Wolf RPG

Trees passed as Jolon walked through the lively woods that he now could call his home, their home. He was not alone here, he had the bright spirit Asterr and the ones who had sworn their loyalty to her, just like him. It had been rough living as a rogue, scavenging all the food he could possible get to stay alive, but that was not the only thing that had made him less sociable. It were the long nights all alone that had made him sad and bitter, desperate for someone to talk to. He had felt much better after talking to the bright spirit, as if troubles were just an option. He had felt that way only once in his life, but he will never speak of that time again unless it was specifically asked. 

As he walked, thinking about his past and future, he felt his stomach growl. The last thing he had eaten was a hare, and it almost felt like that was 2 moons ago. He didn't know if there was a lot of prey in these woods, but he did know that there may be other wolves around. If there were, they could be followers of the bright spirit or intruders with killing on their mind. Or perhaps just nice wolves looking for a conversation, but that option would be rather boring found Jolon. 

How long had he'd been walking? Perhaps an hour, maybe more. He'd lost track of time listening to all the wonderful sounds around him. This place was hair-raising, a true masterpiece of mother nature. Jolon couldn't have wished for a better place to stumble upon. He'd been in many woods, but none were as animated as this one. But the grumble in his stomach got louder with each passing minute it seemed, and it wouldn't stop until Jolon could find something to feast upon. He wondered if there were more followers of the bright spirit that were looking for food. He could really use more strength to take down a meal, and he could use the company too. If only he knew the area a bit better. 

He sat down, closing his eyes to hear better. He had learned this from his father when he was around 5 moons old but had remembered it ever since. He didn't know if it helped, but Jolon believed that it was good for something. Plus, it was more relaxing than using your eyes to see. So he waited for a sign of live, something to tell him that he wasn't alone.

He thought he had been rid of her - the dark woman, and her promises - but her scent lingered on the mountainside. It was bare, muddied, but present. Tryphon thought of her offer often enough, but was swiftly taken from those thoughts whenever he found himself near Saghani; she was his sole ally, and he needed no others. But the scent was there upon the wind, and Tryphon was lured out from his encampment by it. He was as cautious as a newborn as he worked his way along the mountain, his head raised and nose probing at the air, figuring out which direction Asterr might be in. It wasn't an easy feat, tracking her. The scent was very thin among the patches of snow, sometimes absent entirely - which should've clued Tryphon in to something amiss - and yet, he found himself trailing a stranger. They vaguely resembled the dark silhouette of Asterr, and as soon as the boy spotted that poised figure he froze, watching and listening - exactly what @Jolon was doing just ahead of him.

Jolon trusted his ears more than anything, it was his only way of seeing the things that were real and those that weren't. His ears had saved him from many dangers in the past and helped him when trying to find something. Sure, his nose and eyes worked fine and did their jobs, but those senses could easily be tricked. At least, he thought so. If it weren't for his ears, he would never have met the bright spirit, Asterr, the one who had given him a place to call home. He heard footsteps nearby, but they stopped before he was sure if it was the sound of prey or of someone trying to sneak up on him. Jolon opened his eyes and let his icy,grey gaze scan the area around him. 

He saw nothing in front of him, but once he turned his black muzzle around he saw another of his sort. It was a male, the wind that was carrying the wolf's sent revealed to him. He looked around 18 months, younger than Jolon himself, and his coat was drenched in the color grey. The thing that stood out the most to Jolon was that he had a golden-like mask on his face, almost like the orbs of the frosty wolf Winter. For a moment he thought that this was another follower of the raven she-wolf, but if he was, why didn't he say something? Was he mute, like the one that he had met on Porcupine Ridge? Or was he an intruder, looking for food in their territory? Jolon hated how his thoughts went on and on, so before he would go mad, he stood up. He took a few steps towards the grey male before he asked something. His tail was raised, not threateningly, but clearly showing no sign of wanting to submit to the younger male. 

Hello. He began in his icy tone.Not meaning to be rude, but do you perhaps know a raven female who goes by the name Asterr? He continued. If this was indeed an intruder, he would only show mercy if the younger male submitted to him. He had promised his alphess to protect this land and the ones who called it their home, and would not let an intruder wander free around in their territory.

