Lake Rodney see where you hide

AW — Welcome to those looking to claim Haunted Wood. Attempted to make this close enough to several locations for joiners. ;__; Someone play wif meeeee.

The Sun was just beginning its decline over the tops of the nearby wood, a cackle of birds swooning the last bits of light to rest in ragged, hoarse calls. Tall, slim ears traipsed upwards across sharply cut features to gaze upon the beings in faint interest. Nostrils inhaled the damp terrain almost as if by choice, sampling the variety of aromas that still clung to the wisps of chilly autumn air. There were scents of belonging, perhaps, but more importantly the wolf sampled the thought of food amidst the mud and grass. 

It was this time of evening that the drifter favored most. Neither light nor dark but some phantasmal mix between the two. Though gait had subsided to observe the horizon, the wolf picked up speed again, delicately plucking across the shoreline in a flippant cruise control. Black nostrils raked over stone and the metallic sting of earth for something — anything — almost in a mechanical habit to nourish the long journeys that had almost become just as habitual. 

"Mmm," came the low grumble from depths of throat, a shake of head displaying a vulnerable exposure of emotions that hadn't quite been tampered just yet by hardship. Ears twitched again as a soft splash hinted of a fish just too far away in the depths of the lake towards flanks. A new scent wafted into nasal passages and a tender pause located the interesting smell for a moment to decide whether the decaying minnow bones were worthy of stomaching. Ultimately, beggers could not be choosers, and lips wrapped about the slimy object with hardly a thought, sucking down sand, debris, and mushy carcass.

The last days of travel had been great for the midnight wolfess. Two others had recently joined the band, one that happened to be her sister. Lusa was grateful of this for sure. Her snow coated sister would be able to teach her more of how to be a leader. The women was still getting used to leading a pack of her own. Of course she was not alone, for her mate was right beside her. They were loyal to each other and sure to be a great alpha duo.

 When the band neared the scent of the lake as the sun missed the earth, Lusa let them take a rest. She sat with Grimnir and her pups, watching over them until they fell asleep. Only then did she decide to go farther and investigate the area.

 In the distance, she can see a nearby forest. From here, it looked as if the tree's bark were white. Lusa had never seen a birch tree before so this fascinated her. It seemed of have a mysterious glow that beckoned her closer, yet she stayed in place for a moment.

 When she moved closer, there was a sound of another coming from her side. She immediately went to seek out the noise, and was met with a wolf like creature. The sight of him bought bad memories. Memories of were she was forced to fight with the creatures called Dogs. But then again, he looked as though he had the blood of a wolf and Dog. Despite the fact, she was still edgy.

 She moved closer, a chuff coming from her mouth so she could be noticed. "Greetings."

The flitting motion of something had captured diligent attention and sharply wedged head lifted from the banks of the lake to spot a blotch of ink. It was a wolf, of course, with piercing ice bejeweled within its head that glinted in the waning light. Female, the wanderer deduced, due to the feminine croon of hello as scent playfully thwarted the lanky lake dweller. Tall ears floated upwards to meet her, attention diverting sharply across the various dips in body and variation of coat color from black to pewter. 

"Oh yes, hello," he murmured quietly, a glint of fiery eyeballs spiking cheeks upwards in a slightly sheepish grin. Such charms usually produced an odd, non-confrontational sort of demeanor that the drifter was accustomed to portraying to strangers. "Lost?" came the next question, incapable of finding another query than that of his senile father. It was still a habit after nearly a solid year of exploration with the creepy father figure. 

At some point ears slowly smoothed back upon skull, head dipping to a submissive dip that contradicted the bold and brazen step forward. He wasn't harmful... Another seemingly stupid smile crept along features, a hopeful excuse for the next little step nearer, closing the gap between the female without showing hints of relenting approach.

All seemed well at the moment. The women didn't think much of the boyish grin that spread across his maw. It didn't affect her in any way. She shook her head at his question. "Not exactly. I am hoping to create a new pack." Maybe she would be lucky enough to have this mysterious male to come along. With winter coming closer, not many wanted to be on their own. She had a high advantage because of this fact.

She had just started to calm, until the male dipped his head, stepping closer to her. When the space began to close between them, she stepped back, tail straight and teeth slightly showing. "I wouldn't come too close if I were you." She wasn't that easy to get to.

A pack, she said. A home. Somewhere to intrude upon and reap resources without putting out much effort. This confession from the female prompted a curious tilt of jawline, almost pausing in advances as brain crunched the proposal she hadn't even spoken yet. It wouldn't take much, perhaps, if the female was as desperate for bodies as he was for solid meals. Just as lips spliced to return conversation, she bristled and balked. The flash of teeth caused stare to deepen, a soft twinkle of ember-like eyes flashing over the unspoken request to stay back with lifted tail and hackles. 

