Sleeping Dragon tonight, the foxes hunt the hounds

@Semuqet.

She’d managed a few hours of sleep after talking with @Gyda, slumber breaking just beyond midday. Thuringwethil stretches her legs and glances around to find no signs of the other woman. She didn’t expect her to have remained for so long but it wouldn’t be the last time, meeting last night is proof enough. She stands, shakes her fur, and works her way out of the cavern to a cold, snow-blanketed ground. A set of paw prints lead to the cave mouth. There is no obvious evidence one set left hours before but Thuringwethil notices a slight disturbance in the paw prints next to hers.

Beyond where the snow thins and, eventually, turns to a lifeless green draws her attention. She moves by the set of paw prints leading toward her and begins the exploration of the mountain. The snow melts beneath her paws and the closer she gets, the soil beneath her feet dampens and squishes beneath her toes, finding the expanse of a geyser at her feet. The ground varies with vegetation, most dormant during the colder months, and patches of snow remain in clusters away from the heat coming from the ground.

Thuringwethil spies a break in the trees, leading up the mountain before disappearing in twists and turns she can’t see from where she stands. It doesn’t stop her feet, pushing her forward as she finds her curiosity pulling her through the land.

Semuqet walked along through the snowy wood. She had traveled up into Teekon from her old home, after killing her abusive father she had been exiled from the pack. Her whole life the female had been thought to kill, her pack was of cold blood, a regal family of warriors. She had refused to do so, believing that there were better ways to solve problems. Until the day that she snapped, her father told her to kill a pup, who had rambled into their territory looking for help. Semuqet refused, her father threatened her, and she killed him in a flash of anger. He was her first kill, and she wasn't sorry. But it had made her realize, that killing wasn't as hard as she's thought. It always pained her inside to know that she had almost enjoyed ripping out her father's throat.

It was time for a change though. A new life just for her. She didn't want to be a killer, not like her father. No, never like her father. That's why she had traveled here. Somewhere where no one knew her name. She had even thought about changing her given name, but she didn't. It was a constant reminder of her past and her promise to make things right. She trotted along the path, her russet colored markings giving her he appearance of a fiery blue in the winter white. She planned to climb the mountain, maybe reach its peak. Who knew what could be beyond its tip, a new beginning she hoped.

Semuqet then saw another wolf up ahead. A black female, climbing the path as well. Semuqet didn't exactly want to talk with the wolf, but it would be good to know what was around the area. She barked, alerting the female of her presence, then walked proudly towards her. She stopped a few yards away and introduced herself, her chest puffed out dominantly, but with a soft grin upon her face. She wasn't challenging the female in any way, just asserting that she would put up a fight if need be.

Hey there, name's Qet. And you are? She was very laid back, very calm, yet she had a sassy intensity about her. Her smooth way of talking and flirtatious smirk made her seem likable, even though her actual words were sometimes sharp and brutal. She was a very seductive and cunning woman.

Yay I'm so happy to post as Qet, I just love her already. She's such a flirt xP

Thurningwethil takes her time getting to the other side of the geyser, careful to avoid the wettest parts for her future travel. Freezing and thawing out later once she’s left such a warm ground isn’t something she cares to deal with. She keeps going, absorbing in her surroundings as much as she can. She wanted a mountain for her new home and the path would lead her that way. The geyser would be a nice addition to her claim. It is only the beginning.

The sound of another trotting up to her causes her to stop in her walk, turning to see a tawny wolf coming to a stop. Her head is high and chest puffed out and Thuringwethil feels a grin tug at her features. It would take more than just Gyda and herself to protect the land they chose, bring other wolves under their wing. They’d be better equipped handling others traipsing her home.

She raises a brow, the female’s voice does not sound threatening but her body did not relax. Her own head lifts and she eyes the woman’s throat, settling her grey eyes on the soft flesh there. She feels the pulse of her companions dying between her teeth as she spared their lives for her to flee and find her new home. 

“Thuringwethil,” she introduces finally, breaking her face to study the other woman’s features. "Where do you come from?"

I like her! :)

Qet sat back, eying the female closely, analyzing her movements and weaknesses. Thuringwethil didn't seem intimidated by Semuqet, which kind of bothered her. But she didn't mind, the female was smart. She was right to be suspicious, especially of a girl like Qet. She stifled a laugh at the mention of the black wolf's name. Thuringwethil? What were your parents thinking? Semuqet half whispered to herself, but also sort of wanted the other woman to hear. She always enjoyed a good tease. 

