Victorious, as a hunter should be..

[ellice]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,422,true]

[atrb=background,http://i1203.photobucket.com/albums/bb390/Bluewillowtree/Mishkamiddle.jpg] Mishka was crouched down in a small hollow within the long grass of the Aehlii Plains. Completely submerged in the meadow, she kept her weight low to the ground and body movements to a minimum. She had caught the scent of deer towards the edge of the Alliance border and did not want to miss an opportunity to brush up on her hunting skills, not to mention she was feeling rather ravenous. Mishka had been accepted into this pack as a hunter and, being younger than the others, felt it was time to show she was worthy of the rank. Her ears flicked round to the edge of the plains, catching slight sounds of hooves treading on the sunbaked earth. She crept forwards one paw at a time, so slowly that only the odd few blades of grass were disturbed. This could have easily been mistaken for a jackalope or synesinger making their way through the long grass. This movement was effortless for Mishka, for she was slender, agile and far smaller than many other species. She narrowed the gap between her and the deer to a hundred yards or so, now being able to see clearly with her bright blue eyes the prey, which stood grazing, completely unaware of her presence. There was just four of them, more a family than a herd, a male stag and three does. The stag was too big for Mishka to take down on her own, but one doe was young and fairly small and would be easy enough to kill. Silent still, Mishka tried to keep all senses focused on her prey, but a strange almost itchy sensation in her tail was putting her off. She wanted to get at it with her teeth, but any sudden sharp movement would scare off her prey. Mishka’s mother had told her while she was still young that her type of wolf had a tail that split into two when it came the time of their second birth year. She did not know when her birth was, but perhaps it was causing the irritation in her tail… Mishka was suddenly aware that she’d allowed herself to become distracted by her thoughts. She did not have much time as any change of the wind and her scent would be carried towards the deer. It’s now or never... She thought to herself. The young deer had shifted slightly, facing sideways on to Mishka now; it’s head low to the ground as it grazed. Her eyes locked on to their target, the young deer’s neck and she readied herself to attack. Her heartbeat quickened with the adrenaline that began pumping through her veins. Like a bullet, Mishka sprung from the grass into a wild sprint towards the deer. They scattered, but the young deer was not quick like the others and Mishka was able to catch up to it within seconds. Eyes still glued to her target, she made one final leap and hurled herself at the deer, sinking her teeth into it’s fleshy neck. The deer bellowed out in pain, bucking and leaping in attempt to remove herself from Mishka’s grasp. However she had her jaws locked in tight and, as the hot metallic blood rushed out, the deer’s attempts became weak and limp. Mishka soon had the deer to the ground as it gasped its last few lifeless breaths before dying in Mishka’s grasp. No longer feeling the deer’s pulse in her mouth, she let go and licked the blood that covered her muzzle. Sitting down, she began to feel the fatigue in her muscles from the sudden excursion of energy, but was not tired. Looking once more over the dead deer, a proud smile crept over her blood stained face. She was victorious.

[olympia]

Kuruk stood upon a slight hill on the border to the Alliance, sensing the pack territory before him. There was no hostility in the air and he did not feel uncomfortable standing on the verge of another pack’s land. After all it was what he was searching for, a new home where he could set up his own future as far away as possible from his father. He winced slightly at the thought of his father, the last memory of him being that of a murderer. Just then a movement in the grass further below him caught his attention. His impeccable eyesight, and the advantage of being on an incline, could make out the shadow of a wolf in the grass moving away from him. He looked out further to where she was headed and noticed the small group of deer at the border edge.
Hmmm this is going to be interesting.. Ruk smiled to himself as he settled down to watch the wolf hunt. He noticed her stop in the grass not far from the deer, what was she waiting for? The deer had already shifted and it would not be long until they picked up on her presence. Just as Kuruk was pondering this thought, quick as a flash the wolf leapt from the low crouch she had held in the grass and was after the young deer. His sky blue eyes were glued to her form. She was sleek and agile, her pale caramel fur glistening slightly in the sunlight. Kuruk could tell she was a Lyxxus, like himself, but her single tail proved that she not yet of two years. However this did not seem to hinder her ability. Ruk watched intently as she skillfully locked on to the thickest part of the deer’s neck and held tight. Surprisingly powerful for such a slender female He followed the deer to the ground, the smell of metallic blood lingered in the air and made him hungry.
Following his hunger, Kuruk padded down to the female, his two tails wagged slightly as he walked. He did not want to confront her, so sat a few meters back guessing she would sense his presence. However when she did not, and had sat down Kuruk called out to her. “A clean kill, I am impressed by your skill milady. I pray, where did you learn so young?” He spoke in his deep soft voice.

