Wolf RPG

Back and forth. He felt like he was doing a hell of a lot of it. One side of the mountains towards the other. He was certainly getting in a shit ton more exercise as a lone wolf than he had back when he'd been a part of his birth pack. Actually, he was starting to realize just how lazy he'd gotten there. Comfortable. Too comfortable. Now that he was doing laps across mountains, he could feel himself leaning out. He felt stronger than he had within the luxuries of what once was. Now he was a little more confident and sure of his own abilities. 

It helped that he'd caught a squirrel earlier. It was a small meal, but enough to tide him over for a while. It was also sweet, sweet vengeance against a couple of squirrel's who'd decided to make a sport over bombarding him with acorns earlier in the week. One squirrel down. One less tree rat to chatter and make mischief from the skies. He considered it a small victory and would leave it at that. 

He'd scented pack earlier and skirted it, taking a wide path around the edge of the territory as he wandered. His paws lead him through the valley into a less than amicable area. The ground softened beneath his paws. He steps became slower as he tested the earth with each stride. Soft, but stable. Lifting his head above the tall grasses, he noticed a smattering of watered pools here and there. Were the reeds tall enough to lift well above the water or was it an illusion of land? He wasn't sure. 

Caution made him slow at first, but after a while he felt like he was starting to get the hang of it. His stride became a little more confident as he navigated through the marshy maze. One step. Then another. A leap over this puddle into a soft bank. He approached a gap between land and water and measured the next jump. He could make this one easy. 

He gathered a bit of strength in his hind quarters and leapt for the next patch of reeds. The ground was softer here and he sank into the mud, landing well up to his chest in the water. Cursing he tried to pull himself free, but the mud was sucking him down and holding him in place. A growl escaped him as he pulled one foot and then another, fighting for each inch until finally he pulled himself onto more solid ground. 

Exhausted, he settled in the reeds for a bit and tried to catch his breath. 

The pack, the place he'd called home, was gone. It hurt the young male, but he had to respect the Roman's decision on the matter. It'd been only about a day since, making it around a day full of nothing but moping for the boy and wandering about carelessly. He didn't pay attention to where he was going, but this time it was not out of his want to explore, but out of something close to carelessness. Alastor hadn't even noticed just where he was heading until it was already too late, and his forelimbs had landed themselves right into a particularly deep section of the marsh. That was enough to bring him out of his state of self pity, and even caused him to let out a surprised yelp. It didn't take him long to figure out exactly where he was within the bit of land, and he was soon able to pull himself out of the mud and water, and back onto somewhat solid ground. As he did so, his gaze trailed down to what would be his wrists had he been born a human, and he caught sight of the golden rings. They'd already started to fade, had after his first trip to the marsh, and he couldn't quite decide how he felt about that.

It was not the titles the boy missed, it was the closeness that was a pack. The members had been his friends, and the leader someone he respected highly. Soon enough, the Greek was once again moping as he walked along, though this time he tried to pay better attention to where he was going. He was fa from wanting to take another trip into the muddy waters. Once more, however, he was interrupted and pulled from his stupor as his ears caught the sound of something. It was as if someone was trying to catch their breath, which brought forth the boy's kind nature and sent him to investigate the source of the sound. If someone was hurt, he didn't want to just leave them there, even if was kind of having a bad day.

Drawing closer to the sound, Alastor came to a stop and sniffed the air. He didn't smell anything that would lead him to believe the other was injured, but was still cautious as he approached the reeds. If the other was injured in some way, he didn't want to risk frightening him for a number of reasons. “Hello?” he voiced, a questioning tone unintentionally slipping in. “Are you alright?” Even if the one breathing was not alright, there wasn't too much the Greek would be able to do for him. He wasn't a healer of any sort, nor did he really know any. Silently, he hoped the stranger was truly fine, and just out of breath from exerting too much energy.

He hadn't known that mud could be so... sucky. Like literally. There was something about it's composition that made it super hard for him to pull himself out of the mire. The more he'd struggled, the more it'd wanted to pull him deeper into the muck and make him a part of itself. He'd freed himself eventually, taking it slow until he'd leveraged himself enough to pull himself out of the clingy depths. Escape was sweet. The knowledge of hindsight was better. He'd not be so quickly to underestimate a jump next time. 

Kero lay heaving, trying to catch his breath after the exertion. His lungs collapsed and expanded, rising and falling as he steadied his breathing and regained the energy it'd taken to expel himself from the muck. He almost didn't notice how covered he was chocolate-y mud, except with the sun high above it was starting to dry upon his fur. The cake-y feeling was uncomfortable at best. He'd need to find someplace to clean himself, but he was thinking water elsewhere. He did not wish to risk becoming stuck again. Once in one day was more than enough. 

