goddess. His Goddess consumed him and was the very existence of his seemingly meaningless life. "Oh the mighty Goddess, Oroùbe. For all thy kindness of keeping the magnificent earth at bay, for all thy words of reassurance. Forgive me, my Goddess, for I have sinned. I have gone across your boundaries and commited crimes unable to comprehend. I have fallen from your glorious path and consumed with the hate and anger of Vìermus. I thank thy being for casting a sympathetic shadow to such an undeserving coward. I ask thee for repentance, I ask for a savior. Though, if thy believe the coward before you is still undeserving, may your words of wisdom shun down unto me and make my shame known." He stay there, kneeling before the rising sun and all of it's magnificent rays. The flames flickered faintly and warmed Salem's pelt. While he lie there, whispering words of prayer, images began to flash in his mind. ---- The warm breeze shifted around the small family. The mother wolf licked her youngest pup lovingly, while her other dreamed soundly in the warm fur at her side. The pup twisted and groaned under his mother until he finally flipped around to look her in the eyes. "Mama, why does Oroùbe make us live like this? If she really is a Goddess, shouldn't she be helping us?" He spoke softly, adjusting his weight from paw to paw as his little mind whirled. The mother wolf smiled faintly. She held slight pain in her eyes, but it quickly vanished. "Now Salem, we do not question Her will. Everything happens for a reason and for Her divine masterpiece. Sometimes it may not seem very good, but it will get good in the end. She has a plan for everything, and everyone." She smiled wider and licked the pups head. The pup fell silent, letting the words seep into his brain and twist around in his thoughts. ---- He continued to whisper words of prayer until the sun had risin fully to the skys and shifting the night to day. He lifted his body from the snowy ground and bowed his head, lightly nipping his chest in a way of saying Amen. His golden orbs shimmered to the suns rays. "I hope you're right, mother. I so dearly do." With a sullen look across his face, he turned and continued to walk on his aching paws. He had payed no attention to the scents of the pack that claimed the land. His mind was full of many other things.

[Cypress]

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[atrb=background,http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/ac298/Wonderwhy_wolves/cypress-1.png] The early morning was a good time for sneaking up on larger prey. However getting them down was another story, especially when they had a second to react. This morning an older stag, frail with old age as struggling and kicking as he tired to dislodge a small, but capable yagi. Crusty, old snow was flying through the air in the company with hot clouds of breath. The yagi's bulk was anchoring the ungulate to the ground, her jaws were clamped, trying to rip flesh form the hindquarters. The sun was soon silhouetting the battle as the weak rays passed over the landscape. She was unaware of the stranger in her lands, all she cared about was bringing down some meat, despite the struggle. A hoof buckled up and almost smashed her jaw, she had to let go to doge. Instead of going back to her primary ripping spot she sidestepped and stabbed her thin, graceful horns into the belly and shook her head. The bellow of the stag echoed over the land. Cupressus had to yank back quickly to prevent her horns from breaking in the muscle. The stag tried to run and she was hot on his heels, her endurance was unmatchable by most yagi. She would come in and slash with her head now and then, or bite at the heels to keep him moving. Now she just had to run him down, he was losing blood and their death dance was moving closer and closer to the myou on the horizon. She noticed him as the stag started giving ragged and labored breaths. She growled as bloodlust, territory rights and the need to protect her family came on all at once. She leaped to the side of the stag and sank her teeth in the gaping wound, ripping to make the blood flow faster. They both stopped a few yards from the stranger. The stag falling to his knees, the wolf glaring at the intruder as she waited for her hard earned meat to die. Blood trickled down from her horns to her forehead around her intense green eyes.

