What Do You See? [Open]

[Chulyin]

[atrb=cellspacing,0,true][bg=#000000][atrb=cellpadding,0,true][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,400,true] The lone hunter stood at the top of the cliffs looking out over the ocean, his bright golden eyes and white shining sabres the only contrast to his midnight black coat. He shifted and sat unmoving, scenting the salty air with a grimace. It had been a year since he had returned to find his family was gone, their den ransacked and no sign of what happened to his parents, or his brothers. He often came here to contemplate their fate. His parents had long since left Odmor, and he had to wonder if they had been taken against their will, the entire area reeking of the enemies scent. He could only hope they were still alive, but something deep inside told him they were dead. They had said they would never return. It was that fact that had forced his paw and had travelled to Dosrio and begun the process of being accepted into the pack. It had taken time but he was now well established and confident within himself. He had to be.

[cs=3]

[Pheonix]

Her dark paws made little sound a she walked across the cliff. She was silent, almost invisible as the night embraced her; it shielded her from those who wished her harm.

She blinked. Bright orange eyes shining from the darkness of her face. The markings on her legs seemed to move and waver, seemed to burn, as the wind ruffled her long fur. She walked up, closer to the edge of the cliff. The water roared in her sensitive ears. That's when she smelt him. Who 'him' was? She did not know, but he smelt like her. He smelt like one who belonged to the lands he stood upon.

The wolf was black, black as the night that surrounded him. She sat in the cover of shadows while watching him. He smelt like Dosrio, but she could never be to careful.

After awhile of watching she stepped out of the shadows. The fire markings bright across her legs and tail. Her wings were tight across her body. They blended with her fur, one who did not know they were there were unlikely to see them.

So there she stood, watching the strange wolf upon the cliff. Waiting for him to see her.[/size]

[Chulyin]

[atrb=cellspacing,0,true][bg=#000000][atrb=cellpadding,0,true][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,400,true] He heard the wolf move up behind him, only another hunter could get so close without him realising sooner. The scent that wafted from the stranger was that of his own pack, but that didn't mean he would lower his guard. He considered spinning rapidly to face the wolf that dared to interrupt his contemplation but something deep down told him this was not the best course of action. He took his time, stretching and turning, making out the shape of another dark wolf. At the sight of her burning markings though his heart leapt into his throat, he only knew of one wolf that possessed this description. Lowering his tail and ears in submission to his queen and averting his golden eyes, he bowed his head respectfully. He was worth little but dirt beneath her paws. "My queen." he muttered respectfully. All of his other senses were now on high alert. One of such rank in such an open space had his nerves on edge. They should be perfectly safe within their own borders but who knew what the enemy would resort to? He had heard whispers amongst the ranks of pups disappearing in the night, and of ghostly apparitions roaming the crossings. His personal opinion was that it was merely white wolves crossing under cover of darkness but some were more superstitious than others. He wondered what had bought her here, to the cliffs, but he didn't dare to speak until spoken to. It was not his place, yet. He had dreamed of rising to the ranks, but the opportunity had not arisen yet. He knew he would need to prove himself to be offered such a distinction.

[cs=3]

[Pheonix]

She smiled slightly at the greeting. This was often the way such conversations went. She was referred to as queen, although she was, sometimes she wished to be a normal wolf, with a normal rank. Other wolves always acted.. Strange around her. At least the greeting showed her they still trusted in her. Or so she hoped. She looked back to him. Her tail wagged slowly as she spoke. "Greetings.. But you do not need to call me queen." She smiled softly as her orange eyes watched him.

As she watched she realised he seemed to be a hunter too, he was lean, but muscular as most hunters were. He was tall. Taller then her anyway, he also looked to be heavier then her. But the shadows distorted the lines of his body. His saber fangs shone in the moonlight that stood tall behind her.

She shifted her weight on her paws. Her claws scratching the cold stone beneath her. The wind ruffled her wings, blowing her feathers in the other direction. She opened them slightly, a few inches away from her body as she turned them away from the wind. It now ran over them, softly ruffling a few feathers, but otherwise leaving them be. She stayed like that with her head tilted slightly to the right as she waited.

