Choices. [Swallena]

[Yueh]

The balmy blanket of mist that lingered around Lake Amarenthyst at night was thick, softly pierced overhead by the twinkle of the distant stars. Heat from the day still crept into the skin and warmed in a way that was not so unpleasant. Paws pressed upon familiar sands as they sought a route taken many times before. The footfalls were silent, soft grains of mineral absorbing each movement.

The Chief had returned to the Lake, as he always did on these calming visits. However something was different this time. It would seem that this beautiful area was no longer unclaimed. He contemplated on heading home to the Valley, but should he run into any tension Yueh was sure he could defuse the situation easily. Besides, there was great potential for another Alliance here. You could never have enough allies, and such propositions were hardly knocked back.

There was also another scent that lingered in the area, and the behemoth frowned at the smell. He was unaware that his own pack member traveled so far out of the Valley. He may be blind, but his sense of smell was as keen as ever. However the Chief continued on his delicate way, audits swiveling curiously should someone decide to sneak up on him.

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[Swalleena]

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[atrb=background, i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd415/Somatra1/sback-21.png] The soft evening mist was a caress on her skin as the ghostly shape floated across the water's edge and towards the rocky shore line. The wind was at a standstill and a loon loon called out over the lake and into the darkness. The light of the stars shone through the wolf shaped smoke as it glided along, one transparent foot finally touching on land. Graceful wings unfolded from the mist as the wolf's shape became solid once again, the slender female stretching from her whisp walk. Yawning lightly she shook her fur out and paused to lap at the water's edge, the cool and clean liquid running down her throat. The evening was populated with the sounds of wild animals, muffled into one strange chorus by the thick forest and Swalleena flicked hers white ears toward the sound. Brilliant emerald eyes looked upon the impressive land, the cool shade of the evening highlighting the gold flecks that waltzed in their depths. She had joined the Children for love of the land, but since discovering this hauntingly peaceful land her heart now lay elsewhere, buried in the fogs and mist that enveloped the tall cliffs like caressing arms. It pained her to have to chose between the pack she had chosen and this land that beckoned to her, but the solitary wolf knew she must follow the call. As it were the fresh scents of wolves ran through the land confirmed the news that a pack had taken the land and word of this pack had reached the female's ears, like a whispering call she knew she was ensnared by the message. It could be none other then the Great Spirit that was softly guiding her to where she was truly needed and she could do nothing else but follow. Caught in the ethereal beauty of the land she walked along the shore, half in smoke form as the air twirled her pelt about. Stopping she raised her nose into the air, the rich and moist air filling her lungs, but it was the scent of the only wolf in the children's pack she had met that greeted her. Looking about she saw the distant shape of the large white wolf, who in the fog appeared much like a whisp himself. Fluttering her wings to rid the moisture from them she walked closer, approaching the familiar shape and throwing out a soft bark of greeting. It did not please her to have to leave or inform someone of this departure, but she knew it was the right thing to do even though no one would miss her flighty presence. Her touch was light and she rarely left tracks where she went, but she knew this wolf might note her absence. Giving the fellow an almost sad smile she said, "Good evening Yueh, it has been a little while, have you come to enjoy the night among the mist too?" Pausing she took a breath and added, "I apologize for the interruption if it was solitude you were seeking, but there is a matter that I need to inform you of, preferably sooner then later." Fog swirled around her feet almost in greeting, the land seemed to know she was part of it already and even before the whisp had accepted the decision. Turning her head slightly she said solemnly hoping her news would not anger Yueh,"I must leave the Children." Swalleena left her smoke form to sit politely by the winged brute, silently awaiting his answer.

[Yueh]

It did not take long for the white behemoth to hear something strange on the wind. The light crackle of shifting air accompanied by the soft clink of scattered pebbles as paws materialized in the dark. The scent was very familiar now, and is was that of the beloved Swallena he had accepted into the Children. She was a beautiful wolf, looking much like himself with only a few differences.

He would often sit and admire the Whisp from afar, the restless dead around him painting the perfect picture of the delicate Nurse. Tonight however, her presence felt far from delicate, and it was replaced by a small sense of sadness. He offered her a smile in her general direction as she approached him, her now solid form lightly tickling his body as she sat beside his paused frame. He followed her motion and sat too, nudging her playfully with a bulky shoulder.

