A wolf named Belladonna

Tyrande padded down the forested mountainside, simply taking a stroll to loosen her muscles. She had not heard from Macawi yet, nor had Erika came to greet her in any fashion. And though it was a few days ago, her demotion in the pack ranks upset her. She was determined to climb back up in the ranks. By the Dim World, she wasn't going to be any rank lower than one of the upper tiers.

And so, the shade wolf walked. She was sniffing absent-mindedly when she came upon an all-too familiar sweet scent.

"Oh, ho ho," the shadow chuckled, "What irony..."

The wolf padded over to a tree. The tree had a vine growing on it, about six feet high. The vine contained dark, midnight-shade berries. The raven-colored she wolf admired the deceptively beautiful plant.

"Dearest sweet Belladonna plant," Tyrande began, "You seem a little too far from home... A. Belladonna. Also known as the Deadly Nightshade. Can cause symptoms that include dilated pupils, sensitivity to light, blurred vision, headaches, confusion and convulsions. Not-so-strange that I should be named after a plant like you, sister. Strange that your name also means 'fair lady', even though you were used to make a woman's eyes prettier."

The Wolf sat and stared at the plant, wondering what to do... If she left the plant, it had the possibility of spreading, and overgrowth of an extremely poisonous plant was not a good thing, even though the toxicologist knew what to do I the situation came, she'd prefer to nip the bloom while it's budding... And the fact that if Lecter knew about this plant... He insane wolf might wreck havoc on the wolves of Teekon...

After being accepted into the Silvertip Mountain pack and being given the rank Mu (she had no idea what that meant, besides the fact it was a lower rank on the pack totem poll), the mutilated wolf decided to explore the pack's territory. She had no intention on meeting any pack members yet, unless she ran into them during her little reconnaissance mission.

This endeavor of hers led her to a forested mountainside where conifers and deciduous trees alike dotted the rocky soil. There was something about mountains that thrilled her. The way the massive hills towered over to land and could be seen for possibly miles around was a beautiful testament to the power of nature. There were not many of these wonders where she was born, so her first experience with the behemoths was a breath of fresh air.

She had began walking through the forest when a voice drifted to her. It was spewing some facts about a plant, one by the name of Belladonna. She recognized the name, Nightshade, a plant her father always kept on hand for the pack, just in case the other packs became to power hungry. After a while, she slowly recognized the voice as well, Mademoiselle Tyrande, the peculiar healer of Silvertip Mountain. The sable-furred wolf recalled the shadow proposing to give a tour to her once she joined the pack. Well she did, and Erika was not one to forget promises.

"Bonjour, Mademoiselle." she approached the raven-hued wolf as she stared at a belladona vine. "I trust you are fairing well?"

Tyrande flicked her ears at the voice, recognizing it instantly, she turned to greet the Frenchwoman with her classic Cheshire cat-like grin.

"Ah, greetings Erika! Seeing as your here, you must've decided to join the pack! Great!

"I was just wondering what to do with this little bugger here," The shady charcoal-striped wolf tipped her nose to he plant. "I could just leave it be, but then there's a chance of it spreading, and trust me, these things are hardy, and they reproduce fast."

The toxicologist walked over to the plant. "But then again, it an be dead useful, so maybe I shouldn't kill it off... Hmm, what to do, what to do... Nightshade is quite a rare find, too..."

Erika's head tilted as she observed the belladonna plant entwined around the tree trunk. It was already six feet up the tree and had already blossomed. The nightshade was already matured and possibly ready to produce more of the deadly, yet beautiful plant.

"Per'aps we could some'ow control it's growth so zat it only grows on a few trees. Enough to 'ave a ready supply, but not enough to cull ze entire forest. Mon père was a 'erbalist as well. I 'ave 'eard 'im talking about zis many times before."

Her Cheshire Cat grin grew even larger. "Ah, so you know of this plant? Then you know how important it can be to a toxicologist such as me! Yes, I believe your right, we should keep an eye on this early bloomer." She looked satisfied when she checked the earth for fallen berries, finding none. "When the berries begin to fall, I should keep it clean so the seeds won't get everywhere."The smaller wolf went to the other side of the tree and marked it. After her inspection was complete, she had her full attention to Erika. "I assume you're here for your promised tour, correct?" Tyrande had not forgotten. "How 'bout we start with my den, hmm? We can have dinner there."

The maimed wolf nodded in agreement. Her golden eyes followed Tyrande as she walked around the tree. A bitter smell reached her nostrils; a sign that the raven-furred toxicologist marked the tree as her own.