As soon as he stopped to reflect upon this discovery, he was hit in the face with a new scent: a deeper one, familiar and foreign at the same time. This wasn't Asterr after all, but some sort of wandering young man like himself. But to have tricked him so easily and so thoroughly, there must have been a connection. Tryphon resisted the urge to move away when he was spotted; his ears turned towards the voice, but flattened as soon as Asterr was mentioned. The boy could've ignored the query and fled right then and there, but he chose to linger. With a crackling voice - almost prepubescent in its irregularity - he croaked, "Met herrr, once." Was this a friend? Tryphon worried that this stranger would be just as pushy and insistent as the woman.

Jolon was shocked to see the younger male's ears going down when the name Asterr was mentioned. Why wasn't he happy to hear her name? If he was indeed a follower of the bright spirit like Jolon thought he was, then the name of his leader being mentioned should be a thing to be happy or interested about, wasn't it? Jolon didn't know anymore, and his concern only grew when the younger male confirmed Jolon's thoughts with a croak-like voice. So they did meet, and knowing Asterr, she probably wanted this grey male to join them. Did he turn down the raven she-wolf's offer? Why? Was he not looking for a place to call home, a safe haven? This masked stranger had Jolon's interest, for he wanted to know why Asterr's name brought him sadness instead of joy. He took a few steps closer, keeping his tail in the same position but perked his ears up to show that he was indeed curious of what this masked male had to say.

Why does it bring you sadness to hear her name, if I may ask? Jolon asked in a concerned way, but keeping his cold tone. Speaking about names, I go by the name of Jolon. How may I call you, masked one?

The stranger was perplexed by his reaction, although Tryphon couldn't understand why. The questions made him snort softly, disinclined to answer, but to avoid any unnecessary aggression he eventually gave in. There was no point in making enemies here - or making an enemy out of someone like Asterr, as she had only tried to help him. If this was one of her wolves, he would be appropriately calm for her sake.

"She's... pushy," was all he said in response to the first question, and almost disregarded the second if only because... Tryphon had so many names. Or he felt like he did, even if most of them were forgotten. The name he currently sported did not sit well in his mind or upon his tongue, but not many words felt right for him either way. With a small sigh, the boy finally gave in: "Tryphon."

There was a comforting silence between them before the masked wolf spook up. He said that the bright spirit was pushy, and Jolon could agree with his statement. She was a bit pushy, but it felt like she only meant good with it. She wasn't as in your face like others, although the black male could understand why some shyer wolves would find it annoying or unsettling.Indeed, but I think she only does it for the well-being of others. Jolon replied with a nod of his head.

There was another pause in their conversation. Maybe the brute male had been too pushy himself, getting the masked stranger out of his comfortzone. The masked one spoke up again. Tryphon, he repeated in his mind. The name fitted the stranger somehow, and there was a tone to the way you had to say it that appealed to Jolon. He sat down, not knowing if the stranger would follow him in this, but it made him feel more comfortable. 

The dragoness probably asked you to join the tribe, didn't she? Did you say yes to her offer? Jolon asked, already kind of knowing the answer, but he could never be sure enough. While they were not official yet, Jolon knew that he had to protect their land. If Tryphon was not a member of the tribe that wanted to settle here, he could better leave before he ran into someone not as kind as Jolon. So the young male's answer would determine whether Jolon had to make him leave, the easy way or the hard way.

"She did." He responded flatly, as if the invitation had been a burden more than a blessing. Tryphon wasn't going to elucidate on that point either -their conversation had been private - and he was turning, suddenly withdrawing from the conversation and the company of Jolon, until he heard the tail end of his statement. The next question. He watched the wolf for a moment longer, but gradually his eyes narrowed and he seemed to grow despondent. "I have someone." Saghani, his shadow. He needed no others. That seemed like enough information for the other wolf to understand him; it got a certain point across. If there was nothing else, he would be escaping from this wolf - and hopefully from Asterr's reach - by seeking out his ally and fleeing the area with her. It was something he hoped for, although things did not often work out the way one wishes.