Things were looking bright at last, and her new home was beautiful. Bella hadn't been in the glacier long enough to know her pack-mates yet, for it had been only a night since Tuwawi offered her a place in the ranks, so she hadn't even seen Malachi, the one her Alpha instructed her to follow. The young beauty was somewhat nervous about meeting him, he was supposed to be her guide and prepare her for her days to come with the glacier pack, so the whole idea was a little stressing, but she was happy to finally have a place to rest and was willing to overcome any obstacle to show that she truly was worth the kind Alpha's trust.
The previous night had been incredibly complacent for the former outcast, she was given food in amounts she hadn't had in weeks, and she slept in a cozy corner in the heart of the territory. She was exhausted, and broken, but that morning she was already feeling renewed. Little birds chipped outside and the sun was already up, so with a long yawn that revealed her shiny pearls, she came out to tae a better look at her new home.
Malachi felt relieved when the sun finally lighted the forest at the Glacier's base. He'd found sleep difficult to come by that night, for once not due to thoughts of their resident lynx. Tuwawi had approached him the evening prior, just before he tucked in for the night as the last of the flames licked their way off the Glacier's face. A new scent lingered lightly on her fur, and he'd felt curious toward it. Tuwawi soon revealed its source. Duskfire had a new member, a yearling by the name of Arabella, and Tuwawi wanted Malachi to be her guide.
Now he felt the nervous energy return as he picked his way through the dense trees near the territory's heart. The chorus of dawn still laced the air, though the sun already hung a ways up in the sky. He felt his attention divided that morning, split between his patrol and the thought of the responsibility he'd accepted to bear. The load felt heavy on his shoulders, and though he'd always felt confident in his abilities, a worry nagged the back of his mind that he would prove an inadequate leader to Arabella. Tuwawi trusted he could help integrate Arabella into the pack, but he wondered how much he shared in her confidence.
The thoughts frustrated him, and as the morning ebbed away, his desire to meet the yearling increased. He did not know much about her, and all he could use to identify her was her scent and name. He did not know if the girl was kind or cruel, but he trusted Tuwawi in her judgment of character and quickly searched out the newcomer's scent. He found it easily enough, primarily because it hung concentrated near the territory's heart, and he followed at a brisk trot. He caught movement up ahead and he slowed to catch a fresh wave of her scent on the air. He could not see her clearly through the trees, but she seemed a small thing, and frail. He felt his brows knit and he waved his tail as he approached, making known his presence from afar so as not to startle the young wolf. "Are you Arabella?"
Even if the male's entrance didn't startle the blue eyed beauty, she tucked her tail between her thighs instantly as she heard the sound of his voice, and with a quick turn of her head she looked at the male standing not too far from her. I am. She answered with a shaky voice lowering her head to respect the male's rank, but also because her shyness said so.
That must be the wolf Tuwawi told me about. Bella thought to herself as she gave a quick glance at the male's cold blue eyes. You must be Malachi, she barked and offered a shy but friendly smile at the older male. Tuwawi said you'd show me around... she barked trying to sound chill. Why was she so nervous anyway?
She faced him quickly and met him with respect, though the trembling in her voice sparked a stir of unease in Malachi. He couldn't tell if he had startled the girl or not, and the svelte youth let his tail lower as he approached Arabella with cautious steps. Yet it pleased him to know he had identified her correctly, and a gentle smile lighted his lips.
"That's correct." He bowed his head as she spoke his name, keen to return the respect she gave. When he lifted his gaze, his smile remained, though his eyes grew troubled as he took in the delicate wolf before him. He could see her bones beneath her blond fur and her body looked half-starved. The life of a loner had not treated her well. Tuwawi had instructed him to show Arabella around once her strength had returned, and now he knew what she meant. He nodded to confirm her trailing words and, sensing the strength of her nerves, tried to keep his voice calm as he spoke up again. "Do you feel up for a short tour around the Glacier?" The words came out more hesitant that he'd hoped. As eager as he felt to prove to Tuwawi - and to himself - that the fire queen had not made a mistake in giving him this responsibility, he did not want to push Arabella if she didn't feel strong enough to undertake the trek through the mountain woods. He rested his gaze on her face and let his eyes linger on her shy smile, acutely aware of the beauty that lay beneath her gaunt physique.
sorry this is so bad, ut a crappy post is better than no post at all... right? x(
While holding her gaze low, Arabella noticed the male tracing her face with his pale blue eyes, and if wolves blushed, Bella would've turned red. She was a shy girl for no apparent reason, or maybe just because she wanted to seem all cute and innocent, I think I do... she said after taking a deep breath, a long trek wouldn't be the best to do right now, due to her state, but the place was beautiful and she was eager to know every corner of it.