[Chulyin]

[atrb=cellspacing,0,true][bg=#000000][atrb=cellpadding,0,true][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,400,true] Although he was at heart a traditionalist and generally not one for words, he had to smile at her request not to call her queen. He imagined the formality would get tiresome after a time and so he smiled and replied with an almost cheeky glint in his eye "Then what shall I call you lady?" secretly hoping he wasn't overstepping any boundaries. It must have been the night, the moon and stars, the scent of the sea... He was usually so reserved. The moon stood high in the sky, framing the magnificent wolf that was his leader. As a gentle breeze blew through her wings, the flame like markings through her fur seemed to dance, a sight that caused his breath to catch in his chest. He had heard tales of his queen, although this was the first time he had seen her in the flesh. Although at first he had not noticed her wings tucked so tightly to her side, he knew they were there, and now they were in sight they were even more magnificent than he had heard others speak of. Secretly, he had always envied other wolves with their wings and glowing eyes, all he had inherited were big teeth. He supposed they were slightly more practical for a hunter than rotting limbs, which he had never had any desire for, but they weren’t nearly as impressive as what other wolves possessed. He also lacked any distinctive markings, and while it was useful in the dark, he felt it made him appear rather plain in the eyes of others. Overall, he thought he was a very forgettable wolf, and he wondered if he did as she asked and not call her queen on their next meeting if she would even remember him, or this night.

[cs=3]

[Pheonix]

A small laugh escaped her lips. It was soft and short as it hung in the ear before the wind snatched it away. She looked up to him once more. "You may call me Pheonix." She paused for a moment in thought, her breathing loud in the silence that surrounded them. "And what may I call you?" Her head tilted slightly, her tail swaying in the wind that blew across the cliffs.

She watched past him as the soft mist rolled in from the oceans. She watched as the waves lapped against the shore. She could just about see the white foam that laced the top of each wave before it tumbled and crashed against the golden sand. She looked back to him. Her eyes slowly moved across him. He had no markings, and golden eyes shining out from the darkness, and saber teeth. Best not to forget those teeth. She turned her head slightly to glance at the tips of her wings. Many people envied the wings she carried, but what was the point when she could not use them? She could not take flight, nor use them for anything other then making herself look larger, and shielding herself from prying eyes... But those teeth? They could do some damage.

She shifted her weight, moving her front paws slightly making it more comfortable to stand. She shook her fur, the long strands flaring out as she shook her body. She stopped, her fur fell back to where it normally stayed, until the wind blew it away again. She sighed and shook her head slightly, a small smile appearing upon her face.

[Chulyin]

[atrb=cellspacing,0,true][bg=#000000][atrb=cellpadding,0,true][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,400,true] Pheonix. Born from flames. Oddly fitting. The way her head tilted while the wind continued to make her flames dance made him smile, exposing more sharp white teeth than just his shining sabers. ”Chulyin.” He knew it meant Raven, oddly fitting for him as well. It was times like this he wished he was better with words, rather than the strong silent type. He worried she would feel speaking to him was like trying to convince a reluctant weaning pup that meat is better than milk, but he didn’t find it awkward, after all, they weren’t sitting in silence, the crashing of the waves and the surrounded by the sounds of the night, there was no silence between them. She was probably used to being surrounded by eloquent speakers and entertaining folk, he imagined he was beginning to bore her and he had an overwhelming urge to ask her to run with him. Don’t be foolish. he said to himself internally. Why would the queen ever want run with you? but he couldn’t help himself. Something in the night was calling to him. He wanted to feel the joy of the wind racing through his fur and his heart beating in unison with his paws. He didn’t want the mindless run of a wolf alone. He wanted the joy and harmony of running with another wolf at his side. His nerves were beginning to show as he shifted from paw to paw in the slowly encroaching mist. ”Care to run with me Pheonix?”

[cs=3]

[Pheonix]

She blinked her orange eyes. Chulyin? What an interesting name. She thought to herself. She wondered what it meant, most people knew what Pheonix meant. But his name was much more unusual than hers. Her musings were interrupted as she heard his slight shuffling. She watched him, a small spark in her eyes as a bemused smile filled her face. Her head tilted slightly as she listened.

She could not recall the last time someone had asked to run with her. She enjoyed running, she always had. She often went to run when she was upset, or when she needed time alone. But she had not run with another before. There was a first time for everything, right? She smiled and nodded slightly. "I would like that."

She looked around and turned slightly, looking back towards the way she came. She glanced back at him, checking to see if that was the way he wished to go.

[Chulyin]

[atrb=cellspacing,0,true][bg=#000000][atrb=cellpadding,0,true][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,400,true] Chulyin saw slight confusion on her face as she heard his name. ”It means Raven.” he responded as he walked up by her side with a smile. He accidentally brushed against her flank and looked away embarrassed but decided to pretend like nothing had happened, indicating that the direction she was looking was as good a direction as any. He would love to run the crossings, but given his current company he didn’t think it was the best idea. Anyone could be lurking on the contested ground, and he wouldn’t risk any harm coming to his queen. He started with a slow trot, gradually lengthening his strides until he was traveling at a ground eating lope, a pace he could sustain for ages. The sounds of Pheonix running at his side, his own heart thundering in his ears, his steady breathing and the feel of the earth disappearing beneath their paws helped to relax him, and made him feel more confident. He ran at her side, neither pulling ahead nor falling behind. He knew it could get him in trouble but in his current elated state he didn’t care. He ran without purpose or destination, simply enjoying the company of the wolf at his side.