ooc: I hope you don't mind me joining in as my joining post? =3

[ellice]

Erm not at all , I dont think I can accept you into the pack but I'm sure someone else will come along to do so.

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,422,true]

[atrb=background,http://i1203.photobucket.com/albums/bb390/Bluewillowtree/Mishkamiddle.jpg] Mishka started at the deep male voice that had come from behind her. She whipped round to see a chocolate brown male sat before her. She had not seen him before and he did not smell like one of the pack. Instinctively she crouched down with teeth bared and ears back against her head, a growl rumbled from her throat. “Who are you?” she snarled slightly, standing protectively in front of her kill. Mishka looked at the brown wolf carefully, he looked young and handsome in a rugged sort of way. He had two tails that were twitching slightly as he sat. He was a wolf like she, a Lyxxus, and showed no signs of ferocity towards her. He was just sat there and if he had been aggressive, he would have taken the opportunity to attack when her back was turned. Mishka suddenly felt slightly embarrassed but her aggressive performance, she relaxed her stance and removed the snarl from her face. Although she had never met a male wolf, or even known another other than her brother, and didn’t know how to react. “I’m sorry, I did not mean to growl at you.” She abruptly processed what this wolf had asked her, how she’d learnt to hunt so young. “My skills were taught by my mother from very young for it was just she and my brother that I knew. We had no pack to care for us and therefore needed the ability to survive from an early age. They are no longer with me now..” Pain struck Mishka as she reminisced about her mother and brother and how they were lost from this world. She became angry at the wolf sitting before her, as he had made her think of dead family. ”Anyway what are you doing here? This is Alliance territory, home to equality and freedom, where we live peacefully with one another. What business do you have entering these lands?” Although Mishka had only been with the Alliance a short time, she had grown attached to her new found home and family and felt the need to protect it. She then thought back to when Magispar, how kindly she had been, first greeted her even when she’d fallen asleep in her territory. Mishka was then annoyed with herself, and looked away from the wolf, staring down at her paws. She could not be unfriendly to this stranger; he may simply be seeking a new home as she was. She at least had to give him the benefit of the doubt. “I’m sorry for my rudeness, let me start over. My name is Mishka, what is yours?” She said in a friendly tone, sitting down again waiting to find out whether this wolf was to be friend or foe..

[Evelyn <3]

OOC: I'm going to join in and act like Evelyn knows you, Mishka, because I meant to have her say hello at the meeting but Magi ended it before I could. Also, since this is a pack of equality, anyone in the pack (except the pups, I'm sure) can accept a new member. If you're uncomfortable with it, then that's mainly the reason Evelyn is here. She's a Fighter, so it's all good, okay? You can PM Magispar if you have any other questions.