The blue eyed angel waved her tail and allowed herself to look at the male in the eyes for just a second, with a shy smile that curved her lips. Malachi was tall and strong, just like Tuwawi, and even Danica, a clear hint of what the pack's real power was, it seemed like life in the glacier was a good life.
Bella forced her slender body to follow Malachi, she was better now, even when it had only been a night with the pack, but she had had food and sleep, things that had been scarce the last couple weeks. So... How do things work around here? she asked, trying hard not to stutter, something that awkwardness brought out of her rather often.
Malachi pulled his eyes from her face and raised his brows. Her voice did not convince him she was ready for the trek, but Arabella seemed determined to explore the land. Malachi couldn't blame her: the land was beautiful, even the most barren parts. But that land would wait for a different day, once he felt confident Arabella wouldn't collapse on the way. For now, they'd travel the lower slopes that rose gently beneath the paws.
Before he turned from her, she met his gaze with her own. The contact lasted only a moment, but Malachi felt a stir of discomfort at the occurrence. That she would risk such a glance surprised him, and he wondered if there was a boldness beneath the girl's demeanour that would rise in time. Though the awkwardness lingered, he let it rest hidden in his mind, and he returned her smile with a small one of his own. "This way, then." He nodded in the direction of thicker woods and padded ahead of her, hearing her pawsteps follow.
He swivelled his ear to catch her question and he slowed until he nearly walked beside her. He kept his expression cool, but found his mind run blank. Internally he'd always known what Tuwawi expected of her members, but he'd never given words to those instinctive thoughts. He flashed his tongue across his lips as he mulled over her question. "Like any pack, I suppose. Right now we're preparing for the winter. Gathering herbs, filling our caches - " he would need to show her those later " - and securing our land." He glanced at her for a second before turning his eyes back on the trees that passed them by. They still had many suns before winter came, but he knew the cold could set in early. How much strength could Arabella regain by then? He shook the thought away for now, but felt it nestle as one of the many concerns that settled in his heart. "We're a family here, and we're expected to live as one. When Tuwawi accepted you into the ranks of the Glacier, you became a part of it." He confirmed his words with a nod and felt a glow of pride. A family was what Tuwawi had promised them, and a family was what they were - and what they were still becoming.
Alright, I am the worst I know, sorry sorry sorry!
I hope the post isn't too weird, I'm sick as hell and well.. My mind is a bit fuzzy.. :P
Although the looking into the male's eyes may have had some sort of boldness hidden beneath, the fair lady didn't mean it as a challenge or anything of the sort. Bella wasn't always the shy silent girl as she currently was, but it wouldn't change until she felt comfortable around her new pack mates. Malachi so far seemed really nice to the girl, and she enjoyed his company, but the blushing still came with every word he said. She followed silently as he guided her through the woods, moving as fast as her body allowed her.
Malachi slowed down until they were walking side by side, and a smile lightened Bella's face.He explained what the current activity in the pack was, and to be honest, Bella didn't expect much else, those were all pretty standard pack-tasks, just how things were done in Highmere. Alright, I guess that's how most packs work... she said, amiably waving her tail. She expected that it wouldn't be too long until she was able to do her part, she wanted to be a useful wolf, she wanted to learn their hunting tactics and maybe even become a naturalist one day, but unfortunately she was still too weak to even take care of herself.
A.. A family? she stuttered at the thought, Highmere was her family, there was no doubt about it, she still held her dad and her brothers in her heart along with all of her ex-pack-mates back in the hollow, but the Glacier was her home now, and Tuwawi had been her rescuer. Malachi had, probably unintentionally, put her in a awkward position with his words, even though he probably meant them in the best way possible, and to make her feel comfortable. She looked at the male in the eyes and smiled awkwardly, thank you she said, and a single tear, full of nostalgia, ran down her cheek.
It seems we both got sick this week D: Sorry this post is so late!
When Malachi first pledged himself to Tuwawi and Njal, he had worried the Glacier pack would work differently from his father's. But in short time, he'd found his worries quenched. Though the culture of the pack differed in many ways, the basic framework remained the same. The wolves here pursued survival much the same as the wolves of the Blackwood Vale, and though he knew little of Arabella and of the skills she possessed, he felt confident she would find a niche among them here, just as he had many suns ago.
But when Arabella faltered at his words, a small frown twitched at his mouth, even as she met him with a smile. Her watering eyes did not go unnoticed by the patchwork youth, and he felt a stir of discomfort at her tears. His words upset her in some way, and Malachi did not know how. Uncertainty clouded his gaze, and the youth fell into an awkward silence. After a few moments he cleared his throat and pulled his eyes away from the young woman before him. "Er, right. You're welcome." He rolled his shoulders to rid himself of the prickling discomfort. "Let's head this way." Malachi nodded to the left and veered his paws toward the sound of rushing water. He decided to drop further talk of family from their conversation, unwilling to bring Arabella further discomfort, and focused on what he'd been assigned to do: showing her around. "We'll be coming to a run-off river soon. The water's cold, though, so try not to fall in." His voice came out with an amused quiver, but he shivered at the memory of when he'd done just that. Once they hit the river, they would follow that to the lake, and Malachi hoped the sight of its beauty would take Arabella's mind off whatever troubles he'd brought back to her attention.