As he lay dying (fine, recovering), he seemed to catch the attention of another wolf. Kero's head lifted, eyes and ears turning towards the newcomer. Was he alright? "Yeah. Will be," he said, flicking his tail behind him. He pulled his feet underneath himself and attempted to stand. Kerosene was met with success and he mentally patted himself on the back. One step at a time. Hell yeah. "You don't happen to know about a freshwater source around these parts that won't try to eat me, do you?" he asked. "I promise you, mud isn't my natural color."

After being given the confirmation that the wolf was, in fact, alright, the boy considered continuing on his way. After all, he had a full day of moping and dragging himself around everywhere ahead of him. He gave a simple bob of his head to show he'd heard the male's words, then allowed his glacier-like eyes to scan the area. He'd crossed through the part during his first trip to the marsh, and was fairly certain he would be able to make it out without falling into any majorly deep and muddy parts. Just as he'd decided on his path and was about to bid his farewells to the stranger, though, the silence was broken by the voice of the other. Alastor set his gaze on him and listened to what he had to say—or ask, to be more specific—before once again giving a nod of his head. He got the sense the man was new not only to the marsh, but to the Wilds as well. The Greek didn't bring it up, though. No matter his mood, he would never intentionally pry into the life of another. Occasionally a question would slip through his teeth, but he seemed to be doing well at keeping them in for the time being.

“I do know of a place,” the boy answered, his mind instantly recalling Duck Lake. It wasn't too far off, and certainly wouldn't try to eat him. The thought of any body of fresh water trying to eat a wolf brought a small smile to his face, but was wiped away once he reminded himself he was not suppose to be in a good mood. Then again, what harm could it do? The leader had not simply disappeared, but had explained why he needed to leave, and Alastor had respected his decision. If he could, he probably would have traveled back to his own birth home, but such a thing was virtually impossible. If he couldn't, however, then he knew he should be glad that at least someone could. “I could show you the way there, if you'd like,” he informed the stranger, his smile having returned.

Ah perfect! He knew of someplace. It seemed as though Kero had come across a bit of good fortune. "Really now?" he asked, more rhetorically than anything else. "I would like that. If it's not too far out of your way." He offered the wolf an out, if only because it was the polite thing to do. Kero was certain he could find some place with fresh water eventually, but a guided tour would make the hunt that much quicker. If nothing else, he was appreciative of the offer. 

Standing and ready to go, Kerosene lingered, waiting for the wolf to begin to lead the way. A glance at the fellow told Kero he was somewhat blue around the edges. There was a soft, sorrowful feel about him that suggested things were not alright in this one's neighborhood. "Something eating you?" he asked, curious. 

The young male gave a soft shake of his head to the other's words. It was not too far out of his way because, honestly, he didn't yet know where it was he planned to go. He was just wandering for the time being, uncertain of where he wanted to end up. It was actually nice that he came across a wolf looking to find a certain place, because it gave him a reason to distract his wandering mind. “It isn't, don't worry,” he said, leaving it at that. Even if it had been, he probably still would have offered to show him the way, and still probably would have said the exact same thing. It wasn't like him to be unkind or impolite, and completely changing his way of doing things now would do him no good whatsoever. He brought his gaze to the other, as it had lingered away as he'd gotten lost in his own mind, and noted that he seemed ready to go. Upon closer inspection, the boy realized that the stranger really was in need of some cleaning, but those words did not leave his mouth.

Alastor had used his nose to show he wanted the other to follow him, and then started walking in the direction of the lake. He'd only managed to take a few steps before the muddied male spoke up, his words causing the Greek to stop in his tracks for a second. Did he want to burden a total stranger with his own problems. No, of course not, but speaking a bit would do neither of them any harm, he decided. It might even be good for him to speak a bit, so he once again continued moving forward, but not before throwing a glance over his shoulder first. “Sort of,” he answered, turning his head forward once more as he walked along. “Due to recent events, the pack I was in was disbanded. It was a sad thing to happen, but understandable. Now I have nowhere to go, though.” Perhaps he'd said a bit more than planned. He didn't want to make his problems those of another, and hoped the unnamed man would not see it that way. Speaking of which... “My name is Alastor Vranas, by the way,” he said, finally getting around to introducing himself. “I suppose I should have said that sooner. What is your name?” Lately, he'd been forgetting to introduce himself more and more often. He'd end up striking up a conversation with a stranger, and the exchangement of words would draw his attention away from giving a formal greeting and introduction.

If it wasn't any trouble? Well alright then. Kerosene was more than ready to find a little freshwater and clean himself of the mud and mire. Hell, in this sun, he could feel his fur begin to cake together, matting a bit around the edges as it dried. Soon, he'd be a light brown dust ball, he could feel it, but he was hoping wherever this one was going to lead him wasn't far enough away for any of that to happen.