"Are you sick?" he asked impishly, hopefully portraying enough stupidity in tone to be taken seriously. Advances paused, a cessation of paws rooting the male several paces off like a statue of dark foreboding. "Is your pack sick?" he asked with another tilt of jawline, features softening somewhat to give an illusion of innocence. Perhaps she did have some sort of ailment or malady. Head folded back into neck as though to leer away from her just in case without actually moving.

She was glad that the male had stopped, and once again her muscles relaxed. She didn't know why she felt on edge around him. She wasn't at that weird fighting place anymore, so she shouldn't worry much. But her past was revolved around that place. It wasn't a happy time in her life.

 His question baffled her even more. "I'm healthy," she replied. Did she appear that way? Was this male trying to confuse her? Something just didn't feel right.

There was seemingly an ease to the female. Relaxation uncoiled springing muscles bunched beneath her feminine shoulders. Success. Inwardly the wolf simmered with a heat that only surfaced with success. Games were much more fun when played with others, he surmised. 

Her admittance to health was regarded with the wolf's own relaxation, neck sinuously uncoiling from shoulder base to gently scent the air as though unsure of the truth in the statement. Nasal passages did not detect any twinge of decoy or rot (always a plus), though knowledge of illnesses were aware that not all maladies carried stink with them. "I see," he said in an effort to break the awkward self-made silence. "You should tell me about it," he instructed her with that same mask of indifference. The tone carried just enough curiosity of the subject to surpass rudeness. Ember-like eyes sparkled again, fiery licks of observation flitting across the female's form to linger on scars and blemishes beneath the coat.

Hope you don't mind if I pop in here. Let me know otherwise.  (Grimnir always has refered to himself as 'grim' so in this thread I will make it 'Grimnir', otherwise it would get confusing.)

Stirring, Grimnir woke with a strange feeling. He blinked a few times to clear the sleep from his amber eyes before glancing around. Their party was sleeping soundly. But Lusa was missing. With a low growl Grimnir rose slowly a few of his scabs splitting open. Blood drops welled up from the gash on his chest, spilling over so that they trailed down and dropped into the dirt below. He ignored the slight pain from the opened wounds. Where had his mate gone off too? He started from where he had last seen her, following her scent trail into the woods. Had she seen something? If so, then why hadn't she woken him? Grimnir did not want to think about the option of someone taking her away. His thoughts shifted briefly towards Damien and Cicero. They weren't far from Blackfeather Woods. There could be a chance that the brothers were still after their revenge. 

But it wasn't long before his suspicions were doused. Lusa stood with a single black wolf which could not have been either of the brothers. Grimnir lowered his head, stopping far enough away so they would not catch his scent. Hopefully they had not heard him approaching either. Who was this? Another potential member of their pack? He caught a tidbit of what the male last said. Was this wolf wanting to know about their pack? Grimnir decided to sit tight and wait to see what this stranger's intentions were. 

If the male was friendly, then he would reveal himself to them. If not then he would wait for an opportunity to strike. A silent snarl lifted red lips over stained teeth. He did not trust any of the wolves that Lusa had brought with them. This one would be no different. Their last pack had used his pup as bait, luring Grimnir into a trap, drugging him. Cicero and Damien had interrogated him, and then attacked him out of revenge. He couldn't blame the brothers fully, but to get a pup involved and use a drug? They had been weak. But the fact that pack had turned on pack several times in Blackfeather made Grimnir trust no one. Leading a pack with Lusa would be difficult, he was worried that he may drive wolves away and make mistakes that would hurt his lover. But he would support her always. Grimnir only hoped that she would forgive him if he messed up.

Shaking his head to clear it, Grimnir brought his full attention to the two wolves ahead of him. He could deal with his worries later. Lusa needed him now.

She forced herself to relax more when the other had. Then something clicked in her mind that made her stand straighter and with confidence. She was leader of her group and needed to carry herself as such. The memories of Dogs was pushed in the back and she focused all her attention on the male before her.

 Confusion hit her once more when he wanted to know of something. "What do you wish to know?" Was it about her pack or something else? She couldn't help but notice his eyes trail across her body, making her a little nervous once more. Alas she still kept a confident posture.

 As they talked, Grimnir went unnoticed. Lusa couldn't detect him in anyway. Maybe Grim didn't notice either.

The more the merrier!

A different disposition appeared to take hold of the once-anxious wolf that had bristled at approach. Features went rigid and seemingly self-righteous. A question had beget nothing more than another question. No information had easily been exposed from the dark-coated alpha forming her own territory. Most who had attempted the inky drifter's recruitment had easily produced a location, goals, or specific traits that interested their regime. The wolf was left with little. 