It's ok, I haven't had much time to reply anyways :(
Oh and how're you feeling? Being sick sucks!
Bella wiped the tear as soon as she saw Malachi'r reaction to it, and she forced a smile to cover up the encountered emotions she was going through. Her family had been her everything always, and without a good reason it had all been snatched away from her.
Aella followed Malachi after the awkward silence, feeling stupid for being the one to make it awkward, as if she was meant to, like it was her purpose in life. Right. she said enthusiastically in contrast with her ache heart. Her puffy tail swayed from side to side, trying to convince the pretty female that it was alright, that she had found a good place and a good bunch of people to spend the rest of her life with, and it was the truth after all, she just had to work hard to make it permanent.
Oh my... Have you? she teased between giggles, as she saw the amusement in Malachi's words. The male was kind, and friendly, not to mention handsome, and Bella felt some kind of safety with him, they surely would get to be good friends without trouble.
Much better, thanks! (: I think it's almost gone now, just the remnants of a stuffy nose. But stuffy noses get the best tasting medicine, so all's good <3
How have you recovered? Hopefully your sickness is gone too!
Malachi raised his brows at her lifting mood and swayed his tail. If the girl could laugh at his expense, then he'd gladly fall into the river again. "You'd think by now I'd have learned where to put my paws." He joked back, a wry grin stretching across his face. "They always said I rushed into things too fast. Never thought the river would be one of them." He felt his words come easier now, a welcome surprise to the awkwardness that laced their prior conversation. He felt Arabella warming to him, as he was certainly warming to her.
Through the trees he could see the riverbank, but as they neared the edge he slowed to a stop. He danced his gaze back to Arabella, but beneath his lighthearted glow shone a lingering concern. "You up to going a bit further?" As much as he didn't want to push her, he didn't want to stop their tour if she felt the energy to continue. He'd made the mistake with his sister before, and had fast learned from that experience. Secretly, he hoped she'd say yes. He felt excited to be sharing the territory with someone, especially with one who'd never yet seen the parts they walked. It was one thing to admire the Glacier himself, but another entirely to share that admiration with a friend.
I was much better, thanks :) (when you posted and I totally didn't for like a mont... Sorry 'bout that...)
Wanna wrap this up so it doesn't go stale? I'm ok with finishing if you'd like to keep going, it's my fault for being such a slow poster :(
We could fade with them going to explore the glacier :3
Arabella giggled at Malachi's joke, and her tail started swaying from side to side as if her bad thoughts had banished as easily as they had flooded her mind. Truth was, that she was actually warming up to him as he believed, she was feeling more comfortable around him now. It seemed like she had gone through the 'Awkward' phase much quicker than she usually did, maybe Malachi was just that friendly... Yeah, I got that Reckless vibe from you at first sight... she teased back with a sly smile, which even though was awkward A.F, it lit up her delicate face with natural beauty.
To be honest, Arabella wouldn't last much longer if the path got tougher, but she still wanted to hang out a bit more with her new friend. So after hesitating for a couple seconds she made the decision she thought would be best for her. I... What was she doing? Yeah, show me more! she said after shaking her head. [size=x-small]Didn't I tell you to go back to your damn den, Arabella!?[/size]
That is good to hear! (: Also, no worries about the slow posting. I, too, have been quite notorious in that regard, so I totally understand xD I'm good with wrapping this up (: We should do another thread soon, since all this happened before the lynx attack.
Also, I love the awkwardness in this whole situation xD
Was this the same girl he'd met earlier that day? Arabella's shyness seemed to be breaking, and though awkwardness still laced her words, Malachi let a full smile crack over his face. A wave of confidence ignited him and he swept his tail in obvious contentment. Maybe he'd been too quick to doubt his ability to make Arabella feel welcome here.
His eyes brightened at her agreement to keep moving, though he gave the mottled girl a skeptical raise of his brows. He didn't think Arabella was being completely honest with him, but he wasn't about to argue her away. She was old enough to make her own decisions, and though he didn't want to kill the girl on her first day out, he would let her decide when enough was enough. "Alright then, if you insist..." But he held a teasing chime and he danced his gaze downstream. The day was young yet, and there would be no harm in travelling slow. He took a few steps along the river's edge, then turned his head until he could see Arabella from over his shoulder. The sun lit her delicate face in a way that made the youth pause, and when he caught himself he blinked rapidly before turning away. Ruffling out the strange sensation, he put the feeling to the back of his mind. "We'll head this way, then." He said, with a nod in the direction of the lake. "I promise you'll love it."
