the wind lays heavy

Kierkegaard · October 13, 2014, 09:54 PM

The great beast sat hunched on a rocky perch in an elevated position on the treacherous ridge. The wind brushed against his lengthy coat, coaxing the fur along his shoulders to stand in an even more erect position. Kierkegaard was more akin to a gargoyle, seemingly blending in with the dark charcoals and pale ashes of the background. The dangerous drops and ruggedly carved trails to higher positions had become something of a home to the ashen Sairensu wolf. He had spent enough time within the Teekon area that he knew a good majority of their lands. He had spent very little time near the packs, wanting to avoid them at any cost, but the free terrain had been thoroughly taken advantage of. In spite of the number of wolves in the surrounding territories, Kierkegaard had found himself growing attached to the differing landscapes that stretched from one end of the Teekon to the next.
Lowering himself so that his gut was pressed against the stone beneath him, the large male stretched his legs out and peered curiously at the sights below. There were clouds billowing overhead – a threat of rain – but they appeared far enough in the distance that there was a good chance it would bypass the ridge altogether. The wound on his back leg was healing up, although, on occasion, it would twinge with a sharp pain and he would be forced to cease his endless wandering. It had made hunting difficult, but with Moz, he was able to sustain himself. Staying alive was all that mattered. Everything else was background noise.

Ivev · October 15, 2014, 12:37 PM

All she could hear now was the soft swish of pine trees and her own pawpads stirring against the rock. Ivev was no stranger to the tumultuous terrain, and for once her small body provided to be a spring as the wolf lithely navigated the terrain. For there was one reason white the arctic female was climbing. With the towering mountain in front of her, the dreamer could hope that there was a sheltered cave nestled within its feet.

The ridge provided some flat sheets of granite, curled along the steep hills choked with winded, gnarled vegetation. With a solid breath, Ivev pushed herself up the last step and stood upon the ledge. Up this high, the breeze had turned into a chilly blast that rolled down the eastern face of the mountain. But the view was worth it. Behind her, Teekon lay an accessible map, hazed in blue with it's waterways clearly defined against the plains and forests. Shadows fell across the land as clouds began to bustle around the distant horizon.

Moving along, Ivev moved closer to the wood outcroppings, only to stop as the smell of wolf reaching her nose. Glancing up, she saw the outline of the male laying upon the eroded stone, gazing out into the blurred distance. He seemed comfortable and meditative, and Ivev wondered if it was worth calling out to him, or just skirt around him and continue her search.

Kierkegaard · October 18, 2014, 01:34 AM

It was not a surprise that there was another wolf in the area. In his time within the Teekon wilds, Kierkegaard had found himself growing less and less startled by the presence of other creatures. It did not mean that he was any less irritated by their incessant chattering and prodding into his activity and intentions. He had never known wolves to be so curious before. Still, it never failed; if the ashen male found himself wandering across the path of another lupine, he could expect to be held up for several minutes – at the very least – while they drilled into him. Yet, there were few exceptions to the rule. There was a minority of others who seemed to have been cut from the same stone as the hulking Sairensu male. Kierkegaard found that he appreciated them more and more with the passing days.
Fixing his golden orbs on the approaching female, Kierkegaard frowned thoughtfully at her figure. Pale in coloration, she did not seem entirely out of the ordinary. Even in his ‘meditative’ state, he was careful to follow her steps and the movements of her skull as she glanced towards him curiously. The brute drew his salmon-colored tongue across his lips, flecking against his muzzle with a careless whip before darting back into the cage of teeth where it belonged. His fixated stare did not waver, but instead trailed after the female with no real amount of interest, but a high guard.

Ivev · October 18, 2014, 10:24 PM

The buffet of wind that rolled off the cliffs had reached her face with a cool and tendril, and Ivev, startled, blinked back the chilling air. It caused her to look away from the silver figure and back down the piney slopes, tasting the air. Mist was beginning to roll in front of the incoming storm, covering different parts of the valley below.

The hike up here had made her thirsty, and so it was another item to look for on her list. She had always had a liking for the safety and comfort of a cave, waiting out some arctic equivalent of a sandstorm or soaking up retained body heat by the stone walls. If she could just go a little farther, Ivev knew she would hit some sort of jackpot. And perhaps this male, who perched like a sentinel upon the stone, had some sort of map of this terrain.

