Finally Home(JOINING)

[starrunner]

Starrunner loped through the trees, looking for small prey. He spotted a synesinger, but ran past. He had lost the taste for birds long ago. Finally he saw a jackalope through the branches and pounced. He had the creature in his mouth, but it kicked and writhed and got away. In a sudden burst of adrenaline, he chased after it. Through rivers and woods, over hills and meadows, he chased it, untill he came to a beautiful lake. There, he was so impressed with the magnificence that the jackalope got away. It was dark, but he could still make out a small island in the middle of the lake. He thought to himself that this would be a good place to live, for a while at least. First, he thought, I should scope out the woods around the lake for a good den. Starrunner turned around and opened his wings. He flew for hours on end looking for a mound or a rockpile that might contain a den. Finally, as the last bit of moon was dissappearing below the horizon, he saw a fallen tree that would be perfect. He landed and immediately started digging a hole near the tree's giant roots. When he was done he had a small, yet comfortable home.

[Somatra]

I am sorry star runner, but WW has a minimum word count of 200 words per ic post. Currently you only have 81, please add to your post and I will reply to it. Thank you, Somatra

[Keinvarii]

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[atrb=background,http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd415/Somatra1/kback-10.jpg] "Speaking" Keinvarii had been watching the winged wolf fly about her territory for most of the day, a growing scowl of disapproval on her maw as the trespasser blatantly disregarded the pack borderlines she had set up with her scent. The Queen had been more then generous in leaving part of her land open to loners, however she was equally as strict about the inner sanctuary of the rest of the territory and this wolf has disrupted this balance without even demonstrating an interest in joining. With increasing anger the stone lupus had watched as the wolf had hunted the game of the land provided by the Earth to feed her pack, and it was with great frustration that she stood helpless on the ground, no winged aerial strength to address the cumbersome trespasser. Admittedly she could have projected one of her stone daggers and quickly brought the wolf crashing down, but she did not want to harm the wolf without due cause, Keinvarii could be deadly but chose to refrain from violence as necessary. Instead she followed the wolf`s progress as it neared the forest, trailing it even into the late hours of the night and through the early hours of the darkness of morning, waiting for her chance when they would land and be at her disposal. Her incredible patience was dutifully rewarded when finally the wolf glided to the ground and began to confection what appeared to be a den near one of her beloved trees that stood watch over her pack during the long night hours. Her pale green, grey and dusty white fur stood out in the dark, vivid blue eyes burning with a passion that created a stark contrast to her dull fur and she advanced, head held high and tell taunt and straight. She would address the issue before the matter could go any further, if this was a joining member then his trespassing would be forgiven, however if not there would be consequences. Moving from the underbrush where she had been so expertly camouflaged she threw the wolf a sharp questioning look, and though it was not scathing it did little to betray the kind and loving individual the lupus had become. Keinvarii stood slightly taller than the keiyou, and her weight appeared to be easily triple his own, his scent giving away his gender. It would not take much for her to deflect an attack on his part, her flying projectiles a solid defense against any aerial assault, and so her stance was confident and left little to wonder about her own prowesses. Keinvarii spoke, her voice a solid pillar in the night, “I cannot offer any welcome to you stranger for you have been trespassing and certainly worse; hunting, on pack territory over the course of the day, a punishable offense as these lands are sacred to the Centena Accord. However I will give you the benefit of the doubt, a true demonstration of this pack`s good will as others might not be so kind. My name is Keinvarii, and I am the Centena`s Queen, why do you romp on my territory without permission?” Her words were not placid, but nor were they threatening, if a reasonable answer could be provided then there was no need for hostilities, the wolf had not demonstrated any aggressiveness to her pack during his little picnic on the Accord`s land, perhaps the fellow was merely lost? Either way, she hoped for his sake that his explanation was reasonable; it would not please her to have to distribute retribution for an undesirable crime. K e i n v a r i i 's . S o n g

[starrunner]

"speaking"
Starrunner was surprised by the wolf who came out of the bushes. So surprised, in fact, that he almost jumped into one of the surrounding trees, for he had looked so carefully toward the ground that he had been sure no one was following him. This wolf was practically three times his size, as far as he could tell, and probably a bit taller. The wolf gave him a questioning look, and for the first time he thought that he might be trespassing on someone's land. Of course, he realized as she spoke the words, a beautiful place like this couldn't be uninhabited. Then, she said she was giving him the benefit of the doubt and he knew this was his chance. He had not been in a pack for a long time. But it was worth it to live here. He decided to just tell her the truth."I'm truly sorry, Queen Keinvarii. I didn't know these were pack lands." After some hesitation, he said, "If you deny me the privilege I will understand, but perhaps I could join the pack, for I have already hunted here, and the land is quite beautiful as I have seen from flying over it. If I'm denied I will leave immediately."