While the approach of another was not outwardly witnessed, the faint ruffles of damp grass had. The pitch-coated wanderer did not display he'd noticed, preferring to keep one tall, feathery ear aligned in the direction it had paused. Perhaps it was a prey item or perhaps, as experience had strongly dictated, it was backup looking to snuff out competition. Whatever it was, attention was split between two locations in an unwieldy situation. 

"Stuff," he said smoothly. "Things." Expressions had slipped into a stony neutral. Burning gaze did not relent on the female's face, unyielding to her sudden confidence in neutral territory.

Lusa asked her question of what did the male want to know. Grimnir was all to eager to understand that as well. Amber eyes narrowed at the ear that turned faced them. So the stranger had noticed something was lurking nearby. Lusa had made no indication that she had heard him approach at all. But even though his presence was known by the dark stranger, Grimnir did not want to reveal himself just yet. The intentions of the black wolf were still unclear. If this meeting went south, he hoped Lusa would think to take him with her next time. 

Unfortunately, Lusa's question was answered with a vague response. Grimnir bristled at the bastards blatant show of disrespect, forcing back a growl. Who did he think he was to nonchalantly brush off an Alpha's question even if he was a lone wolf. Although, Grimnir could understand that this one did not have to answer any questions. They were not his alphas. But if he wanted to be a part of their pack, the stranger had a poor way of showing it.

Grimnir promised to teach this loner to respect them if Lusa took him in. Disrespect would not be tolerated. Especially towards his mate. But there was no solid evidence that this wolf was interested in their pack at all. Was he playing with Lusa? Best to attack now, the voices cooed. Don't let him get away, they laughed. Grimnir ignored them contemplating why they had returned. Cicero and Damien's attack could be the only explanation. With the voices speaking up again, Grimnir worried that they would cause problems. But he did not feel compelled to follow their demands. That was lucky for this stranger. Grimnir would have followed his voices instructions in the past. But then again, in the past he would have ripped this loner apart on sight.

When one of the male's ears swerved to the side, her eyes glanced over in its direction. The dark coated wolf didn't give herself much time to look over, so Grimnir still went unnoticed. She decided that she could focus her attention on Grim and Grim alone.

 His response didn't help the situation that much, making her grunt. "I'm afraid I can't help you with that sort of answer." By now, she didn't want to answer him at all. It didn't seem like he cared for what the alpha said. "Are you looking to join us, or are you just passing through?" If he wished to join her, she would gladly take him in, but if he didn't than she owed him nothing.

If you guys do not want to post after you don't need to. :) Thank you for the thread and meeting my monster! ♥

It didn't seem like such an intimidating request. Asking for information with one's organization seemed to be a normal form of communication according to the inky traveler. Yet, despite efforts on more than one occasion to pull details from her, nothing came. Not a location they intended on settling in or the morals and values that they adhered to. What made their little band of misfits any different than the rest? Why should the tall, lanky male devote loyalty to an individual so unforthcoming? Gaze narrowed. Her response was both irritating and childish. A waste of time.

An inky lip curled back, exposing one snide sneer before a snort broke the tense silence. There was hope snot shot far enough to hit her face. "No," was his solitary reply, a generosity at that considering there was a lack of desire to respond at all. With a flick of tail and a toss of sharply-cut head, the wanderer sought his way out, a flippant gait removing him from the ridiculous scene. Ears remained twisted back, just in case, before vanishing into the overgrowth.

Once the black male left, Grimnir wove through the trees to stand beside his mate. He growled at the spot where the stranger had disappeared. "I was worried," he told Lusa without taking his eyes off the foliage. "Why hadn't you woken me?" Wind rustled the dying leaves around them,  carrying the crisp scent of fall. One stray orange leaf caught on his paw. Grimnir lifted his foot to release the trapped leaf. The reopened wound on his chest protested the movement.

Grimnir turned his large head to his mate. "He won't be welcome here again." He nodded in the direction the black wolf had gone. "If I see him around, I will rip him to shreds." It was the only warning he would give. Stained teeth shone beneath thin black lips in a vicious snarl. "He was outright disrespectful to you. That won't be tolerated." He turned without further explanation. They needed to get back to their slowly forming pack before they were discovered missing. Grimnir trotted off, indicating Lusa to follow with a flick of his tail.

A low growl rose from her throat at the act of disrespect from the male. Despite her not being his alpha, this was still her lands and she deserved some show of respect. She watched as the crow colored male walked away, eyes icy cold.

 Right after he left, Grimnir came from his hiding spot, which was a bit surprising. She jumped slightly at the sound of his voice. "You needed some rest after all that traveling, especially with those wounds." Grimnir was already beaten up, and he was most likely sore from there nonstop traveling. All of them were.

 She nodded her agreement. Maybe if Grim hadn't shown disrespect, it would have been taken easier. "I'm with you."