Excuse me. Do you live here? she spoke, tilting her chin up towards him. With pale blue eyes fixated on his face, Ivev would be able to study his every jaw-licking move, and hopefully get a head start if he pulled any tricks behind his expressionless mask.

Kierkegaard · October 22, 2014, 10:53 AM

The ashen male did not carry the stench of a pack. It was fair to say that he could have lived anywhere in the area of available terrain. He was a roamer, though, and felt it wise not to linger in one piece of land for too long a time. Kierkegaard’s liking for the dangerous ridge was only enough to keep him returning. He doubted that he would consider making the sharp jutting rocks and precarious drop-offs his home. Yet, when the pale female peered upwards at him with a curious expression and politely inquired as to whether or not he lived there, the ashen brute only mustered a gruff, “for now,” as a response to her. While it was not untrue, he wasn’t entirely sure what she had expected him to say.
Kierkegaard was not a conversationalist. He did not find himself frequently needing to speak to those around him. Wolves were – naturally – social creatures. At least, with those of their own species, they sought companionship and the life within a pack. The male’s upbringing had been difficult; he had not been taught to seek out assistance from others. His only life lessons had been ones that he had learned alongside his sister. It often made him a difficult creature to bear with. He had changed very little in his time in the Teekon wilds.

Ivev · (This post was last modified: October 26, 2014, 12:05 PM by Ivev.)

As she peered with her upturned muzzle, the male made no move to leave his post, and with paws comfortably draped over the rock, she saw no reason to. The tundra born was merely passing through, having taken high country to avoid any semblance of packs below. There were some benefits- the air was considerably cooler and gusty. Ivev liked those sort of temperatures.

She heeded his words with a swish of her furry white banner. Ivev was content to find what she needed on her own, braving out the rocky slopes and ledges to seek out those hidden pools and crevices.

Then I hope you don't mind if I traipse about unescorted, Ivev responded with a half-twisted grin. I'm looking for some water.

Kierkegaard · October 28, 2014, 02:56 AM

The male had not moved because his hind leg was stiff with blood and pus. The infection from his bite had worsened over time and he hadn’t the strength to tend to it himself. He’d spent a great deal of his time hoping that it would pass, but it was only a foolish move on the part of the pallid beast. Pain sat with him like a heavy stone during all hours of the day. His hock was swollen so badly that he feared he could no longer stand with pressure on that leg. Kierkegaard knew that he was at risk of losing more than he had ever lost before, but he did not know where to look for help. He did not know how he could muddle through such a thing.
When the female mentioned water, his ears drew forward and he lifted his head just a little bit higher. She did say that she wanted to go unescorted, but he knew the ridge well enough from his many nights there that he would be of assistance to her. The pale creature’s tongue was parched. He had not seen water in more than a day. It would be wise for him to test his leg and attempt to seek out a refreshment as well. With great effort, the large male lifted himself to his paws and immediately felt the pain in his back leg worsen. With gritted teeth, he favored the leg and narrowed his brows at the white-furred female below him. “Follow me,” Kierkegaard growled quietly, motioning with his head in the direction he aimed to go. If she did not listen, it would be of no loss to the Sairensu wolf. She could be left alone to find her own water.

Ivev · November 03, 2014, 08:30 PM

The roof of her mouth felt like sandpaper. The hike up to the ridge had been straining on her small body, which was more used to crossing flat tundra for days on end. Ivev could feel the weariness in her back ankles which had propelled her up many a boulder. But the ache was nothing compared to what this stranger held in his own joints. With narrowed blue orbs, the arcticborn watched as he slowly clambered to his paws, seemingly stiff. She lifted her chin and her nostrils flared, catching the aroma of infection that had been hidden as the loner rested upon the rock.

How long have you been like that? Ivev questioned, immediately moving into action. Her frame vaulted up the incline to the silver loner's outlook, tail swinging behind her. Approaching, she lowered her head as her eyes roamed over his body. Berating herself for not paying closer attention, her pools alighted upon his back leg. There had been such a stretch of his skin that his fur was hard to distinguish from the red color of the swelling. She noticed angry welts, puncture marks that had become infected from improper cleaning.

Apart from her usual timid nature, Ivev turned her neck to cast a sharp glare at him. Were you planning to sit on your leg all day? the wolf demanded, ignoring his comment for water. She could hear his pain echoed through the locked and gritted nature of his voice. Ivev was surprised there weren't ravens perched in the nearby trees already. Through his stoic mask, this creature looked raggled.