[salem]

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[atrb=background,http://i55.tinypic.com/iw3hq0.jpg,url] Normal! "Talking!" Salem's eyes were on the ground as he walked silently. The snow beneath his paws crunched and pressed down in submission to his weight. There wasn't much sign of life, beside the little moving dots in the distance. He stopped in his spot with ears flickering as he lifted his head, the bellow from the dying creature sounding in his ears. He faced his body towards the predator and the prey as they came closer and closer. His muscles tensed lightly, but he stayed calm. He could see the stag, trying to get away from the Yagi's jaws, the blood steadily being drained from his body. Salem stood there silently, watching them closely. At one point the Yagi met eyes with him and he could see the emotions switch around in her head. He opened his jaws and scented the air, catching the scents from the pack finally. He shut his maw abruptly and took a single step back, knowing something was going to happen for him tresspassing. "She must belong to the pack here." He brought his ears forward as the female delivered the final blow to her prey, ripping the flesh from it's body. Salem felt his blood run a little faster at the sight of the blood. For a split second, a quick flash of a bloody and freightened wolf was under him. It's blood was splattered across his maw and fangs, obviously making him the killer. He shook his head to get the image out. When he regained his thoughts, he found the small female standing over her kill, her eyes intent on him. The Myou lowered his ears and muzzle slightly. His golden eyes never left hers as he stared back. She was of high ranking among the pack belonging here, judging from the look in her eye and her dominant stance. Salem kept his stance in front of her and shook his head lightly. He moved his eyes, knowing that staring for too long was a threatening gesture. He continued to keep the silence for a moment longer, feeling the tension in the air. He hadn't seen another wolf in days, weeks. He wanted to move to break the frozen position, paws aching under him. They wanted to rest from his long travels. He knew he was on foreign territory and he did not know how these wolves reacted to intruders. Unable to think of words to say, he just watched her carefully.

[Cypress]

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[atrb=background,http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/ac298/Wonderwhy_wolves/cypress-1.png] She panted through the blood on her face, her run finally catching up with her. However she made no move to eat, she just looked at the male, and waited for the bloodlust to subside. She new it was dangerous acting out while in hunt and kill mode. And frankly, this hunt may have been over zealous of her, she found herself quite exhausted. She did not falter as she growled once more at the male, hiding her fatuige, "Who are you, and what are you doing in my land?" She took a few steps and stood over her kill, as if shielding it from him. There was no way that she could carry it home, but that did not stop her from making the kill. She knew she could bury pieces and take chunks back. Or hell, even call her patrolling soldiers in to carry it off. Her burning gaze did not leave the male though, she did not want him stealing any of this kill. Her brown and green pelt rippled in a slight breeze, sending her scent toward him. She had recently come out of heat, but the scent still lingered and she was not about to let a stranger get any ideas. She kept a strong, dominate face. She could feel some of the blood beginning to mat her pelt, but she waited for his answer, unmoving.

[salem]

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[atrb=background,http://i55.tinypic.com/iw3hq0.jpg,url] Normal! "Talking!" The Myou stood silently for a few moments, barely noting her defensive growl. His eyes scanned over her as he took in her full appearance. She was small, though he could tell by the look in her eyes that she had a burning flame in her. He had also noticed her tail. While he had heard that most Yagi tails were short, she had that of a normal-lengthed tail. His eyes flickered back to hers as she spoke and broke the silence. He watched her mouth move as she spoke and as she stepped over her kill. His tail feathers fanned out and his wings arched, a gesture of breaking from his stiff position. Ever so slightly, he opened his maw to speak. "Fear not, miss, I am not here to steal your prey or cause harm. My name is Salem Ali. I come from a land far from these desolate ice lands." His voice was rough, deep from the unclear decision if the fae would chase him out or not. If she did chose to do so he would go quietly. He wasn't out to cause trouble. "Pardon my ignorance. I did not scent a pack claimed these parts as my mind was consumed with other dealings. I've come a long ways, and my paws ache from the stress." He had no intentions of having the female Yagi show pity for him. He just wanted somewhere to sleep. His eyes were a little droopy, showing signs of sleep deprovation. Salem lowered his head slightly in a kind gesture towards the high-ranked wolfess. He knew that where there's a wolf from a pack, there's others, and if he chose to fight her he would probably be facing more than one wolf. He eyes shifted to the carcass under her. It was obvious that she would not be able to carry it herself. She was too small to carry such a large piece of prey. Whereas, it would be easy for himself to take it. "No disrespect ment, miss, but how do you intend to carry that?"

