Lost Creek Hollow Promising (Joining Thread)

Ilya

The black fae had traveled for ages, unsure of what to come and what to do. Currently, she had been travelling along the border of a pack with a strongly marked territory. She let out a thick breath into the cool air and let her blue eyes gaze upwards into the sky, thinking hesitantly. It was hard to tell if she was completely aware, her eyes seemed hazy and confused and her body, although muscular, allowed for her bony ribs to poke out. It was clear she had been alone for a while, and even more obvious she had trouble finding food recently. This was a bit disheartening, as it wasn't even winter and food was still decently plentiful; but she didn't seem weak. 

She took in another deep breath, a muffled bark rippling from her jaws as she let it back out. She still seemed hesitant, as if some sort of interior monologue was battling inside her head. She let out another frustrated noise and then let loose a long, loud, howl. It was clear, determined, and maybe even hopeful. She then swallowed and sat, her clear confidence leaving and replacing itself with a complete lack of pride; only fear. 

She stood again and shook out her pelt, yipping again with frustration and sitting down again. This time she left her chest puffed out and her shoulders broad, her ears perked and her head held high. She clearly planned on lowering her pose to meet whoever greeted her as she cocked her head and shifted positions as if practicing multiple times. Finally she sat still, and waited.

@Mordecai

Another day rolled lazy across the wilderness, but the wolves within the hollow were hardly of the idle sort.  With Luke set out to visit the neighboring pack to their west and Harlyn more than likely gathering herbs somewhere, Mordecai for a change was utterly on his own.  Not that it was a bother, as he did have his moments of solitude in the winding wood.

He had been considering unearthing a cache where he had previously stored a hare from their last hunt, when a call rose up from the ambient din and grasped his attention.  Generally howls of any sort grasped at his attention, but this one held particular importance because it sought out someone of authority.  As those notes faded away, he set off towards the borders without thought for his original plans.

It took him a few minutes to get there, though that was hardly out of the ordinary.  As they lived and wove their existence into the natural pathways of the hollow, they became easier to traverse at length.  And it was there that he found her, a small sylph among the fringes of the towering trees and late summer greenery.  In his approach he pulled himself up into a more respectable stature and slowed as he drew close enough for them to speak.

His inquisitive expression said it all — she had wanted an alpha, and she had one.

All that remained was why.

(Eek! I apologize, I edited my thread to fit the POV requirements. Hopefully that is better. (: )

@Mordecai

Ilya

The black fae stood, a bit taken back but bowed her head respectfully. Clearly, she wasn't sure what to say, and her paws moved on the soft ground a few times before she finally spoke; she most likely expected the male to speak first. 

"My name is Ilya," She stated, and lowered her head slightly to show the male he had clear dominance in the situation, even though it was obvious he had it anyway. "I am a loner and I am from no previous pack," she let the lie go, unsure if her previous pack was known to this one and unwilling to find out if it did. "I feel as though my skills would be more helpful in a pack than they are on their own; I wish to join your ranks," She dipped her head a bit lower, maybe not intentionally. 

Nervously, her head raised slightly and she met the eyes of the brute, hoping to appear confident that she would indeed be a strong asset to the new pack. 

It did not surprise him that there were still wolves that came to their borders. They came even before they had properly settled, and he suspected that they would continue to come through the remainder of the year. Though the warmth of summer still clung tight to the world around them, it was a fleeting thing now. The nights delved into crisp air, and the earth had begun a slow decay. These were things that he did not notice readily, but would soon. A few stray leaves whisked about in the wind did not trouble him. But even Mordecai knew the warm season was ebbing away.

She stole a glance away at him and he felt the curl of his top lip; a fair display of teeth to remind her not to be overconfident. She was not a young thing by any means, younger than he that was true, but old enough to know better. And as it were, they were not a pack struggling to hold their territory or find able bodies to help them bolster their growing winter stores. But in light of that, if her story was really true, then perhaps she lacked in socialization. To need that, he found he was not overly familiar. Mordecai had never been out of company for long.

"What can you do for us?" he asked though not unkind. "What skills do you possess?" They had aspiring hunters and healers in their midst, and capable ones already. He trusted in them now to keep their borders safe, though there had little ascertaining whether or not it was more than just himself and Harlyn maintaining them now. He simply expected it of them, as they had worked so hard to hold them in the first place.

Ilya

Wincing, the female lowered her gaze once again, unsure now where to look. Perhaps I've made a mistake. Maybe I don't belong in a pack. She thought, staring nervously for a moment. She tried to gather her confidence again, but was now a bit shaky. Unwilling to appear weak and incapable, she calmed her shakiness and spoke as clearly as she could. 

"I am small," She began, swallowing her fear and continuing on, "But I am quite fast and agile. And I may not look like it but my bite is much worse than my bark. I can scent many wolves in your pack, and you appear very healthy, I am sure you have no trouble with hunting or fighting..." Her voice trailed off as she tried to piece together words. She appeared to think hard for a moment as if she wanted to continue but she struggled to find the words. She flicked her ears cautiously and spoke again.

