OOC: After the avalanche :o

The aftermath of the avalanche had left the female with much to consider, much more than she had devoted to anything other than the pack. It would serve as a testament to her likeness as a simpler creature but too true was it a reminder of her disposition as a creature of feeling. She was not yet ready to return to the Vale, even though she missed it so. Her heart yearned for the comforts of the mountains, to make again a home within its warm heart. But it felt cold just the same, each time she thought of the mountain keep as if the ice upon her shoulders had not fully thawed and each frigid drip of precipitation bit a little deeper into her skin.

She turned her sights toward grounds familiar, if only by passing but just the same held her eye. Traveling along the sandy shores of the sea, her pace was slow, deliberate, as if to delay the inevitable return as much as she was able. Though in time, she knew her sulking would need to near its end. She had a duty to her pack, and more amount of wandering could keep her from it.

Silently, she looked upon the borders of the Ridge, her eyes heavy and dulled even as they beheld the beauty of light cast upon its horizon. She had a mind to call for her companion in the hopes of seeing a familiar face, but thought better of it than to disturb to flow of another’s life. She would not be marked as so selfish as that.

The sea borne breeze brought with it a familiar scent; a likeness of the Ridge but with a familiar masculine musk. Inquisitively, her nose veered from the path ahead to nearest the borders… and behold a sight for the poorer. When first she had seen the kindly guide Kennedy, it had been at the beginning of spring and he looked to be in wonderful health. But now as her eyes behold his approaching form, glee for his company gave way to concern as tawny brows knitted in concern and lips parted with a bothered whined. What had happened, she wondered as her eyes immediately feel to his wounded leg. The state of his ribs forced her eyes to turn away, yet the horror remained as an after image even as she looked to the sand.

She had a mind to question him and ascertain his place within the pack, yet his forward actions stopped her, drawing a breath of shock as he bypassed her flank and slipped around to her rear. She all but leapt in alarm, spinning her heft around on sturdy paws to face him. Her eyes were wide and lips quivering in the threat of baring fang. What was that all about?! She had every right to ask, yet the words did not come forth as shock had effectively stolen them away.

She had not been angered by the male’s sudden actions, more curious than insulted as to what caused this form of greeting. Yet, the shock of it kept any question from verbally coming forth. Not so much as a whine slipped through her muzzle as she eyed him suspiciously.

However it was with a hardened eye that she regarded him then, watching as again he circled her from the side and made a wordless line toward her tail end. Again she spun around keeping the base of her tail pressed tightly over the crevice of her thighs. Her hackles raised with agitation for his conduct, as did her lips rear back in a show of ivory fangs. Her warning was low, throaty given the natural state of her chords, but audible and clear in its desire for an explanation. She had looked to the male as having a kind disposition the first time they met. Whatever had changed within that moment til now, she wanted to know before his actions found him hurt.

Perhaps it was the fault of her upbringing that the female was unaware of the effect her spring-borne scent had upon the male. Had she learned when reaching maturity she might have better taken care to seclude herself in these dire times. But she was ignorant, as she was with most circumstances of the world, and carried on under the assumption that the dark male had simply not been the one she had encountered before. That his behavior before then had been a farce, and this ragged creature was the true face of the wolf Kennedy. Truly, it was disheartening, yet she spared none of her sadness as his persistence grated unpleasantly at her nerves.

Again he circled her but with an unpleasant nip to her hastily guarded quarters. Immediately she snarled and spun towards his and reaching out with a heavy paw in an effort to discourage him with a hard slap to his muzzle. Whatever he was playing at, the Vale female was not amused.

The warden was a creature that believed situations could be reasoned away from conflict, yet her pacifist nature was sorely being tested. Aggression was not new to her, yet she did not favor accepting it into herself. Rather she protest it than succumb. But the option was closing as the once sensible male made his intentions all the more clearer.

He had hobbled around to her back once again, and swiftly made to assert himself over her. Every warning in her mind went off at once, rousing ferocity from the female as she spun on the tops of her paws out and from under him. Her eyes were wide as she turned on him, her teeth bared and parted as she lunged for his shoulder. The forced of her run was meant to knock him over, at least with enough impact to perhaps knock some sense into him before giving up all together.

She had only once before wanted to cause someone intentional pain for their actions, but never was it someone she thought she knew. When her body made contact, the she-wolf immediately lept away from the crumpled form of the male. Her eyes were fixed on him, wide, as her lips quivered in anger hoping to further persuade him away from his venture. And eventually, it was successful.

Xi’nuata watched as he lumped back toward his precious Ridge, yet remained standing there for a moment longer until her body returned to a relative state of calm. She hadn’t realized she was shaking until the adrenaline receded and a flood of hurt and uncertainty… as well as shame… come flooding over her in its place. Lowering her tail between her legs, she turned from the Ridge and took off in sprint. Whatever had happened, she did not want to think about it, but did not feel it would leave the forefront of her mind any time soon.

[Exit Nuata]