[Cypress]

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[atrb=background,http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/ac298/Wonderwhy_wolves/cypress-1.png] Her ears flickered at his unusually deep voice. She had not suspected that register. Her tail was docked, but it was done poorly, really only the tip a few small vertebrae had been removed at birth. It was a symbol of disrespect from her home pack, they had not suspected anything from a runt. Yet here she was, leading a pack in a bleak and unforgiving landscape. The fire in her was not just for show. "My land is vast, not all the markers are fresh this morning. I was going to remark them after I hunted." She could understand his mistake, it had been a few days since she had been to this border of her pack. Her soldiers had not quite gotten into the routine of marking. "If you do not intend harm, you may rest here. If you are looking for a home, this could also be your answer." She was not against strangers joining her pack, she was just protective at first meeting. She stood a little ridged at his question, she didn't like her strength being challenge. She had been ridiculed for her size most of her life growing up, it was still a sore subject despite her accomplishments. Her eyes narrowed a little, "I have my ways. I was going to eat first then take it away in parts. The day is new."

[salem]

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[atrb=background,http://i55.tinypic.com/iw3hq0.jpg,url] Normal! "Talking!" A small smile played at his lips as the female seems a little less haste. He nodded his head to her as she spoke. Though, his smile slowly faded as she spoke that this could be his home if he wished. He hadn't had a home in a long while. The thought sounded nice, but at the same time brought back the haunting memories of his mother and their pitiful attempts to survive on their own. His eyes flashed a look of sorrow and hurt for a moment before returning back to their regular golden shade. He closed his eyes and lowered his head a little more. "For now, I'm only here to rest." He spoke softly and opened his eyes again. He glanced around them and breathed in the tundra's scents. A cold breeze shifted around him and he shivered lightly. But at the same time, it gave him a strange feeling, like that of a new beginning. Salem sighed and perked his ears as she spoke again to his question. He saw her eyes flash with a slight look of pain and he winced lightly. Perhaps asking a question about her size wasn't much a smart idea. He cleared his throat and prodded the snow with his paw. "I ment no disrespect. If you'd like, I could help you carry it back. I'd be more than happy to do something to make up for my intrusion." He attempted another smile to show his good intentions. Though his paws ached, he'd be willing to help the wolfess if she wished.

[Cypress]

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[atrb=background,http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/ac298/Wonderwhy_wolves/cypress-1.png] She looked him up and down as he rejected her offer of a permanent home. Why else would a wolf wander this far north if not to join her pack? Sure there was more beyond the tundra, but at the same time, there were other ways around, especially for a flier. She snorted a little at her own musings and shook out her pelt to free it of clumps of old snow. She was not very trusting to begin with, however he did offer to lend her a hand. As if to pay for him room and board while he was resting. She could see the fairness in that. Everyone had to earn their keep in the Empire, visiting or otherwise. "If you wish to rest, I will allow it. Just know that the tundra can be harsh and unforgiving." She felt is fair to warn him of potential hardships. The spring and summer were short and welcome respites, but not without burdens. She knelt to her knees near the head and shoulders of the dead stag. Using her nose and horns she managed to nose her way under and get part of it on her strong shoulders and back. She looked over at him, "Even a male your size cannot carry this on his own. Now get over here if you are going to help." She shifted her weight so she would be able to stand easily once he came to help. She gave him another look, "I'm Cupressus, Empress of the Empire"

[salem]