"Evening dear, indeed it has. The beauty of this place just keeps bringing me back time and time again."

He nodded briefly, offering a soft smile to Swallena as she spoke of something with dire haste. It caused the Chief to tilt his head gently at her, whispers detailing the confusion deep-set within her emerald orbs.

He did not have to wait long for the answer, as she explained of her leaving of the Children. A tight sting of his own sadness fluttered through his chest and that vigilant smile faded only slightly. The pair had not been close, but the sense of any loss was not a feeling anyone took a liking to.

Blind eyes searched her face, trying to find their own sense of confirmation. But the sound of her voice was more than enough. She was quite serious, and her lack of explanation only made him more curious as to why anyone would possibly leave the Valley.

A part of the hybrid wanted to question the Whisp, but the silence of the night seemed to suffocate the thought. She had made it clear of her intentions, and obviously had made up her mind about them. He would not push her for a reason, nor would he hate her for such a decision. The Children was no prison, you were not held in the pack by a ball and chain.

Yueh mentally kicked himself for not spending more time with Swallena. She was the only female he had met in a long time that he had an instant liking too, and possibly even attraction. He ground his fangs lightly, looking back out over to the lake. After a few more moments of silence, the white behemoth parted his jaws to speak. His words were but a whisper, rolling from his open maw in a steamy sway that quickly danced within the mists of Lake Amarenthyst.

"I will miss you, Swallena."

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[Swalleena]

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[atrb=background, i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd415/Somatra1/sback-21.png] Looking up at the large wolf a word came to mind to describe him; authentic. Authenticity was hard to find, and the whisp herself usually only sought it out in the land that remained ever true to itself, constantly evolving and solid in presence it did not take anymore then it needed and gave but what it had without fancy promises. In the regrettably short time she had known Yueh she had come to at least respect his authenticity, his aura was a strong and comforting one and he presented a strong presence without trying to suffocate other's will power. She gave but a small sigh of regret, if there was one thing she would feel guilt for it was omitting to engage the wolf in further conversation. But that had always been the problem hadn't it? The whisp was too used to solitary prowls, revering in the calm and quiet of her own company where security from conceited minds was assured. Deep within her she knew the chief could have provided similar secure company, but too used to what had always been Swalleena had kept on her own. Maybe this was why she had to leave, to propulse herself into a world full of insecurity, that of a wilder land and a new pack, to grow stronger inside and to face demons that still crept into her dreams when the she-wolf lay in the dark of the heaviest of nights. Her smile began to reach her eyes upon hearing that someone would miss her, such was the momentous feeling of joy that Swalleena returned the male's nudge with a grateful nudge of her nose on his shoulder. Never before had she been missed with such a fair cause, certainly she had been missed because of the title and responsibility it had held, but never for being a simple wolf among others. Honestly she replied, "And so will I miss you..." The words trailed off in her throat, the sound of them odd to her ears for never before had she ushered them with real feeling. Swalleena gently scrutinized the white wolf's face, and her gaze almost held the whisper of a caress, what did the wolf actually see? The impressive figure at her side was large by most wolf proportions, and as a willowy wolf she should have felt trepidation at the least; she had felt such in the presence of lesser wolves. But it was not fear that fluttered in her heart, but a sense of melancholy. Frustrated she frowned, she was used to moving on without cause to stay safe, this occasion should have been no exception. In a barely audible whisper she noted, "But there is more to it." And indeed so there was, this was not a matter of survival, but one of healing and rejuvenation. Feeling dazed by the surreality of the moment she spoke again, her words confident but wistful, "I wish it were not so, could I but chose I would wish to remain with you...and the pack." Swallowing she wondered why she had said such a thing, terribly uncharacteristic of her. "But sometimes I guess we are willed to ply to the calling of higher powers and that of the land. There is something here that has a pull so much more insistent." She seriously doubted her words were making much sense, and did it matter? It might have pained her to admit it, but it certainly did, but fear of uttering nonsense was not a reason for the whisp to refrain from speaking, fear of speaking falsehoods was, and her words were true as ever.