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,500,true]

[atrb=background,http://i53.tinypic.com/3h8qw.gif] Evelyn was bored, still projecting the usual colors onto her pelt: snow white with black paws, ears, and tail tip. She sighed, having left the camp only minutes ago to search for something to do. She patrolled every day and some of the other Fighters told her to take at least a day off to rest herself. Well, this was it...and she had no idea what she was supposed to do, so she got off her bum and decided to do the one thing the others told her not to do: patrol. The 200 year old Lumen made her way to the Aehlii Plains, where she hadn't gone in awhile, and carefully approached it. It was only then that she caught the familiar scent of one of her packmates, a younger one. It was a lyxxus for sure, but she wanted to be absolutely positive it was who she thought it was. She peered closer with her crimson eyes and saw it was indeed the wolf she thought it was, managing to catch her just in time to watch her make her kill. She was about to reveal herself and go greet the young Hunter, but stopped once another lyxxus appeared. Evelyn studied them, pausing to see what young Mishka would do. At first, she was hostile, then apologetic, then hostile again, then apologetic once more. The Fighter couldn't help but smile at her innocence, knowing there was a great chance she was clueless on what to do. Evelyn strolled out of the brush and trotted happily towards the two wolves, a smile on her face as she slowed to a stop beside her comrade. "Now, now Mishka, he's a guest. Let's be kind to him." She paused to glance at the male and then looked back at the female. "That was an impressive catch indeed, Mishka. I'm not meant for hunting, which is why I'm a Fighter instead." Evelyn returned her attention to the young male, the smile still present on her face. "Welcome to the Connewa Meadow, stranger, home to the Philia Alliance, as Mishka said. I am Evelyn, a Fighter of this pack." She was trying to be nice and not let her prankster side get the better of her. She refrained from becoming invisible and messing with the young wolves. "I mean not to be rude, but I would appreciate it if you did state your business on our lands. It's protocol, my dear."

[olympia]

Kuruk could not help but chuckle at the female’s indecisiveness. She seemed unable to make up her mind whether to be aggressive or not. How innocent she is.. he mused as a slight smile crept across his face. Although she had snarled at him, she seemed to be gentle enough, not to mention quite beautiful as she relaxed her stance and stood before him, the sun gleaming down on her coat. The left side of her face was darker than the right, matching her ears and tail. It was a strange marking, but enhanced her eyes that were like looking into a crystal clear ocean.

Ruk got carried away studying the femme when he suddenly realized she had become aggressive again. She had mentioned about her family and he could only assume by the hurt look on her face that his question had brought back a painful memory. Kuruk took step closer and was about to apologize for bringing up something painful to her, when she went off again. How curious, a pack that is equal with each other? I assume this must mean there is no hierarchy, if every wolf has freedom?.. Kuruk was confused but interested at the same time. After coming from a pack that was dependent on its order of authority, this one seemed rather intriguing.

As he was about to ask further about the pack, and explain why he was here, the Lyxxus had once again changed her tone. It was far friendlier as she apologized for her rudeness and introduced herself. Mishka?.. Mishka. Oh what a lovely name. Kuruk smiled at her as she sat down. He was about to introduce himself when he sensed the presence of another female from the pack. Just then a Lumen made her way out from the bushes and stopped beside Mishka. He chuckled lightly to himself as the female told Mishka to be kind, then went on welcome him to their pack lands.

Kuruk bowed his head slightly “Greetings Mishka, I am sorry for catching you off guard before, and greetings to you to Evelyn, thank you for welcoming me. My name is Kuruk, I mean no harm by entering into your lands. I was merely passing through, but what you said Mishka has me intrigued, is there no hierarchy or authority in place of this pack? No separation between strength or weakness?” He paused and shook himself slightly, as the smell of the deer had filled his nose, to clear the thought of hunger from his head.

”I shall not bore the both of you with my story, but I ran away from my pack as the pressure of unjust leadership was looming over me. I have travelled far, now searching for somewhere to start a fresh future where the decisions I make be of my own and not someone else’s.” Perhaps this was the place Kuruk was looking for, it was however up to Mishka and Evelyn whether or not to drive him off their lands.