[Keinvarii]

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[atrb=background,http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd415/Somatra1/kback-11.jpg] "Speaking" Keinvarii noted the genuine surprise the wolf demonstrated, and suppressed an amused smile, was this surprise at being caught or surprise that he was hunting on pack lands? His spoken words certainly supported the first hypothesis, and so the Queen concluded that the chap did not know he had set foot on sacred grounds. Very well, she thought ruefully, we will see what he has to say for himself then. Keinvarii made a mental note to inform Acélan that the pack borders would need defining again, perhaps with a male scent to mark the limits the borders would be easier to define. Really, it was a positive thing having the lupus around, despite the feud between him and Siren, and the hurt look on the hybrid`s face had been enough to almost cause her to regret her decision. The King had not needed to taunt the other male, wasn`t it bad enough that he had to submit to one he had yet to meet? It wasn`t really Acélan`s fault, once again the responsibility and weight of the issue fell upon her shoulders, and hers alone. Keinvarii knew she had to find Siren and try to repair the damage she had caused, but she wanted to let him cool off, and to be honest she feared his disappointment more than his anger. How could she tell the hybrid that he was important to her, when she had failed to mention this supposed new love? How could she look into his warm eyes and lie? It was a dilemma, one like she had never encountered before and it set her at a disease for affairs of the heart was not matters she was familiar, nor comfortable, with resolving. The Queen eyed the male wolf speculatively, he had wings, a great addition for a pack that had no aerial protection, in fact if fate should warrant it she could set this wolf to Squire and get him to train under Raynor to become a Knight, a high enough honour in itself. Yes, it would do well to have more wolves protecting the pack, though it could be mentioned that they were a rather capable bunch even if they occupied different ranks. Her face softened and her eyes loss some of the hard edge they had taken while watching him traipse across her lands. “Very well then, apology accepted, might I know the name of the wolf that seeks to join the Centena Accord?” She asked, for it only seemed proper to know with whom she was discussing such important matters. If the keiyou, by the looks of his pelt and wings, wished to join, then he would have to gain a basic understanding of what the Accord represented. “Thank you, the land is a rare sight indeed, and to be true there is plenty of game to be found during the year. Now, if you seek entrance into my pack there are a couple things that you need to be aware of when making this decision.” She cocked a brow, this little spiel always amused her, “The Centena wolves are here to serve as protectors to this land, and in turn for protecting her, Earth gifts us with plentiful game and a rich environment in which to raise our families and prosper. We hold regular homage to her, ceremonies that are to be directed by our Priest and Priestess, and Hunters are expected to give small thanks and be aware of the consequences that hunting has on the land. You will find a sense of freedom here like no other, and a bond with fellow wolves that so few have yet to experience for despite our ranks we stand equal as one together.” She said the last with vehemence, the Queen was a strong and fierce protectors of the ways of the pack, as it should have been expected. She paused for a minute to allow him to ponder her words; it was not a traditional way of living in comparison with other packs, and it encompassed old souls with new spirits living as one. Though the laws of respect to the land and each other were strict, the wolves were free to do as they pleased and live following their own guises, and many developed strong bonds over time. “We are short on Knights, they are the defenders of the pack and warriors that had a deep understanding in the ways of defence and offense. You can understand how this might put this pack as a disadvantage, such warriors are noble and many look up to them, would you be interested in joining their noble ranks? I should place you as Squire and you may train under my very own Lord of Defense, Raynor and upon completion of your training I will promote you to Knight. Would you take on this honourable task for this pack?” She queried gently, curious to see what this wolf was made of and how far he might go for his pack. It was at once a test of character and certainly one of loyalty, but all the same it was a gift she was giving the winged male. K e i n v a r i i 's . S o n g