A nod, and they were off. Kero fell in stride and followed along with wolf who then paused before proceeding once more. Kero stopped with him. He didn't know where he was going. He was at the mercy of this one and whatever gave him reason to halt, Kero was glad it passed quickly so they could be on their way. 

He learned of a recent disbandment. Kero frowned. It was always a pity when circumstances fell that way. Losing a home was never fun. "I'm sorry to hear that," he said with all the sincerity he could muster. "Is there no where else? No other pack in this valley that might suit you?" Kero'd already stumbled across a couple. There had to be more packs than that in the area and likely one that shared the same similar goals and opportunities. If he wanted a home, Kero was certain he could find one. 

"Kero, just Kero," he offered in return as was polite of a name exchange. He hadn't whispered his full name in eons and had no intentions of doing so. It was of the past. What was ahead of him was a future he would forge on his own. "I'm somewhat new to these parts. Still trying to figure my way around." He shook his head, allowing a soft chuff of amusement to flee his lips as he shrugged. "Took my chances with this place, but it looks like I could use a little more direction."

The boy wanted to tell the other that he didn't need to apologize, for he had nothing to do with it, but the words didn't want to form correctly. Whatever had formed just stayed stuck in his throat until he'd managed to swallow it down, a new topic being presented to him. Another pack. He hadn't even considered the possibility of joining another pack. Not because he didn't want to, but because he knew of none he could join. Majority of those he knew were from the pack he was previously apart of, so that didn't exactly leave him with a large amount of options when it came to finding a new home. There was his one friend, Aesop, but he hadn't seen the older male in quite awhile, and didn't know of where his pack was at, either. The Bypass was the only pack he'd come across, too. He hadn't gone to investigate any others, or even look into where some might be located. Even while working on his mental map of the land, he'd more or less avoided going near other packs—whether that was on purpose or not, he didn't know. He'd just followed the paths his legs carried him on without question. “I don't know of any others,” Alastor informed the other, throwing a quick glance over his shoulder as he spoke. “That was the first pack I was apart of, aside from my birth pack, and I only really knew those who'd come from the pack.” In truth, he could have just wandered around until he'd come across a new pack, but he felt he could do much better if he knew of at least one other before settling into a new home. Being around total strangers would be too... awkward, probably.

“It's nice to meet you, Kero,” the Greek said, once again giving the other wolf a quick glance to be polite. He returned his gaze forward in order to watch where he was walking, but his ears stayed tuned in to the voice of his current companion. It seemed the muddied wolf was new to the land, which he probably could have guessed given that he didn't yet know where to find a body of freshwater. “You'll get use to the area after awhile,” he pointed out. “You'll know where nearly everything is in no time, possibly.” He didn't know the stranger well enough to gauge whether or not he possessed a good sense of direction, but the boy gave him the benefit of the doubt anyways. Alastor was often like that, wishing to see the good in others, to see their strengths and positive skills.

No other packs? "What?" That thought baffled him. This place... or at least what he'd seen of it thus far, was pretty darn vast. There had to be at least a few packs running around that would take in a healthy looking wolf like this one. Then the wolf elaborated and Kero's thoughts ceased long enough to understand what he'd meant. He just didn't know of other packs because he hadn't really had the opportunity to look.

"I'm sure you'll find something. There's gotta be some pack around here looking for someone like you." Kero didn't know what that looked like yet. Hell, he wasn't even looking for a pack himself at this point. He was just trying to keep his head above the mud and now that he was free of it, he was happy to keep following this wolf in the direction of freshwater so he could rinse off.

Nevertheless, they lost themselves to small talk. Kero grinned. "Heh. Easier said than done," he murmured on the top of getting to know this place soon enough. Eventually? Maybe. For right now? Not a chance. "Hey. How far are we from this water spot?" He hoped it was nearby somewhere.

A deep rumble rattled around in his chest, watching from above as the two wolves neared his watering hole. While he had not marked anything, he was still here now and he would not tolerate the insufferable canines coming any closer. With a baleful sound, Red slunk down from his perch on a nearby boulder and charged, his shrieking scream announcing his presence as claws slashed outwards, towards the flank of the red creature. If he could catch him, Red would eat him, but he would not give chase. Not today.

His question was lost to the snarls of a wild creature. Kero's eyes turned as a ball of golden fur pounced at him. He moved, narrowly escaping the wrath of its claws as he used his wolven companion as a shield briefly before fleeing. Oh hell no. He was a loner here. He could not afford to take such risks with this lion. He could find a source of water and clean himself up another time. Here and now? Forget it. Every wolf for himself.

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