[Yueh]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,63,true][atrb=style,-moz-border-radius: 15 35 20 25; background-image: url(http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z341/awaywithmysanity/Yueh-Table.gif);,true,] YUEH The gentle lapping of water at the edge of the lake soothed the old brute, blind eyes searching the beautiful sight. As he grew older, so did his urge to see the world around him again. He was thankful that the great spirits saved his life, make no mistake about that. But had they not taken his sight, where would he be today? Was it because of this... disability that he had never know love? Real love. Soul mate love. The white behemoth had given a lot over the years. His wisdom. His love. His protection. His trust. His very fiber. But still he felt ashamed for wanting more from others. Large head peered up at the inky sky as Swalleena spoke, if only they knew the source of that 'higher power.' One that could take just as easily as it gave. The Chief did not turn to look at the lovely Whisp as she continued, white orbs still lost in the night sky. He felt just as she had got her zest for life, he was slowly losing his. He had been here a very long time, and he had done as much as he could within it. Of course these thoughts would surface for someone such as he, and that is why he would always venture out to Lake Amarenthyst. It was peaceful here, the perfect place for one to think. After a moment of silence as Swalleena paused in her speech, Yueh turned only slightly to nod at her, acknowledging that he too has felt the same way at one point or another in his life. It was a feeling that he had no doubt every wolf felt."There is no need to explain yourself to me, dear Swalleena. Although I do appreciate you doing so. These things happen, and they happen for a reason." He offered her a genuine smile, one that slid across his maw most delicately. The moment could be seen as uncomfortable. Her life was just beginning, her undeniable urge to pull her away could not be ignored. His life was slowly ending, day by day, and the harder he thought about it, the more he accepted the fact that he had nothing to show for it. Of course through the years he had shared his knowledge, but had never seen the fruits of his labor. Perhaps he would give it all a rest now, and focus on living the rest of his days in peace, albeit alone. Shaking his head to rid his mind of these thoughts, the white brute got up and out of his self wallowing. With calm in his eyes and the moon upon his back he shuffled past the quiet Whisp fairly gracefully for something of his size. "Walk with me, Swallena?" word count ;; 474 tags ;; Swalleena ooc notes ;; Mrah musical inspiration ;;

[Swalleena]

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[atrb=background, i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd415/Somatra1/sback-21.png] Yueh's gaze seemed to be directed onto some unseen phenomenon in the depths of the mist that shrouded the lake. Swalleena could feel some morose pensive emotion laced within the great wolf's thoughts and she wondered what troubled him. It wasn't really her place to ask for although they seemed of similar heart she had yet to really know the male. Another regret that would follow her into her new life, but not one she wanted to rid herself of for the regret would keep the memory of the kind male alive. Regrets lived stronger then memories of fond times for the whisp for all the fond memories she had thought to be true had turned into cold lies. It was just as well for Swalleena had never been one to prefer soothing lies to painful honesty. She did not care to let her past pains trouble this one rare moment of connection with another being and banished the thoughts that threatened to surface. She did not view this moment as starting over, merely a continuation of where she had been already. Yueh did not seem to begrudge this betrayal of what the large brute seemed to hold dear, but all the same she felt a twinge of guilt. Sighing softly she too stared out upon the lake, the same place and yet she felt as though every wolf saw it differently. Smiling she hoped she would find the happiness she sought in the land and among the pack that lived within it. Ever the errant loner she did not have a soul to tie her down anywhere, consistently free from the joy and pains of having ones to care for. In fact since that fateful time she had never formed a bond with any wolf, flighty and fearful of what might come as a result. Sensing another change within the brute she watched curiously as he rose, his large shape moving with an incredible grace for one of his size. Fascinated she kept her gaze on his movements, the synchronized flow of his steps seeming to connect with the earth. Swalleena rose to follow suit, unfolding her body and gliding along side the male. Her own footsteps barely touched the ground as soft and wispy strands of smoke rose from each step. Her soothing voice rose to cautiously ask, "Have you found what you seek in your life?" She did not intend to pry, but perhaps the wise wolf could use an individual with which to converse.