"I've been alone for as long as I remember, I've done a lot of sneaking, hiding, and fighting. I know the thought process of a rogue and I know how to deal with them," She finally said, raising her head a little but keeping her gaze from meeting his. "I am good at planning and I can promise you I'm even better at executing those plans. I've done a lot of fighting solo, but I know that my fighting will improve with better training and with the partnership of others," She finally said, and then quickly spoke again. "I do not mean to come upon your pack and ask for a high rank, I would rather earn it, I just wish to tell you what I am capable of,"

It was seeming more and more likely to him that it was true she had been on her own. Though his features relaxed as she spoke, the perception he gleaned in her uncertainty lingered. Yet in spite of whatever social awkwardness could have been perceived to be there, she did hold steadfast to the confidence in her tone. That he could tolerate, because he hoped for an honest and earnest reply. And truthfully that was what he received. An indifferent snort left him as her words dropped off, and he looked her over with mild appraisal. She spoke of being a fighter, but in her ragged state he imagined she had avoided that very thing. Her appearance alone boasted of long travel, a clear attribution to the story she had so willingly gave up.

"It would seem you have a lot to learn, as all of us must earn our keep," he began loosely. Even he had to search for the words to say — Mordecai was not naturally a leading sort, at least not by his consideration. "But any pack can make use of those who are capable of defending. It is a good quality to have, more so if you are willing to own up to it when the need arises." He paused, reminded briefly of the original seed that had been planted in him to stay for a spell within the Wilds. If not for a chance meeting with Jinx in the forests of the wilderness in the west, he supposed he would not have come to the conclusion he was considering.

"Spar with me." It was a simple instruction, though he was careful to present it as an offer. A test, if nothing else. If she were capable as a fighter, he supposed even in her trodden state she was more than able to prove it. With a wave of his tail that he would mean no harm by it, Mordecai waited to see what she would do. If she would consent to it at all; perhaps her travel-worn state was more than just an outward appearance.

Ilya

The Alpha's words were exactly as she expected. They were vague, but neither condescending nor praising. He didn't seem as interested in her as she had hoped, but there was still a hint of interest in his bark that kept her hoping she would do something useful. 

Ilya's black ear's perked, a bit caught off guard. Perhaps she had expected something similar to occur, but perhaps not so early in the meeting. Uncertainty, but willingly, she dipped her head with respect. "If you wish," She responded quietly, shaking her fur off and letting out a quick breath to calm her nerves. She didn't wait for another response, the brute was already standing and was paying enough attention to her that she wouldn't attack out of nowhere. She would begin naturally and, playfully; if you will. She watched the brute quietly for a moment, careful not to create an image that she was superior to him and even more careful not to offend him, she was only trying to figure out how she would attack.

Obviously, Ilya was small. Her breed was among the smaller breeds and she weighed much less than the average, especially with the lack of food she had eaten recently. Mordecai wasn't extremely huge but was large for his breed and much larger in comparison. In her head, Ilya placed a few scenarios in her head based on how she thought he might react, but it was harder than she had hoped; pack wolves operate differently than lone wolves. She decided to leap at him, aiming high and ending low rather than on top of him. The idea, in her mind, was to not only catch him off guard style wise, but to possibly knock him off his feet to show the strength that she did have, even when in her weakest stage. The black fae took a few steps back to allow Mordecai and herself space, lowered herself, and gathered her haunches in an almost feline type manner. She closed her eyes for a moment, praying for all to go well, and sprang.

Her leap was nothing out of the ordinary, although it appeared as though she had been taught the move and had practiced it often- both fighting and hunting. With her best predicting judgement, she quickly angled herself downwards, hoping that the brute would aim his response upwards because she had leapt. 

If I'm not reading things right, just let me know! :D

As space grew between them, he instinctively prepared himself. There was a certain openness about the way he prepared himself however, as the distinction between what they were doing and what survival dictated as clear to him. He would not draw her blood intentionally and hoped the same of her. Though if it happened, it certainly happened. In their case, if it did, they were not without someone to tend to their wounds.

He studied her as she settled back onto her haunches, momentarily put off by the nonchalance that followed it. He assumed that she was preparing herself still, but was wrong when she suddenly leapt forward at him. He backed off immediately with surprise, but the collision of their bodies was still to happen; she crashed into him and he staggered, but was quick to respond by snapping after her in the ensuing chaos. It had been a long while since Mordecai had been engaged in any sort of spar, and well, the tactic she opened up with was not anticipated.