[ellice]

OOC: Thanks Evelyn, that’s fine xD I was going to say hello to everyone, but didn’t get chance to. Ahh ok I didn’t realize Mishka could accept others since she was only just accepted herself, but as you’re here, you can now

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,422,true]

[atrb=background,http://i1203.photobucket.com/albums/bb390/Bluewillowtree/Mishkamiddle.jpg] Mishka felt flustered, especially when the brown Lyxxus seemingly began to study her from head to toe. She had embarrassed herself with her silly nonsense of toing and froing between aggression and friendliness. Oh I really am stupid at times She thought to herself as the male smiled at her when she sat down. Mishka tilted her head slightly looking inquisitively at this wolf when her nose suddenly caught the scent of one of her pack mates and her ears pricked up at the sound of movement through the bushes. She was silently relieved when Evelyn appeared out from the bushes and made her way towards her. “Hello Evelyn” She called, a smile across her face and a slight wag in her tail. The sudden movement of her tail had made it itch again. This inconvenience was beginning to irritate her, but Mishka sat still trying to ignore it. "Now, now Mishka, he's a guest. Let's be kind to him." Evelyn had replied to her and Mishka felt herself blush on the inside, as Evelyn must have seen her failing sociable attempt at greeting the male Lyxxus. However she had also noted her impressive kill, and a sudden feeling of pride flooded through her, a feeling she had long forgotten after being alone for a long time. It made her feel warm inside. Mishka listened intently as the brown male spoke again in his smooth gentle voice. He apologized for intruding and once again made Mishka feel very self-conscious for making such a big deal out of it in the first place. His name was Kuruk, it seemed to suit this rather large Lyxxus and although she did not know why, Mishka instinctively liked it. “Indeed you are correct Kuruk, although I have not been with this pack long, I can tell you there is no judgment made on your strength or weakness. I’m sure Evelyn can agree with me that we are each equals here.” Mishka smiled now at Kuruk, feeling far more kindly towards him than she had done initially. Her eyes lit up as he spoke of wanting a fresh start for his future, suddenly feeling that she could relate similarly to him in wanting a new future of her own as well. Her smile brightened as she stood up, stretched slightly and moved closer to Kuruk. “Well if you are looking for a new future, perhaps this is the place for you to start? I fell upon this land not long ago searching for a new home and was made to feel so free and welcome. Maybe you would feel the same way? Of course if you want to stay here that is, your welcome to.” Mishka realized that her sudden hope for a friend, someone like Kuruk, was causing her to get ahead of herself. She turned to look at Evelyn “Isn’t that right Evelyn?” She asked, knowing the Lumen would have far more wisdom of the pack and accepting one into it than she did.

[Evelyn <3]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,500,true]

