Northstar Vale he is you

@Xi'nuata

Over the rolling meadows, Narcissus trailed water, his paws dotting the terrain with damp prints artfully as a painter. His gait was unfaltering, such that if one were to examine the distance between each print, they would find it almost exact every time. Each print was a perfect replica of the last... Just as Narcissus was a perfect replica of Hawthorne and Anemone. He had not sought his sister since first settling in Northstar's comfortable confines, though by no fault of either wolf. He had been in training, learning the basic necessities of being a monk and representing the pack. At long last, though, the hunstman had been set free, and what speed he showed!

For his first action as an initiated wolf of Northstar Vale was certain: he would hunt. It was the monk's job to provide for the majority of the pack, and being as far as he knew the only other monk (even though there were, in fact, a fair few), he decided to start immediately. A few moons in the Vale had been enough to tell him it was bountiful... Now all he needed was to find the prey.

His nose hung over the ground as he loped easily along the river's side, dead centre to the pack's grounds. It was not until he caught the faint whiff of fresh dung that he paused, lifting his head to survey his surroundings. The prey was not visible, but it was close, so Narcissus threw back his head to give a joyful yip into the air, hoping to round up nearby pack members to aid in this, the wolf's most beloved game of chase.

To her, there was no grander stage than the lengths of the mountains of the Vale. Their terrain was ever changing, the challenges endless for the skillful to fail then master again. Each time stood upon them was a learning experience in and of itself to sharpen the innate skill and encourage creativity that should one stumble upon mountains that different, the muscles and bones would know how to move- they would know how to dance upon any stage. This was her practice, her training in the Vale, and as always it concluded to a brisk trot through the woodlands. She was not fond of the flatter lands, but she was learning, with due respect to the lessons endured and still learning throughout her days. Her pace lacked the grace that could be seen on the mountain. Her steps uneven and uncertain, but determined none the less. She needed more practice, of this she knew. But more so than that, she needed a distraction to take her mind from her dislike and allow her to immerse herself in simply ‘moving’. No better call was that than of the short yip of the newest Vale-dweller, no doubt acclimating well if he openly sought the ears of his brethren. Letting her mind slip away from uncertainty, she moved with purpose toward his location, her bulk a force parting through the heavy flora not nearly touching but allowing the earth to bend away at her will. Her appearance was sudden as she came upon him then. Fur unkempt and mane as per usual wild and unruly as her posture slouched comfortably upon the decay of a fallen tree. But there was a spark in her bi-colored eyes to draw away from her dirtied form- dared one address it as ‘life’, pure and complicated. She said nothing to him first but bent her ears forward to listen, beckoning silently that he explain his call.

Narcissus was still as he awaited the returning call of his kin. The chill damp from his wet coat made him yearn to shake it out; after only a minute of resistance, he gave way to this urge, and let droplets fly. His coat took on a savage aspect, his mane prickled into well-formed spikes by the force of his shake. He was still wet, and the wind was still cold as it blew past him, but he felt better for shaking himself. Even the briskest day of winter could not deter Narcissus L'amour from grooming himself in the sea, or in lieu of that, a calm river.

Xi'nuata, the auburn-cloaked female from the borders, was prompt in answering his summons. She came from the edge of the wood, catching his eye even as her flank pressed against a tree and lingered. She beguiled him, in part because of her strange two-toned eyes and in part because of her coat, a pattern unusual to him. Narcissus allowed himself a momentary holding of her gaze before he felt it necessary to reveal his intentions. "A herd has come through here," he said, with a charming grin. So far, he had not been up to his normal trickery. Soon... But not today. "Care to join me?"

Without letting her answer, he purred out his own response in her stead: "why, Narcissus, such a kind and noble gesture! Allow me to run with you this day!" With a cheeky smile and a glimmer of mischief in his eye, the L'amour jester obliged her with an amiable wave of his tail. In all things, he was good-natured; it was nothing but a little game that he hoped she would not find offensive. "Well, that's settled then! Shall we?"

Upon her arrival, she took note of his physical condition since their last encounter. Their time at the borders had been only for an introduction and the inevitable reunion between lost siblings, but from then to now there was a definite difference in both his form and disposition. He smiled more readily, wearing the expression of contentment on muzzle and ashen sleeves. His voice too was lighter, though remained with the masculine strain that progressed with age. However it morphed suddenly before she had a moment to reply, as he took lead instead to compose an articulate reply in her stead. Oh, indeed he was feeling much more comfortable. Her tail swayed gently as she waited for his reply, her expression passive as per usual with but a hint of amusement reflected in her two-toned eyes. If he was comfortable enough within the Vale to jest, then it was not her place to contest it with discomfort. For all she knew, it was the return to his sister’s side that encouraged this behavior. Or perhaps a well needed rest to inspire the exuberant spirit. Regardless of the reason, she accepted it as thus and dismounted her log to walk nearer to him. She nudged her head forward in silence for him to carry on. She would simply follow.

He grinned when she swept forth, abandoning her perch in favour of his company. Though there was always the potential for someone to take offence to his presumptuous ways, he was confident in them. Most wolves could tell a good-natured fellow from a condescending one. Though Narcissus could have worn a green hat and bow and led merry men across the realm for his antics, he never did them in poor taste. So glad was he that Xi'nuata saw fit to join him (she was pretty to look at, and being in pretty company made him feel prettier, too) that soft whimpers met her as she drew near. On legs bowed in customary respect, he offered her chin the soft graze of his teeth and tongue; the gentle nibble of a subordinate wolf.

She gestured for him to lead, which took him by surprise. It showed in the youthful shine of his eyes as he looked her over, awaiting a sign that she took back the offer, but she gave none. Narcissus was not a born leader—he was a jester, a joke!—but nevertheless, he seized the opportunity. Most oft, he would follow Anemone, and then Hawthorne, in that exact order... The last of the three to lead was Narcissus, in spite of having all the confidence and nerve in the world. But in hunting, the primal sport of hard-willed wolves, his identical littermates were no match for him.

Narcissus' nose sought the ground once more as he assumed the role of ranger. The scent of game left like a thin perfume over the earth was fresh; no doubt the herd had passed through only several hours prior. They would find them in good time. He picked up a casual trot along the worn trail they had no doubt taken, swinging back his ears to survey Xi'nuata as he addressed her.

"Have you been here long, warrior?" he wondered, naming her by her faction with a tone of reverent respect.

A different sort of hunt would begin as commenced. The casual stroll of lupine limbs soon evolved to a quick trot signalling the start of the pursuit of their quarry. The musk of the herd was faint, but present. Near encompassed by the natural aroma of the woodland, but not enough to present the possibility that the trail would run cold soon. They had time. But a more diligent pace served them well. Xi'nuata was quite mindful of her steps, doing her best not to press to soundly on the ground. It was difficult given her weight, though she managed, taking a higher road when able by way of fallen tree and solid stone. Until she learned how best to travel in the sound inducing realm, she did was she would within the mountains; purposeful pounce from earth to higher ground when able- a gentle press then bound again, then repeat as long as the path would allow. In the midst of her dance, her ears perked forward addressing the male at the lead. "Xi'nuata is fine," she corrected as the breathed. True, she had pride for her faction but was not keen on being addressed by it without reason. They were not among their superiors. Such formality was not needed. "I have been with the Vale since its founding," she continued with hardly a pause. "Brought in by my faction leader to find purpose under his guidance."