[cs=3]

[Pheonix]

She smiled slightly as she whispered to herself. "Raven.." She felt his fur brush against hers. It made the fur stand on end as a small shiver ran through her. She looked puzzled for a few seconds. She shook her head slightly, she said nothing about it. If he chose to ignore it, then so would she.

She watched him as he started into a trot. She pulled the wings close to her flank. The soft feathers brushing across her fur with every movement. She started walking her long legs easily quickening to take her into a trot, then into a slow run. She ran beside him, the wind making her fur blow behind her.

Her paws made a soft rythmic thump as she travelled the lands she had always called her own. She hoped she always would.. But she knew one day it could not be so. The land would be ravaged by the hands of time. The tears of despair. The knife of war... And she knew not if her line would continue. She had no pups, she was only 3 why would she want them now.. Well she had never thought of it. She did not wish to bring young ones into this time of hatred, and anger. To bring them to the world without hope or support. They would have love, of that she was sure. She blinked as she withdrew from her thoughts and returned to the lands of reality. She looked over at Chulyin, a small smile playing on her lips.

[Chulyin]

[atrb=cellspacing,0,true][bg=#000000][atrb=cellpadding,0,true][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,400,true] Reluctantly, Chulyin began to slow, turning back into the heart of their territory. getting close to the borders and he refused to take his queen where she may not be safe. He was only one after all and while he had every confidence in her fighting abilities, he could not guarantee there wasn’t an ambush of more wolves that either could fight off out there, just waiting for an opportunity like this. He caught her small smile and returned one of his own as his heart began to race. What was this feeling? His heart in his throat, his stomach flipping, her small shiver as he brushed against her side? He knew that he was more than out of line and mentally shook himself in frustration. He knew he shouldn’t feel this way, but he didn’t feel as if he could bring himself to leave her side either. Conflicted emotions danced across his dark face. Was this what love felt like? Or was he just getting confused by the strong tug of loyalty? She hadn’t moved away from him, hadn’t shied back in disgust at his touch, even though she was his queen, she was also just a wolf, and judging from what he had gathered she just wanted to treated like everybody else. He took a deep steadying breath, he had never felt so nervous in all his life. ”Pheonix, I don’t want this night to end.” he whispered honestly, waiting to see rejection written plainly on her face.

[cs=3]

[Pheonix]

She slowed with him, she watched the lines of the borders as they drew closer. Her orange eyes following the worn crossroads that wound their way through each land to meet another.

She looked back to him as he spoke, his words carrying with the wind. Pheonix, I don’t want this night to end. Her eyes were wide, and bright, as she continued watching him. What do I want? What is this feeling? She thought to herself. She could not name it, nor pinpoint what was causing it. For it had been so long since she had felt anything other than hatred for another. Her tummy felt like it was filled with butterflies when she replied. "I don't know what I want right now." Her words were a soft whisper as she looked at her paws. She had always been so confident, so sure of what to do next. Where to go. But now? How could this one wolf, whom she had just met, make her feel like this..

[Chulyin]

[atrb=cellspacing,0,true][bg=#000000][atrb=cellpadding,0,true][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,400,true] A wry smile crossed the black males face, revealing more of his shining white teeth. He looked to his feet momentarily, unsure of what to say. At least she hadn’t responded with outright horror. It probably had something to do with the moon tonight, the way it lit the ocean so perfectly, reflecting off the sand and water and casting shadows where tufts of grass grew longer than the rest. Things would be far better viewed in the light of a new day. He shook himself to relieve some of the nervous tension that had built up since they stopped running. He needed to keep moving, even if it was only at a walk back to the caves they called their home. He wasn’t going to leave her alone this close to the border. ”Shall we return to the dens?” he asked casually. He was enjoying his time with her and wouldn’t be disappointed if she said no, but it was getting to be quite late.

[cs=3]

[Becca]

She nodded slightly. She stopped and looked out towards the borders. It been so long since she had passed them.. She remembered running through Namabium with her father.. But now she did not want to leave the safety of her home, but she knew the time would come where she would have to. Today was not that day.

She turned away from the borders and glanced at Chulyin, she started walking slowly. Her wings were no longer close to her body. She rolled her shoulders slightly her wings aching as she did so. She sighed softly as she looked towards the sky. She lifted them high above her head as she watched the long feathers. A growl escaped her lips as she brought them down. What being would torture another like this.. Wings born to the wrong body, one to be bound to the ground with a tease of another life... They hung limply at her sides from them on.. She looked back to Chulyin, making sure he was following.