Kierkegaard · November 16, 2014, 02:37 AM

Instinct told him that he was at risk. This pale female was a stranger to him, and if she was aware of his injury, she was more likely to take advantage of him in his weak state. He followed the signs of her face, from the flaring of her nares to the way her pale blue eyes seemed to trail his figure until they had found the festering wound on the back of his leg. The male fought the urge to retreat upwards. He was confident in his knowledge of the ridge, but there was also the pricking of common sense that forced him to realize how slow his climb would be. She would – no doubt – close the distance between them in a matter of seconds. Which, she managed to do anyway. In a few leaps and bounds, she had wedged herself onto his perch and was peering at him curiously.
A cold expression crossed his features and the pallid male drew his lips backwards over his fangs, flattening his ears to his skull in warning. “What does it matter to you?” he snapped in response to her two queries. It was not her concern. Granted, Kierkegaard was allowing the infection to eat his leg and force him to remain in one place for the better parts of most of his days. Nonetheless, he found himself perturbed by her remarks, and the way she seemed to find such interest in the damage done to his hock. He would make short work of her company if she managed to press the issue any further. The ghostly brute was no stranger to forcing others away.

Ivev · November 18, 2014, 10:55 PM

For her, the instinct to leap into action was trained, but for all wolves, reactions came purely unadulterated. Just like a warrior automatically turning to face the movements of his opponent, Ivev felt the response burning in the fore of her mind. Were she to lapse into a state of apathy, she may not be physically injured like a fighter, but her conscious would gain a scar. And it was hard to ignore the brute's wound- it smelled.

It needs to be drained, Ivev stated, her gaze unwavering. The female did step back, her paws clinging to the cool stone perch. Ivev was no stranger to healing, but had often refrained from it in her former pack- purely for the competition. She had been the first of her kind to the group, and as soon as her presence caught wind, many upstarts flocked into the pack after her. Ivev was struck with the memory of when her former alpha had been injured and the ridiculous amount of attention he got from Ivev's counterparts. She had paid the alpha no attention, for his injuries were challenge-related and Ivev thought it a personal insult to assist him.

So why should she invest her time in this loner? Ivev's ears flicked outward with the thought. Perhaps she shouldn't- he didn't seem the type to be grateful. Ivev would see if the male would accept her offer of help, or if the arctic female would take this instance as an opportunity to leave, find some water, and continue on her way.

Kierkegaard · December 26, 2014, 02:43 AM

<3 i am so sorry for the awful wait on this. if you want we can wrap it and maybe have a more current one?

His breath fell hot and heavy as he listened to her instruct him, and had it not been for the pride that had taken hold of him, causing him sickness, he would have done well to listen to the ivory female. Instead, the ghostly male bared his fangs and clashed his teeth together, snapping wickedly inside of his muzzle. Lengthy ears fell flat to his skull and Kierkegaard took a single step forward, warningly. He was in no state to begin fighting with another wolf. She was healthy and intelligent – he was savage and witless. Nonetheless, the brute would make himself clear to this woman that he did not need her assistance.
The male was an independent creature if there ever was one. He would cast aside his own wellbeing for the sake of making his point. Flicking his tongue across his muzzle, the wraith allowed the fur along his neck and spine rise threateningly. “Leave me,” he rumbled in a voice like thunder, eyes flashing like distant lightning in the rising storm. This was all he could muster; if the female chose to fight, he would not likely last long enough to cause any real damage to her. If the pale-furred creature wished to take him, he would be forced to flee his perch.

Ivev · (This post was last modified: February 04, 2015, 10:49 AM by Ivev.)

of course, will do, and will archive this! xP

There was no hurt, confusion, or anger in her eyes, but only the hard, icy frost that reflected hidden sadness around her pools. The female would say no word as she stepped back and felt her paws shift upon the cold mountain stone. Her body turned without a quip, finding her way as she sprung downwards and off the ledge.

She couldn't say she wasn't disappointed that any creature would refuse the service or kindness of others- it was necessary in many aspects to a wolf's life. But perhaps his had come to a halt, and what would usually be hesitance had morphed into full on disdain for the contact of his kind. She could only see a future of that for him if he had no use of opening up in a time of need. Without another sound, Ivev slipped back down the slope and towards the valleys.