[atrb=background,http://i53.tinypic.com/3h8qw.gif] Evelyn smiled at Mishka, nodding in agreement with her statement. This pack was equal, and she herself was beginning to see such things were possible. She hadn't originally believed in equality herself, but only because her previous pack made her think of such things. However, the Alliance was starting to prove her own morals wrong. She certainly didn't mind, because she was beginning to like it. She liked the idea of everyone in the same pack being equal, no differences between strength and weakness, no differences between rank except for their title. It was when the male spoke of his past and such that Evelyn began to relate. When he was finished, she watched her young Hunter friend move closer and talk happily. Evelyn smiled, somehow seeing the two's lives tangled somewhere in the future. She stood there, her attention redirected when she was asked a question. She could only nod in her agreement for the moment, allowing some words full of uncanny wisdom come to her mind. She stepped closer when she decided to speak. "Yes, Mishka. Perhaps I can put a little detail into your explanation, allow him to understand better." Evelyn sat herself down and kept her crimson gaze on the male, Kuruk as he called himself. It was an interesting name, certainly not one she had heard before in her 200 years of life. "The Philia Alliance has no true leader and everyone has a say in everything. The only difference between our ranks is our titles and what we do with them. Mishka is a Hunter, so she brings food to the pack. I am a Fighter, so I defend the pack and convey messages between the Alliance and other packs. As well, it is both our jobs to teach the pups that are old enough to learn how to fight and how to hunt. Magispar is our guide, the one who suggests most of the ideas and attempts to keep the pack in order. Were this pack made of hierarchy, she would be the Alpha, but this isn't, so she's not." Evelyn paused for a moment, trying to remember if she had forgotten anything. New pack members were always a good thing, so she decided to use a little persuasiveness to get him to join. He seemed to have a decent personality and she saw him fitting in well with the pack. "You know, when I first came here, I met a wolf by the name of Keinvarii, whom we call Stone. I began teasing her and we ended up getting in a fight, which almost ended her life. She caught me during that fight, so I owed her a wish. I was about to leave, but she caught me and I told her I wanted to grant her that wish, that I wouldn't mess with it because I respected her and liked her enough not to do so." "We got in a fight because I didn't believe in equality, but I'm beginning to now. I'm beginning to see that equality can exist. Anyways, when I told her I was granting her a wish, do you know what she did wish?" Evelyn paused, almost for dramatic effect, or to see if they would take any guesses as to what her friend had wished for. "She wished for me to join the pack, and to stay long enough to see if my opinion on equality would change. She didn't wish to be stronger or to have the longest life ever. She wanted me to join her pack, and to see if I could learn their ways. Out of all the wolves I've ever met, she is the one who most deserves my respect, and I will always give it to her."

[olympia]

Kuruk watched as Mishka seemed to grow friendlier towards him, her smile brightened as she stood and moved closer. Her scent moved with her, she smelt like a summer’s day and wild flowers. Ruk took in a deep breath and listened to Mishka as she spoke enthusiastically about joining this pack they called the Alliance. “Well Mishka, perhaps it was fate that I was stopped in my tracks by your hunt. I have to admit I feel very contented in this place, it has the sense of freedom that I am searching for”

Kuruk spoke to Mishka with a kindly smile, she seemed gentle, and perhaps they would be good friends as he got to know her better. He turned then to look at Evelyn, as Mishka directed a question to her. The Lumen nodded in agreement, then seemed to take a moment as she gathered her thoughts. Ruk listened intently as Evelyn explained the pack’s inner workings, still confused slightly by the thought that a pack could run efficiently without any hierarchy. It just didn’t seem fathomable. However he decided not to ask any more questions and shook the thought from his head. Kuruk continued to listen to Evelyn’s story of when she first came to the pack, of how she got into a fight and ended up owing the wolf, Stone, a wish. “I can only guess that she would wish for power and strength? Or perhaps a skill she did not possess? Maybe she even wished for a friend?”

He stopped here and gave Mishka a quick glance before returning his gaze to Evelyn, allowing her to finish the story. Kuruk was surprised when she told him that the wish was for her to stay, in the hopes of seeing her opinion of an equal pack change. Ruk felt he could relate to her thoughts of equality, as he could not quite see how it would work. However he had run from his father, who was alpha, and the rest of his pack even though they stood for everything hierarchy meant. “Well maybe I shall have to stay here long enough to see if my own opinion on equality will change?” Kuruk chuckled as he beamed at Evelyn and Mishka showing off his handsome smile.

[ellice]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,422,true]