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[atrb=background,http://i55.tinypic.com/iw3hq0.jpg,url] Normal! "Talking!" Salem saw her looking him up and down. He kept still, allowing her to make her observations. He nodded once she allowed him to rest in her lands. However, when she spoke of the harsh and unforgiving nature of the tundra, it perked his interests. "Harsh and unforgiving... Perhaps this is a place I should be. Somewhere where punishment comes with the enviorment. Perhaps I could somehow find a way to repent here..." His thoughts trailed as he gazed longingly into the distance, his mind filled with new wonders. In his mind, he wanted punishment for the sins he had committed against his religion. Now that he thought about it, a tundra would be a perfect place. Where survival is hard, where hard work and strength is key. He'd have to ponder on that one for a little while. He shook his head to come back to reality. "Ah, no need to worry. I think I can handle it. I'm used to pushing myself." He saw that Cypress was at the stag, lifting it up onto her shoulders. He was a little surprised at the strength she possessed for her size. Then again, he reminded himself she was a Yagi. He flapped his wings a single time to set the feathers back in place as he moved towards her, lowering his head under the prey and shifting it onto his back. He tried to take more of the weight, as it was a male thing to try and look big and tough. Salem looked at her and smiled. "A pleasure to meet you, Cupressus." He tentively began to walk, trying to put his movement in a rythmic sense with hers. His eyes kept searching the land as she led. "It's beautiful here. I must say, I do quite like it. The natural course of an ice wonderland is a perfect place for me." He grinned to himself.

[Cypress]

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[atrb=background,http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/ac298/Wonderwhy_wolves/cypress-1.png] Once he was closer, she realized that she was taller than him as well as heavier. Maybe it had been his wings that made him look larger. She may be small for a yagi, but that didn't mean she was small compared to the rest of the wolves in existence. She shouldered the weight, trying to make it even. She lead with the head of the stag aiming him toward the center of the packlands, where the dens were located. "My mate will be happy to hear that you are willing to work. " She moved steadily, easily, her worn paws hitting the ground as if it was ingrained in her mind. The uneven patches barely made her loose step. She could not help but notice his feathers after a while, she was unsure how she felt about myou. She had never really been around them, "You are a myou?" It was an odd question, but she didn't know what else to ask. It was going to be a long walk. Her ears flickered as he complimented her landscape. Her eyes narrowed in confusion, she had never really considered her home as beautiful. It was calming at times, but it was land. She looked at it now, the sun glistened over the ground as if diamonds had been trapped there. She looked back at the male, "I suppose it is nice to look at. You think you would stay after all?" He seemed to have thought about it. She would not deny that more helpers would be..well helpful.

[salem]

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[atrb=background,http://i55.tinypic.com/iw3hq0.jpg,url] Normal! "Talking!" Salem didn't notice their size difference, as his mind was enveloped in the scenery around him. His mind was going nuts with the idea. Finally, somwhere where he could perhaps repent! If he stayed here and endured through the harsh iceland, and if he worked hard for this pack, perhaps he could be forgiven. He couldn't help but feel a little excitement inside him. But at the same time, it caused him pain. He began to think of the lives he had taken, of all the mistakes he'd made. He lowered his ears and he suddenly felt cold and distant. Even if he did attempt to try and repay his sins, how could he? He had blood of innocent wolves on his paws. He twitched uneasily, grunting low. Cypress' voice made his head snap to her. She was asking if he was a Myou. He bit his lip, recalling all of the stories he had heard from his faith saying that Myou's were hated because of the religion. He didn't exactly know if he wanted to answer or not. However, he sighed in relief when she reverted back to the scenery. "Really? I find it very beautiful. It kind of reminds me of my home when the snows came..." His voice trailed as he looked into the distance. He sighed. "I also like the whole survival part of it. You have to work hard to survive in places like this. I have debts I need to repay... I was thinking a place like this would be a perfect place to do so." He didn't expect her to know exactly what he was talking about. He was referring to his sins, and he knew the Yagi probably wouldn't understand his way of life. He had encountered many wolves in the past that have said how strange they were to believe in such things.

[Cypress]

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[atrb=background,http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/ac298/Wonderwhy_wolves/cypress-1.png] She made a note that he avoided answering her question. She didn't like secrets. Her tail lashed a little but she did not speak on it again he clearly had a past. She would have to ferret it out of him eventually, especially if she was going to allow him to stay in her home. It might not be the best thing to talk about on the first day of joining a pack. She snorted as he spoke of his homeland, "Sorry...but you get tired of snow after a while. Especially if you live here." There was a note of sorrow in her voice, there had been some bitter memories in this snow. Wolves had disappeared in the icy tomb, never to been seen again. She shifted her path a little as they began going up a slight hill. Perhaps now was a good time to give him a little warning, "My family and I do not appreciate secrets. You do not have to tell me now, but I do expect to know what you are and what you are hiding from me." Her voice was calm, almost motherly, yet there was a stern not of a disciplinarian in there. "I will not judge you for it. Just don't let it harm my pack."