(Reading just fine! Please let me know if I do anything crazy / 'Godly' / or disrespectful :p I haven't role-played anything extremely realistic pack rank / roles wise lately so I'm a little out of shape here. Working on it. (: Also!! I apologize on the shortness of this post, I always feel bad elaborating too much as I feel as though I get carried away with battles... If that makes sense. )

Ilya

Pleased with her attack but still heavily on guard and now on the ground, she returned his snap with one of her own to his shoulder. She hadn't anticipated being on the ground but the weight distribution was not on her side, and her leap had caused him to stagger and her to hit the ground with a hard thud. His snap didn't seem aimed anywhere specific but she noted it with a fear that showed for only a second as she observed his massive jaws and pointed teeth. She attempted to roll from him but he had moved since she had first leapt and didn't have anywhere to escape to get back on her paws. She hoped her quick nip to his shoulder would suffice as distraction enough and scrambled to her paws quickly to avoid another blow, although she anticipated it with great anxiety as she was well aware of the Alpha's strength and capabilities. 

Aw, you're going great! Shorter posts are completely fine with me, actually. :3

The nip to his shoulder did just that, though the hiss of pain he made was mostly out of surprise. They had been keen to miss one another, but there also came a point when enough was simply enough. Even at that, Mordecai knew that he couldn't have always had the upper hand either. Sure, maybe he had put her in a tight spot but she was just as efficient at holding him at bay from making any sort of close.

Still, the space between them again was welcomed.

This time, he went on the offense. Not quite one to charge in headfirst, he skirted along the edges of their narrow sparring spot, eyes not leaving her once as he absently passed scant scenery. He shortened the gap between them by closing in a bit as he circled, though he could not readily discern where she may have had a blind spot. She was small and spry, no doubt watching him in the way that he watched her. But again, enough was enough, and he surged forward towards her left flank for a glancing blow.

( This is good! (: )

Ilya

Thankful for the few moments of rest to regain her balance and focus, Ilya watched him with careful eyes. It would be wrong to say that she knew his every move, but she could see it clearly in his eyes his actions; at least she hoped. She could sense the distance closing as he circled, but she didn't make any movements towards or away from him, any sudden movements and he may attack quicker than she would have anticipated. She knew, however, that he would charge, he wasn't pausing in his movements and he was eyeing her everywhere; clearly looking for a weak spot or a blind spot, perhaps. His muscles rippled as he moved and she watched them more than she did his expressions. It was right before he charged that she watched them tense and release in a surge forward and she had enough time to angle the blow just right, but the force and weight of the male still knocked her over as well as knocked the breath of her. 

She slid slightly when she hit the ground, gasping for breath as she scrambled to fight back. She scrambled and leapt for him, but as her own mistake and lack of processing she wasn't able to fully return the attack. She ended up shouldering his own shoulder and landing clumsily beside him, still struggling with the wind knocked out of her. She watched him, angry with herself, to see if he would make another move or speak.

They collided once again and the moment of impact made him rethink his own tactic. She went down easy, winded, and no doubt to him that it hurt more than just a smarting smack. While it hadn't quite been in his intention to go sweeping her off of her feet, it would have seemed that had become the outcome. Yet it did not seem to slow her for long, as she went in for one more blow in return. It was a just response that lacked power behind it. It was haphazard and left him with no time to regain his own footing from their initial collision.

And just like that, in a sense, it was promptly over. With both of them down for the count, he let out a breathy laugh and climbed to his feet. "Not bad," came his voice to follow. "Sorry for the rush there. Are you all right?" The inclination came to give her own her space and he did so, offering her a fair wave of his tail as he faced her once more.

Ilya

The fae raised her head slightly, smiling a little and feeling warmth run to her face from pride and a bit of embarrassment from the last attempt.

"You're fine," She murmured, lowering her head again and shifting her shoulders. She paused for a moment and thought, "I am also fine," She stated. "If I was a little stronger I would've taken it much better," she half-joked, half informed. "I'm sure I didn't," she then said, "but I didn't hurt you at all, did I? I know I came a little out of nowhere at first," She shifted her paws nervously but preferred this slightly less tense version of the brute than the one she had managed to offend once or twice upon their first meeting. She tried not to do anything to mess with the order again.

I'll go ahead and properly title Ilya. I'll let you wrap up the post with your reply though! :D

"No, no. At least nothing that won't heal," he replied. Bruises would be the worst of it, and bruises he could handle. "But I think it's safe to say that you've proven yourself, Ilya. As long as you're willing to commit, I think you would do well here." The ghost of a smile came and went across his face. She had said to be a capable warrior and he believed that. Perhaps had she not been so weary and nervous, she would have taught him a thing or two. Perhaps in time, she would.

"I'm Mordecai, by the way." And there seemed as good as any place to introduce himself. With a gesture for her to follow, he turned back towards the depths of the woodland beyond them. "How about we go find something to drink?"

Yay! Thank you! (: I'm so glad I didn't go with the flirtatious Ilya. Nervous, socially awkward, and curious Ilya is way more fun to role-play! xP

Ilya

"Thank you..." She murmured softly, feeling pride well in her chest but keeping quiet and low. She nodded, "It is nice to meet you," She responded, smiling now that she had been properly introduced and accepted. Part of her wished to ask him if she could meet the rest of the pack, or maybe view the packs territory borders, but she didn't wish to do anything crazy, so she simply nodded when he spoke again. "I would like that," She replied, and followed slightly behind him into the territory.