[atrb=background,http://i1203.photobucket.com/albums/bb390/Bluewillowtree/Mishkamiddle.jpg] The warmth of the sun was beginning to ease as time began to cross over into late afternoon. Mishka smiled as her Lumen friend nodded in response and was thankful that Evelyn was able to explain in far greater detail as to how the pack equality worked. Her words were knowledgeable and wise, and Mishka respected that her 200 years of life would have helped in those aspects. She listened attentively to Evelyn as she spoke, revealing her story of how she came to be part of the pack, intrigued having known none of Evelyn’s history. Mishka did not know stone and was yet to meet her, but was surprised to hear of the two getting into a fight. Mishka was not meant for fighting, she was a strong hunter and the thought of killing an animal for food did not faze her. However the thought of attacking another wolf could not hold strong in her mind. Mishka went to guess what Stone had wished for when Evelyn paused, but Kuruk got in before her. However he guessed the same, as she would have, the usual desires of one whose wish was to be granted. She pretended not to notice when Kuruk turn his head to glance at her when mentioning wishing for a friend, however she felt herself blush once again ever so slightly. It was soon over though as he turned back to Evelyn to hear the rest of her story. When she had finished, her eyes then focused back on Kuruk who had begun to speak. “Well maybe I shall have to stay here long enough to see if my own opinion on equality will change?” he said in his smooth voice and chucked slightly as he beamed at her. Processing what Kuruk had said, Mishka suddenly beamed back, a happy yip escaping her throat ”So does this mean you wish to stay? Well then welcome Kuruk, I’m glad you’ve decided to stay! I know my first impression wasn’t that great, but you think we could start over?” Mishka thought then back to their initial meeting after her hunt, and suddenly remembered the deer she had killed was still sat there. She turned to look at it, remembering the hungry feeling in the pit of her stomach was partly the reason she had chosen to hunt in the first place. Now then how am I supposed to get this back to the rest of the pack Mishka pondered, a puzzled look stretching itself across her face.

[Evelyn <3]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,500,true]

[atrb=background,http://i53.tinypic.com/3h8qw.gif] Evelyn smiled some at the shock on his face when she told him the truth behind that wish, and it honestly didn't surprise her. Most certainly would have believed that a wish for power and speed and life would be something that Stone would have asked of the Lumen. No matter what her wish would have been, she would have granted it with no flaws, as she respected the Lupus. No one would have thought that Stone would have asked for such a wish, but Evelyn was glad she had. She watched as Mishka yipped happily at him and spoke when he told them he pondered of staying here. She smiled, "Of course, you are welcome to stay, Kuruk, but we need to know what you can do for the pack first." She paused a moment. "The only open spots right now are to be a Fighter, a Hunter, and a Sage. So, how can you benefit to the pack?" She finished speaking and awaited for the male's response. Her eyes turned to Mishka as she glanced back at her deer, apparently wondering how she would get it back to camp. Evelyn chuckled, "Don't worry, Mishka. I will carry it back. For now let's deal with this." She turned her attention back to Kuruk.

[olympia]

Mishka grinned back at Kuruk, with a happy yip and he could sense her enthusiasm of him deciding to stay. She was certainly right when she had said this place made her feel free and welcome, Ruk was sure feeling welcome now. He gave her yip a wag of his tail. ”Yes I do wish to stay here to become part of this pack and do not fret about our initial meeting, it is already forgotten. Even if you did growl at me” Kuruk gave her a wink and a playful grin then turned his head back to Evelyn as she began to speak about needing to know what he could do for his new pack. Hmmm how can I best benefit the pack, I know nothing of sages, so that leaves me with hunter or fighter.. Ruk thought for a moment, pondering over which he would be best at.

”I feel Evelyn that I would be most useful as a fighter here. I am brave and strong and was taught from an early age how to fight well by my father, in readiness for one day becoming the next alpha of our pack. The thought of his murderous farther once again made him shudder slightly. It was not an image he liked to remember. ”But now here I will give the best of my ability to my responsibility in protecting this pack if I have to”Kuruk spoke to Evelyn in his deep smooth voice, firm but friendly as he meant what he said. He stood tall and proud, feeling now this is where he truly belonged. Ruk was now eager to see the rest of his new homelands.

He watched as Mishka turned away from them looking back to her kill. A rumble carried through his stomach, as he once again smelt the deer, a reminder of just how hungry he was. Kuruk could not remember the last time he had stopped to eat and was glad to hear Evelyn say she would carry it back. Hopefully back to where their dens were so he could finally eat, rest and have a good look around their/ his territory.