Just Another Day *Joining*

[flyingwaffles]

The colors of the environment faded as the bleak sun approached the western horizon. As the Parran Taiga faded into twilight, Hayate stopped for a moment to catch his breath. He'd been running all day if search of this stunning forest, where the trees never died and always stood tall. The frigid air was starting to grow on Hayate, he found it easier to breath then the hot, humid air of places he visited in the past. He felt that more breathable air was a fair trade off for the lack of warmth, since it had already started to transition into winter and snow descended gently from the sky. At night however, Hayate didn't feel quite as comfortable, for the climate got even colder. Though Hayate did wish for the temperature to rise a few degrees, it wasn't his main focus right now. Hayate was alone for nearly a year now, and it was starting to get to him. He wanted to be surrounded by others, a feeling he hasn't felt for almost his entire life now. His previous traveling companion had informed him of a pack up north, and since Hayate was in search of companionship, it would only be the natural choice to seek them out. He also doubted he could safely and happily live out his life alone, and he might find what he's been looking for all this time; maybe his brother went through a similar situation, maybe he had joined this pack. Hayate would be glad if a pack even existed here, as it would give him someone to speak to. He spent enough time admiring the scenery and searching his thoughts. The sky was turning a dark-grayish, and he knew night was approaching.

"It's the same thing, day after day." Hayate muttered to himself under the rustling of the trees. "Maybe tomorrow will be different." It was unlike Hayate to complain like this, but he had a lot on his mind. What if he did meet an alpha, or someone who would be able to get him in? How would he react? He hadn't been in a pack for most of his life, so he was confused over how someone of higher rank should be treated. He went through some conversations in his head. First, he tried being formal, but it just didn't sound right to him, and he chuckled to himself. He tried being fierce and overconfident, but realized it would more likely get him in a fight than get him accepted. He gave up and decided he would just be himself, and give a friendly and casual hello. He was still worried about making his first impression, but figured that he shouldn't worry about it until the time came. He picked his tails about in inch higher of the ground, trying to look more joyful and welcoming, but to no avail. It just wasn't how Hayate was, and he went back to his usual slouching position. He hadn't sniffed out any other wolves in the area, so he decided to look for a place to stay the night. Hayate loved exploring, but this was taking it too far. He'd spent the night in the unknown for far too long, and needed somewhere constant to sleep for once. He laid next to a towering conifer, not the ideal place he was thinking of, but it was better than nothing. He just had to keep his hopes up. He'd have to come across someone, somewhere, eventually. Hayate's thoughts kept him up, even though he was more tired than he's ever been. Irritated by the snow that had gotten into his ears, Hayate rubbed his head over the rough trunk of the tree. He couldn't help but laugh at himself, worrying over a little snow when all this was going on. He started chasing the falling snowflakes and catching them in his mouth. He didn't care how ridiculous it looked. Hayate knew he was close, he wanted to keep searching, but figured it was for the best to take a break.

[|-Alucio-|]

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[atrb=background,http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q21/winkatuck/aluciowhole-1-3-1.png] The open stretch of land before him invited him to do a number of things. Hunting was one of them and while his pack needed the food badly, especially all the females. However, he was not out here to hunt for his family. He was out here to patrol and protect his family. There was only one official hunter in the pack, or at least one with the title of a hunter, and he knew they needed more. For those who protected the pack, they could not hunt all the time and keep up their duties of protecting the pack. Their job was strictly protection and fighting. He had to admit to himself, though, hunters were more valuable at the moment. Alucio sighed and stretched his wings out wide as he padded through the thick blanket of snow that had laid itself down over the last few days. His dark brown fur was thick in itself and had fluffed considerably since winter began, leaving him warm in most situations. He certainly had no problem remaining warm during the winter and he never had. The sun caused the gold hints in his pelt to shimmer with every move he made and he knew he'd be a target for any animal that dare try. He was getting a tad on the older side, but he was still strong and young at heart. Nothing could catch the Keiyou if it put forth the slightest effort. The tall, lanky male sauntered along until night fell upon his home. His ice blue eyes scanned the area carefully, watching for anything that would pose a threat to his home. The moon was full and bright, casting its light upon the snow through the clouds. The snow on the ground provided enough light to see what was around him, yet the snow falling also added to the effect. It was nice out. Cold, silent (except for his footsteps), but nice all the same. Most were probably asleep at this hour and he could not blame them. Exhaustion was normal during winter, because everyone tried so much harder to survive. His ears twitched when he heard a rustling in the snow and he quickly melded into the shadows, his dark pelt hiding him from view. He stepped delicately from one root of a tree to another, keeping his massive wings tucked in at his sides, and made no sound as he neared the source of the noise. Peering around the trunk of the tree, he was immediately displeased when he saw a Lyxxus catching snowflakes. It bothered him to know that this wolf was so far into the territory and not one Hauld had managed to scent him in the slightest. It bothered him that there was an intruder, no matter how small and impotent, on his family territory. Alucio stepped out of the tree's shadow and revealed himself entirely. His wings flayed and lifted slightly. It did not take long for him to stretch them out all the way, intensifying his appearance to seem threatening. He appeared bigger than he actually was, and no matter what he was still much larger than this Lyxxus. He knew scaring him off would prevent him from asking to join the pack, but the Skoll knew that his pack came first and his first reaction was to get rid of intruders. "What do you think you are doing so far inside my territory?" Perhaps if he could pull off most dominant, then he'd get answers. He wasn't Ahote, though, and he knew that.

