Firestone Hot Springs Arguru - Printable Version

She traveled a distance from her territory today. These times would come few and far between; but today, it was born out of necessity. Tonravik would make it so few would come to Tartok and their borders. She had no desire to find wolves for them, either, content with their current number and satisfied with the way in which things were going. While it was not yet at its full potential, she knew their time was coming.

Still, she needed to know of the lands surrounding them. Tonravik had seen Neverwinter Forest, and knew of it (as well as enjoyed it), but that land was claimed by a pack; she could not study it more than she already had. Elsewhere, she could lurk. The Alpha could learn of the wolves that loitered out of her home, and perhaps some might be of a pack that she could learn of. She knew little of the packs around the area, but as a leader it was her responsibility to learn. The Tartok woman knew she would send a wolf desiring to be a scout to see what other packs there were, and how they fared.

It was evening by the time she arrived at the Springs. She had left early in the morning, and by now the sun had changed its position entirely. The daughter of Siku knew her furs were thickening already thanks to the impending winter, but it made the still-warm days hot. A grimace was sent to the springs, and she pauses to sniff the air for a moment.

She had come here once before but had not lingered for long. The wetlands had summoned her back quickly on her last trek and now, Amekaze found herself unsurprised to have returned. The humidity of this place was just as curious as she remembered it and she strode deeper into the depths of the territory without pause.

The night had crept closer and she had not yet felt the pull to return to the east. She trusted that she could find a place to bed down once the time to retire for the day came, but the lithe female knew that would not come for several hours still. She intended to make use of her time, down the last minute, and there was still ground to cover if she intended to build an improved understanding of the terrain here.

Even if she could not say that she would stay for good yet, it was where she was now, so she had resigned to learn all she could. With winter's approach her hunting grounds would need to broaden, so it would be wise to understand where the packs in the area hunted and where she could travel undisturbed. So far, here seemed.. quiet, but not long after she considered the notion, she scented another wolf -- female and, in a way she could not place immediately, not entirely unfamiliar. She strode onward to find more.

Amekaze's trail weaved across the springs and the scent gained strength the further she trekked. She recalled it from the ghostly woods weeks ago, although then had only caught mere glimpses of it, so to speak. This time, it was much more clear and was merely muddled somewhat by the scent of humidity and hot spring.

Amekaze stole sight of the female as soon as she was able. The other was similarly dark-furred although considerably larger. Accordingly, the loner was silent, guarded and careful as she made the rest of her approach, although the responses she was met with would determine much of her next moves.

The scent of the other wafted in her direction. There was a vague familiarity to it, but in its vagueness, she understood one thing: they were not Tartok. She knew most of the wolves scents implicitly. Even those not of the area would smell of familiar faces, and this she-wolf did not. Tonravik deduced she must have met this wolf in passing. They had survived another once before; she supposed she could do it again.

As the other approached, Tonravik turns her head alone to look in her direction. She did not mind the company. If the other desired to fall into the Springs, that was all well and good. Tonravik was not a social wolf, but she was not so as unsocial as her mother who would speak to no one. That hardly meant she was eloquent. Tonravik was guarded herself, however, despite her stance remaining appropriately proud. Her eyes remained upon the woman lest the other decide now was the opportune moment to turn on her.

Amekaze was careful, as any loner should be, although her pride let traces of her confidence remain to be seen even as she postured neutrally before the larger female. However, the pride of the other female's stance outmatched her own, which made the dark loner curious. Surely it was warranted, in some place and time. This female could not be a nobody. Amekaze chuffed in greeting and squared her paws.

You seem somewhat familiar to me, she voiced after a thoughtful pause. The moisture of the springs filled her nostrils and ever-so-subtly dampened her coat. However, their warmth was welcome. She found herself taking in all she could of the mysterious wolf (while mindfully avoiding her eyes), tracing the lines of her thickened coat and wondering how she looked in motion, in the hunt, in battle, teeth-barred and blood-stained. Amekaze got the sense that even despite her considerable size, she could surely dance in her own way.

Somehow, she was reminded of memories that did not even feel like her own.