When Tyrande walked back, she spoke to her. "I assume you're here for your promised tour, correct? How 'bout we start with my den, hmm? We can have dinner there." Erika gave a little nod. "It sounds like a plan. Let us get going, zen...."

"Follow me, then!" The smaller wolf padded to the base of the mountain.

Upon arrival, a few minutes later, they came across a large boulder. She motioned Erika to follow as Tyrande wandered around the side, disappearing into the earth. What seemed like a boulder leaning against the mountain was actually a secretive entrance to a large, circular chamber big enough to fit fifteen wolves.

The chamber had a small ledge to the right-hand side, where Tyrande's latest pottery was in the middle of completion. To the left, there seemed to be a smaller dent in the wall that was filled with comfortable small pelts, moss, and dried leaves that formed her bed. A little, mini cave-like formation next to her bed was filled with her clay pots of herbs, used for both painting her other clay projects and toxicology alike. In the back of the room was a small crevice, damp and dark where she stored her unused clay. Next to the crevice was a small mound of dirt. And the entire room was dimly lit with strange, glowing moss along the sides.

Tyrande padded over to the dirt and began to dig. She pulled up a dusty personal cache that was lined with salt rocks from the springs. She went to the back in the crevice, where there was a small splashing sound. She came back with clean meat.

"Make yourself comfortable," she said, setting down the skinned rabbit and fetching herself another one in her cache before covering it back up.

Erika followed the small black wolf down the mountain to the base where a large boulder lay. The wolf cocked an eyebrow before Tyrande motioned towards it and slipped behind the back. She followed and was greeting with a large chamber behind it, filled with more of Tyrande's buckets and herbs.

Tyrande went to the back of the cave and dogged for a while before reappearing with a rabbit in her jaws. "Make yourself comfortable" she said, setting it down and reaching to get another. The black wolf laid down near the center of the cave, looking around the cavern.

Tyrande settled right across from Erika. Not too close to make it uncomfortable, but not too far to make it awkward either.

"So," she began, "How does it look? I tried to make it seem as home-y as possible. I'm currently working on ways to decorate it and make it seem less empty... Maybe somewhere for guests to lay down, instead of on the floor, like what we're doing now..."

She gave the bigger female an apologetic glance. "Ah, I'm rambling. And before you ask, yes, I do get these roomy ideas from... from humans. They make the strangest ideas, but it works to make them live comfortably, no?... But you probably don't want to dwell on that, you wanted a tour. Well, here's my den!"

"For what you 'ave accomplished so far, it looks nice." Erika tried to reassure Tyrande. The smaller wolf seemed so worried about her den's appearance and which should go where and what should be here. To be honest, Erika would be the same way, the big aesthete she was.

The marred wolf blinked at the word human. It still unnerved her, even after more than a year. Tyrande was not using it in a negative manner however. She was explaining that she was influenced by the humans' way, their strange, peculiar way, of building dens. Erika relaxed a bit and smiled at Tyrande. "And it iz a lovely den, a good way of starting ze tour."

"Good..." Tyrande gave a relived huff that her den was up to par. For the next few minutes, they ate. When Tyrande was finished, she set the bones in the back, as if preserving them was a normal thing. She shook herself and looked at Erika.

"Ready?"

hope you don't mind, but when I post the actual tour part, I'm gonna be fast forwarding a bit, at least util we get to the caverns ;p

That's fine. :L

Erika tore into the carcass almost as if she was starving...which was almost true. Her ribs were showing after all. Despite her eating at a fast pace she finished after Tyrande who placed the bones of her meal in the back. Ready? she asked, looking expectantly at the marred wolf. Swallowing the last of the rabbit, Erika swept her tongue over her mouth and rose. "Ready."

They were off. Tyrande showed her the few streams that flowed down their territory. She showed her the rocky outcroppings and the forested base. She showed her the ashen, beginning-to-grow landscape of the extinct volcano. He even showed her he best places to hunt or to gather.

Finally, they arrived at the mouth of the caverns.

"Here we are!" the Nightshade said cheerily, "Our communal headquarters: Ghost Rock Network!"

The French-Canadian kept an alert eye on the landscape as they passed through the territory. It was very rocky and steep in some areas, while in others it was slopes and hills, most covered with green forests. A few streams ran through the territory as well. A part of the territory showed signs of renewal from ashfall, suggesting that a volcano once erupted here.

Finally, they reached the communal caves. Tyrande called it Ghost Rock Network, and it fit the name well. The caves looked particularly eerie with its crystals, glowling slightly in the dark. Erika sniffed, searching for a scent."Anyone in 'ere?"

The shade flicked her ear as her friend's voice echoed down the caverns. She looked in as far as she could.