[flyingwaffles]

Hayate felt a rush of emotion as the snow he had been catching melted in his mouth. Contrary to what he had thought, there was another wolf in the area. It was a Keiyou, very well groomed, calling to Hayate from behind a tree. At first sight, he felt embarrassed. He was certain there was no one else around, and here comes the Keiyou, while he was in the middle of messing around and doing something completely pointless. His next emotions where conflicting. Hayate was relieved that he had finally found some one, and some one who claimed the land as their own, no less. On the other hand, Hayate was still nervous and confused. He'd thought that he would have more time to practice his speech, but he knew the moment was now.

Hayate stared the wolf in the eyes. He had the voice of a leader and the look of a leader, and proclaimed the land his own, so Hayate was almost doubtless. The wolf's fur looked almost as if it were glowing golden in some places, and his wings were no different. Hayate looked the wolf over in admiration. You didn't see that kind of color everyday, and Hayate's first encounter with a wolf in such a long time left him rather stunned. The wolf's tone of voice made it apparent that the wolf demanded a reply, and that Hayate wasn't welcome to just romp around like he had been.

He didn't get his hopes up however. Hayate knew there would be a chance that he wouldn't be accepted, and would have to go back to his long search. His tails were brushing the ground back and forth, but Hayate tried to hide his tension and stopped them. He didn't want to just keep on wandering from place to place, and wondered if he should have joined the pack of his previous companion when he got the chance. Living as an either an equal or alone for most of his life, he wondered if he could even function in a pack setting. He barely even remembered the ranks that his old pack had established.

"Pleased to meet you." Hayate tried to manage a friendly smile. "I came here in looking for a pack. It can get pretty lonely out there on your own. You're in charge, am I right?" Hayate felt it wasn't necessary to mention his previous companion. It might make him seem more resourceful, in fact. He also tried to keep from shivering. It would make him seem to have adjusted to the climate better. Whatever happened, there was no changing it. He just had to keep answering everything asked of him, and hope. All Hayate could do was hope, and Hayate was hoping with all his heart.

[|-Alucio-|]

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[atrb=background,http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q21/winkatuck/aluciowhole-1-3-1.png] He sized up the small Lyxxus before him, wondering what use he would be to the pack. Like Nautic, the tiny thing could be a fighter, but he would not give away the position. There were too many fighters in the pack and they needed more hunters. While all the males could hunt in their spare time, the current season called for the males to focus solely on hunting, but protecting the borders was important too. While the pack could not leave the borders unguarded, they did need to feed the numerous pups within the borders and their mothers as well. They were the most important within the pack, the ones who provided the next generation. Alucio gave a mental chuckle at the admiration in the Lyxxus' eyes, wondering what it was he was so fascinated with. He was not the real leader of the pack, but he was one of them. The lands were not really his, but it was his job to protect them and to welcome new members into the pack. He was one of the three to see to the trespassers and either chase them out or allow them into the ranks. Regardless, he would keep an eye on any new members just to make sure the rules were followed. If they weren't, a warning would be ensued and if breaking continued, he knew that the punishment was eviction or death. "I am Alucio, one of two Skoll in the Aurelian Enclave. Ahote is the Drott and Duchan is the other Skoll. Together, the three of us lead this pack." He gave a laugh and sat himself down. He curled his lion's tail around his legs and tucked his wings into his side. "I am one of the ones in charge, yes. I was merely testing you, at first, to see if you were an aggressive trespasser or just a harmless wanderer." This much was true. Alucio was a kind male and was rarely aggressive unless he needed to be, but with all new members, unless female, he would extort an emotion that would provoke a reaction out of them. That reaction weighed on his answer of letting them into the pack. "You look for a home here, you say? What is it that you can do that would be of value to us? Fighting is not one of your options. We've already got too many of those." While it was not a bad thing that they had a lot of fighters, they just didn't need any more at the moment because there was little chance of being attacked. Due to their new alliance with the Children and the Cadre, there was very, very little chance that anyone would mess with them. If one pack was harmed, then another pack would be right there to back them up. That's pretty much how alliances worked. His icy eyes stared at the Lyxxus, waiting for an answer.