[starrunner]

"Speaking"
Starrunner heard Queen Keinvarii ask for his name, but he was in another place, another time. A time when he would not have to scrounge for food. A time when he had brothers to play with all day. A time when one of them was still alive. It was a warm summer evening, almost hot. The whole family was outside, for it was very warm in the den. Near the great oak tree two brothers chased each other around, he couldn't remember which ones. Starrunner laid out in the sun next to his parents, absorbing the heat. He was so happy back then, but it had all changed in an instant, His brother died and Starrunner was blamed. It all came to this, where he might actually have a pack to call friends, maybe even family. Then, the dream ended, and the crunch of leaves brought him back to the reality. "My name is Starrunner, Queen Keinvarii," He said. Starrunner listened as she spoke again. It almost felt as if she were lecturing him on a subject, something he hadn't felt since his mother told him about hunting. This time though, it was about what the pack does. Once again that brought him back to a different time, but Queen Keinvarii was speaking again, and he listened carefully because he felt this was something that he would want to do. A Knight, he thought. This is my big chance! "Of course I will take the squire position, most honorable Queen. If not for myself, it is for the good of the pack," He said. This is amazing, he thought, there are only so many chances like this in a lifetime, at least, that's what my father used to say.

[Keinvarii]

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[atrb=background,http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd415/Somatra1/kback-11.jpg] "Speaking" Keinvarii was pleased to see her suggestion had gone over well with the keiyou, though she would have been just as content should he have chosen a different field of study. However, with the lack of Knights the pack was left wide open in many ways, and if pups were an option in her future then she needed wolves around to deter any other wolves from trying to penetrate the borders. As it were there were enough trespassers already, though one had to concede they came with the intent of joining, however if they could pass by without being noticed by any other than herself, then so could a common criminal. She shuddered to think what a master criminal could do in the pack`s current state and once again was grateful that Starrunner accepted the position. “My gratitude goes out to you, if this is your choice then you are most welcome into the pack. Raynor is a rather large cael, you can find him by the water`s edge or on his island in the middle of the lake. It brings me joy to know that we will have a winged wolf in our midst, I am sure you shall be a valued member by all.” She gave him a friendlier smile; now that he was one of their own she dropped the formal mannerism and gave her tail a brief wag of welcome. Shaking herself out she glanced at the night sky, deciding it was time for her to take her leave and return to the comforts of her own den. However, the Queen would not take her leave before ensuring the new member was comfortable. “Now that you are part of the pack you are most free to venture where you please, the forest is full of den areas, and I only ask that during the days you do regular fly byes over the land, I could certainly use a watchful eye. I hope you will enjoy your life here, we have plenty of females, should your interest ever be in that direction.” She gave him an encouraging wink, he was family now, as much as pack could be, and as head of the pack she wanted Starrunner to feel at home and at ease.”If you do not have any further questions I bid you goodnight and leave you to settle in, but know that I am just a howl away.” Giving a small nod she moved towards the forest and disappeared into the dark with a final bark of goodnight. K e i n v a r i i 's . S o n g

[starrunner]

"Speaking"
Starrunner found himself dreaming of his parents. His father laughing as brothers tackled him playfully, his mother ordering them in for the night. Then they were gone, like wisps of fog in the air. Starrunner knew he had a new family now, the pack, but he couldn't help remembering the good times he had with the old one. He pushed those thoughts away as Keinvarii spoke of Raynor, the large cael who would be his mentor. "I will search the edges of the lake first, then go to the island,"he said thoughtfully, more to himself than the Queen. Starrunner thought about being a knight and decided right then that it would be the perfect job for him. I can fly over the land and spot all kinds of things on the ground while doing it, he thought to himself. Keinvarii seemed to loosen up and she spoke about the freedoms he now had, including den areas. he started planning out immediately what he would do tomorrow. he would just look for another den site as he flew to meet Raynor, it was as simple as that. Queen Keinvarii bid him goodnight, and he the same, "Good night Queen Keinvarii." He turned around and settled into the small hole. Of course this one was not permanent, he would try to put the soil back, as his mother had taught him to do with all temporary dens. At last sleep came, and he dreamed of all that he would accomplish in the Centena Accord. At last he was finally home.