"Don't hear anyone else... But we might come across someone... Let's go in. Watch your step, you might be blind for a few seconds."

Erika nodded at the lithe black wolf. Taking an unnecessary deep breath, she stepped into the cavern mouth. For a few moments she was enveloped in darkness, but then her eyes adjusted and the soft glow of crystals provided a small source of light. "Mon Dieu, que c'est beau." she whispered as she looked around at the lovely placement of crystals all around the cave.

Tyrande said nothing for a few minutes. The wolf commented in her own language but Tyrande didn't feel like now was the time to point out that she didn't understand a word she said.

The Nightshade looked up at the crystals as well. She looked back at Erika. "You know... I collect the shards that drop from these rocks from time to time. I like making my buckets and decorations with them. If you want, I could make a little something for your den."

Tyrande had lost track of the conversation long ago. At this point, she was just trying to keep it lively.

She was busy admiring the cave when she heard the Nightshade say something about collecting the crystals. Golden eyes studied the crystals curiously; they must have been hard as rock, how did she go about breaking them off? They shouldn't that hard then...

Erika sighed when Tyrande suggested making something for her den. "Well, ze problem iz, I don't 'ave a den as of yet." The maimed wolf was still to used to sleeping outside. She had not made a proper den in months, but now that she was invited into a pack, she needed to, right?

"Well, the base of the mountain offers good places, be it small caverns or holes made by a slanted tree. Until then though, you're more than welcome to stay in my den and out of the rain, if you want. Plenty of room." They padded through until they came to a fork, she pointed her nose right. "That leads straight on to a rocky ledge. Nice view, if you want to go look at it."

Erika smiled graciously at the toxicologist. "Why, zank you, Mademoiselle!" It would not be a long stay in Tyrande's den since she already found some spots to set up a den, but the offer was rather kind of the black wolf. Following her to a fork in the cave, the smell of the outdoors pervaded her nose. Tyrande said that the right tunnel lead to a ledge with a nice view, but Erika turned her attention to the left. "And what about zis one?"

"It leads deeper into the cave system. Some of our packmates den in there to stay close to pack meetings. It's... a good idea, I'll admit... But... I'm the black sheep of this family, so I don't really stay close..." she replied. She smiled shyly and looked down at the floor.

She looked at Erika. "Who knows? You might find the place you're looking for in there... So, which way do you want to go first?"

Erika peered into the darkness of the tunnel. Her nose twitched as she sniffed for the scent of her packmates. She had to go introduce herself to her pack soon, if they didn't run away from her face that is. The black wolf flicked an ear to Tyrande, who had admitted she was the black sheep of the pack. "If you are ze black sheep, zen what does zat make me?" she chuckled. "Zere's nothing wrong with being distant with your pack. At least you do it out of choice, not necessity."

The marred wolf looked back at the dark tunnel. "Non, I do not zink I will den in 'ere. It iz too far away from ze light and fresh air. I will try somewhere else."

I havent finished the thread where Sitri and I explore the caves :x

Tyrande nodded in understanding. She loved sunlight and nature of the forest. It's another reason why she had a den away from the others, neatly tucked away in the mountain.

"Erika. You could become a part of this pack better than I could. Sure, you have your unfortunate occurrence with the human- no offense, I'm just assuming that that's what you were talking about- but wolves can learn to look past a marred face, some wolves won't even give two bear scats about it. However, if your like me, a strange wolf who has literally been called a witch in the past, most wolves will shun you for your knowledge, or only come to you when they need it. And even if I don't have a mar like yours, my pelt still looks odd." she said, turning back and pointing to her odd, crescent-like birthmark.

I guess we could just assume that Sitri and Tyrande already finished exploring at the time of this thread. :L

Erika listened as Tyrande went on saying how she did not have it as bad as toxicologist. She was called a witch and was shunned by all. Worst of all (to her at least), she had a strange patterned pelt. "Yes, zat iz true, but at least you were not called a monster." she sighed. "And your pelt is not all zat odd looking, well not to me at least. At least yours looks interesting."

Tyrande chuckled drily. "Let us hope that the world will change, and wolves will not be so easy to discriminate one who's different, hmm?"

Maybe Erika had it worse, maybe she had it worse. A monster who's shunned for a face she couldn't help, or a witch with unnatural talents that everyone fears primally. It was kind of odd, and cruel.

The wolf marked with the moon looked up at Erika. So far, it seemed to Tyrande she was the only sane wolf around here, except for maybe Majesty or even Sitri... Sitri wasn't bad, in Tyrande's opinion. Just misguided.

"Would you like to finish exploring the caves, or would you prefer to go on a search for a den and have your own little exploration later?"