Thuringwethil inquired about where she came from. Part of her wanted to share, but her instinct told her otherwise. She'd only just met the woman, telling too much about her past wasn't smart. A pack down south. She winked and rose to her feet, she pretended to be bored of the conversation, stretching out lazily to see how Thuringwethil would react. She gave a side wards glance to the other wolf and said, Where do you come from? And what're you doing out here? Her manner of speech wasn't intimidating or rude. More just chill and lax.

Her ears, cupped forward, catch the comment but she does little to show. Her name had been tough growing up, pronouncing it herself and getting others to pronounce it clearly, but the moment she’d be called before her people, it no longer became an issue. She’d simply replaced her name with her title, heda. When some straggler of a lone wolf mimics it, she doesn’t give in to her youthful flashbacks of anger and holds herself steady, giving the other a chance to move on to something more important.

The answer she receives is vague but enough to give Thuringwethil the realization she isn’t going to get much information. Thuringwethil swallows a growl, a low rumble goes unheard, as she resists the urge to control something that is not hers. 

“North east,” she finally says with a raise brow. “I’m traveling. My companion and I are looking to settle somewhere.”

Both Gyda and Thuringwethil grew up on the coast and her heart may be connected but she knows where she’s meant to be. If the mountain she’d taken refuge in the night before is the land of her new home, she’d accept it and lead her wolves once more.

Excuse some of the awkward bits, still trying to work her personality out.

Semuqet smirked as she watched Thuringwethil shift uncomfortably. She could tell that the black wolf didn't appreciate her tease. But she was right to keep her anger in. Qet was a formidable foe, and wouldn't hold back if push came to shove. Most of the stuff that the other wolf was talking about bored her. Just blah blah blah really, but something hooked her attention. Your companion? Would that be your mate? Or maybe a sister? She cocked her head, staring up at the wolf from where she had laid on the ground. Qet was very smooth, very calm. Her actions seemed foolish, rolling over onto her back and stretching across the ground, it would seem she was completely vulnerable.

However this was just another tactic of hers, it was how she analyzed a possible friend or foe. She wanted to see what Thuringwethil would do, see if the other would go hostile or remain calm. Besides, Qet trusted that she could move quickly enough to evade a real attack. She found or thought that she was in no obvious danger. So she yawned lazily, glancing at Thuringwethil with a childish grin.

Oh no it's good! I'm still figuring out Qet too so xP

The other wolf doesn’t remain on her feet, lolling off to the side, and Thuringwethil’s eyes roll. Finding Gyda the night before had given the young woman hope for the wolves of her new land but Qet is proving her wrong. She is a leader with a strong hand and weak-minded wolves are simply in the way. They are not apart of her, they are not her wolves, and she feels the seed of doubt creep on her. She pushes it away and bites back the frustration she wants to express but heda remains still.

Qet questions her companion, what she assumes to be harmless, and not something far out enough to ask. It would matter little to the other wolf when Thuringwethil shuts her out but it gives her a second to think. Gyda had been a friend growing up and when she’d been called to lead her pack. Gyda had given her all the support she needs but mate is furtherest from their minds. Their romance, or lack thereof, had never been addressed and she can’t say for sure her friend felt more than she’d let on.

“She is neither,” Thuringwethil tells her, not bothering to elaborate.

The dark wolf watches the female on the ground for a moment longer as she realizes she’s wasting her time. Thuringwethil smirks, shakes her head, and turns to leave and get back to her business.

I think we can fade here, maybe have them meet again in the future?

Semuqet didn't get much of an answer out of Thuring, and that kind of frustrated her. To her, it was ok for her to do it, but not ok when Thuring did. Qet frowned and rolled back onto her stomach, watching as Thuring turned and began to walk away. The meeting was short lived, and very strange. But at least Qet had learned something. Apparently Teekon wolves were different from those back home. They weren't challenging or confusing. They just were. Qet kind of liked that, and knew she could get used to it. She smiled to herself and came quickly to her paws. She should be going too, she would have a long trek ahead while searching for a new home. So off she went, her tail swishing cheerfully at her sides as she planned her future.