[salem]

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[atrb=background,http://i55.tinypic.com/iw3hq0.jpg,url] Normal! "Talking!" The sorrow in her voice made Salem think. The tundra was a hard to place to live, no doubt wolves must haven't failed to survive in it. He gazed at her with sympathy. He knew it must be hard for a leader to watch some of her pack die, whether they be close or not. He looked back to his paws, thinking again. "It's a tough life out here. Would even I be able to endure?" He thought for a few moments, going over all the facts again, until the alphess spoke again. The Eagle Myou's wings twitched to her comment. His eyes narrowed as she added the last part. "I can assure you, it is not something that could harm you or your pack." His voice had gained a slight edge, as he was very defensive about anything of his self-being. Her comment had also made him assume that she ment he would be a threat to her pack, which in the end brought up thoughts of his past. He padded beside her, keeping his mouth shut to calm himself down. He focused back on the sky as the day slowly continued. Thinking of something else to say, he turned his head to her. With a more mellow tone, he spoke softly, "How big is your pack, if you do not mind me asking?" His eyes watched hers, rolling his shoulder blade a little to make it less tense.

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Sorry I'm a bit out of muse at the moment.

[Cypress]

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[atrb=background,http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/ac298/Wonderwhy_wolves/cypress-1.png] Sure she may have been a bit blunt about it, but she was not usually in very kind or understanding moods after hunting. She kept moving keeping the pace even for him to keep up. She was making sure to keep him in her peripheral. So she was quick to pick up the narrowing of the eyes, her ears twitched at the sharpness of tone. "I'm sure you understand my concern. What with letting strangers near my family." She matched his tone, the edge tempered by the fire in her eyes. She welcomed help, but she wanted to be sure she could trust it. Her pace never faltered as she responded. She let the air fill with the tension for a few seconds, letting the words float in the thin air. She let out a sigh after a while though, she would not attack him, but he needed to know she would defend her family. A cool breeze came over them, it seemed to lift the silent veil over them. Her ear twitched as he spoke once more. She cleared her throat, more conversational this time around, "At the moment it is still growing...relatively small. We have around ten members, but the weather tends to make the numbers fluctuate. Some wander off...." It was hard to keep track at times. At least most the packs in the lands were amiable enough to allow mingles.

[salem]

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[atrb=background,http://i55.tinypic.com/iw3hq0.jpg,url] Normal! "Talking!" Salem's ears twitched. Her voice had matched his and she had countered his comment with her own. He held his breath for a moment, mind reeling backwards to his choice of words. Though he was usually a thorough thinker, his own life came without hesitation. He thought his life as his own personal story and did not like to share it with others. He cleared his throat again and made sure his voice was more even. "Ahem... I apologize for my rashness, Empress. I get a little... Ehm... Touchy when it comes to the questions of myself. I'm not used to discussing my life with others, and I'd rather avoid it." He grunted as the snow collapsed under his paw to a divit in the earth and made him stumble. He quickly caught his footing back, pushing his end of the stag up a little more for easier movement. His golden eyes caught hers as she told of her pack. His hopes were confirmed. This landscape was a merciless ice land. He looked up as he saw the land slowly beginning to slope to a slightly different path, one that had been walked upon many times. They must be getting close to the denning area. Salem's head snapped upwards as a caw echoed overhead. A strangely feathered bird flew above them, eyeing the stag they carried. He made a sharp sound to it. As if understanding him, the bird turned and headed the other way. His head lowered back down to its previous positon. Being one with the second soul of a Golden Eagle, he had vaguely learned the birds language. He thought for a moment before looking back at Cypress, a question catching his thoughts. "Do any of the Empire, by chance, follow a... Religion of some sort?" He wasn't exactly sure if she would understand what a religion was overall, but he wanted to know. If there were other wolves here with a different belief system, he could perhaps find a little trouble.