Naaghai Lowlands Mist

It was night again, and Candle was afraid. She had never liked the dark. In solitude she found it particularly harrowing, and so the darkling coyote crept across the sands searching for one of her companions. She whined softly into the darkness, following their scents.

Whoever she found first would receive only a brief whine as a warning before Candle attempted to plant herself firmly underneath them. She was undemanding in her search for refuge, though trembling and quite desperate.

The bright desert sun had given way the the shadows of nightfall, and even Meridian's radiant coat was but a silhouette. She was a traveler, but her home would always be the arid lands, rather than the coast, mountains, or forests. In this world of many wolves, Meridian was glad to see a fellow coyote approach. The small canid's fur mirrored Meridian's darkest markings, and her fear was evident as she tried to take shelter under her with a soft whine. The russet coyote stepped back so the other could have a clear view of the stars. Do not be afraid, the sun will return by morning.

This was not one of her companions! Candle yelped in shock and fear, scrambling away from the stranger. Her confidence was growing but not so much, not enough for this. She called for @Sari, for @Zoug, for @Kusuma; any of them, all of them.

And the pale-eyed girl fell back, waiting for a familiar face to appear.

Meridian didn't know what she had done to startle her. She continued moving backwards slowly, giving the stranger space. She couldn't blame her for being jumpy, as there were much larger animals around, and caution was always a virtue. Candle called for reinforcements, and Meridian wondered if coyotes would really attack another. Perhaps she had trespassed, though she had not smelled any boundary markings. Meridian wagged her tail, hoping to appear more friendly.

S'ari's head jerked up at the call. Candle! The girl was lucky. S'ari was hunting relatively nearby, though it would still take her a few minutes at a hard run to reach her. She often at hunted at night, for it was easier than hunting in the hot desert sands under a scorching sun. Sometimes it was more difficult to catch prey, for she had to dig them out of their homes, but this was still easier than chasing a hare across paw-burning sand.

Not knowing exactly what was wrong, S'ari did not call out. She stayed as silent as possible, wanting to get a glimpse of what was possibly going on before being spotted. Soon, her body flying across the sand, she saw darker shapes among the dark of night, and smelled Candle. Nothing untoward seemed to be going on. The stranger was another coyote, who did not appear threatening. S'ari released one singular yip, to let the two know she was there.

Skippable for now!

She was so afraid — and then S'ari appeared, and Candle knew that she would be okay. She darted to the woman, pressing frantically to her side, whining and chattering anxious nonsense. For a moment she wondered where the others were.

Then she snaked around S'ari's form until it was between herself and the stranger, effectively hiding behind the woman. There she would stay until someone else arrived, someone she could convince to take her away from this stranger. Or until S'ari was done talking, as Candle assumed she would want to.

Meridian had unintentionally created a scene. Another coyote made their presence known with a yip, and so Meridian responded with a yap of her own, the meaning clear. I don't mean any harm. The frightened one ran to their companion, and Meridian wondered what could make a coyote so anxious. She was now outnumbered, but the new face didn't look aggressive, so she kept her fur flat, careful to look the same.

S'ari tried not to stumble too much as Candle came running at her and twisting her body around her own. She was unused to any coyote being so frightened; those in her home Tribe were often brave, boisterous, and bouncy, even when threatened. Hush, she said, though there was no bite in the word. Be still.

When Candle seemed to have settled herself, effectively trapping S'ari in place, she spoke to the stranger, who was simply standing there, looking a little confused. Do not let this one upset you. She is more sensitive than most. S'ari greets you. What shall she call you?

The dark woman appeared swiftly, her pelt nearly invisible in the dim light of night. She had heard her name, from the newest coyote among the tribe of these new lands. 

There was another, near Candle, who quickly scrambled behind S'ari. And there was... another coyote, a she-coyote by the smell of her, though Kusuma did not know for certain. A coyote can be one and insist on another. 

Does this one speak in words? her voice cut the darkness like rosemary, announcing her presence with flowering cactus flower petals.

S'ari greeted her with friendly words, and Meridian felt compelled to reply in a similar tone. Well, then I don't blame her. There are many wolves in these lands, more even close to the mountains and coast. Her last sentence was spoken in a hushed whisper, as if it would summon the larger canines if heard. Meridian had learned to interact with the crafters of howls, but she was keen of keeping this discussion to coyotes alone.

Another arrived, and yet again a coyote. Meridian started to wonder if this was the home of a resident pack. She was unsure of who their question was directed at, so she offered her name. Meridian.

S'ari grinned in the dark. Not all wolves bite, but many do. Yes, it is better for Coyotes to stick to Coyotes.

Kusuma appeared, then, and S'ari acknowledged her with a turning of the head. This is Kusuma, a member of the Tribe, as are we all, Meridian included. All Coyotes are Tribe. We have a settlement nearby, there. S'ari turned her head in the direction of the Verdigris Ravine. All Coyotes are welcome, as long as they don't plan to stir up trouble, no? Meridian may go there, or not. The choice is hers. But we will be there, or anywhere else in the Desert, if she wishes for company.

Here, she looked at Kusuma, to see if the other had anything to add.

Or no full coyot. Half coyot like Kusuma is good also. Tribekin is Tribekin. her words were paired with an unseen nod. She had nothing else to say, and the wind did not whisper danger in her ears or tickle her nose, so there was nothing she did. 

The woman stood there, ready to go back to the ravine, maybe hunt more rabbits for the Tribe.

Or sleep. Kusuma felt a little tired.

It seemed to Meridian that the coyotes had banded together. If so, she too was part of this Tribe they spoke of, a thought reinforced when S'ari spoke. I would love to see your home. I'm a traveler, but I'll stay awhile. Only one rule, no trouble makers. Meridian was not a malicious coyote, while she enjoyed an occasional harmless prank. Their request for a hassle free group seemed reasonable enough for her. No shenanigans? Sounds good to me.

S'ari gave a grin in the darkness, though she did not know if Meridian could see it. Good, then, she said. You follow S'ari. She will show the way. She took a step back--and forgot Candle was there. Stumbling a little, and burying her irritation, she untangled herself from her shadow as best she could. Come, Candle. All is well now. Meridian will not hurt you. She is Tribe, as are you. As are we all. With those words, she glanced kindly at Kusuma to see that she, too, was headed back, and trotted off for the Ravine.

Last from me!