Wapun Meadow Filling out Papers

Snow was beginning to fall. It was her second year living through it, and her second year finding herself baffled by the sight of white flakes falling from the heavens.

In her mother's words however, the arrival of the snow meant that Hokulani would soon be a woman. No longer a child. She frowned at the thought.

Laying belly-up in the snow covered field, she let out a breath. Besides her meeting with Winter's Wake, she had found the valley to be rather boring. She awaited Reverie's call, Gossamer's sudden appearance, and yet nobody came for her.

Hokulani was not one to be ignored.

"Ah crap!"

Stepping lightly was never her forte, but she would swear that she was the best at everything. The hare had given her chase, a sight for hungry eyes that brought her to the meadow. But a solo hunt was something she never found success. It's a tiny lil' thing I can get that no problem Irene told herself, self motivation was something she had in excess. As her paws thundered through the top coat of the snow with a satisfying crunch, she allowed herself to get distracted once more.

Distraction was perhaps her fatal flaws and before catastrophe could strike, she almost missed the exposed stomach of another before her, causing Irene to veer left into a small accumulating pile of snow.

The sudden crunch of someone falling into the snow brought Hokulani out of her haze, and she was quick to hop to her feet.

Spotting the other's predicament she couldn't help but snicker. Did I interrupt a hunt? She could only presume as such, if they had been so focused.

Snow clung to her pelt as she viciously shook herself to be free of it. She treasured a clean pelt and snow had a tendency to make her carefully groomed hair spiral out of place.

"Well it wasn't much of a hunt really, was more like a race that I was outmatched for."

Smiling sheepishly, she looked at the other woman curiously.

"I hope I didn't disturb whatever it was you were doing."

She shook her head, following it with the shake of snow from her fur. Oh not at all, just idling. She hummed, her tail waving high.

She eyed the girl, curious of her from the entrance alone. What's your name?

Her tail waved lazily behind her as she responded, "My name is Irene, just Irene."

She never had a last name as she never knew who her parents were so for as long as she could remember, she was just Irene.

"And what do they call you?"

Hokulani. She responded, a light smile on her face. Confident and unthreatened, she moved forward to explore the scent of the stranger. And where have you come from malihini?

Seemingly polite questions, and yet the answer was far more revealing than most realized. It thrilled Hokulani, fulfilled her need to know more, the need for the upper hand.

Her head tilted, her wide-eyed, bright-eyed smile awaiting an answer.

Frostpine Highlands but that's pretty far from here, Irene said shyly, her inexperience in the new territory very apparent as she felt a twinge of regret from the memories that plagued her.

I hope I'm not intruding on your pack or anything like that, I am not a great fighter. She added quickly, realizing that she did not bother to see if there were others around.

Pack? She repeats, a clear and sweet giggle escaping her throat. No, I'm on my own - for now. She muses, noting the promise made by Wake.

Another step closer, her head leans forward. Now she's just plain invading Irene's space.

You're pretty, you know. Shimmering like the sun. Her eyes are squinted into a smile, head cocked slightly to stare into the face of the other.

Everyone likes to be complimented, surely. For Hokulani the unique reactions of each individual is the fun of it.

Id, ego and superego all seemed to work in tandem whenever she felt another striking it, Whispering all the words she convinced herself to believe about herself. So to have her take the compliment with stride was no difficult task as she let the words soak in like the summer sun.

So I have been told she responded coyly. But packless is a status unbecoming for me.

Seeing the other enter her space may cause others to squirm but Irene was one to bask in attention that she instead allowed herself to take a seat, a carefully practiced manner that now made her actions seem effortless, almost regeal even if her bloodline remained unknown.

She could see the way the pride seeped into the other. It put the wag into her own tail.

Is that so? She responds, shoulder bumping into the other's as she twists about, rubbing fur to her sides before laying next to her in the snow. You don't like that freedom? The question was a genuine one - Hokulani lost on what could be so horrible about the lack of a pack. She was quite enjoying it.

Irene’s ears flicked forward, catching Hokulani’s words, and a sly grin spread across her lips. Her tail gave a slow, deliberate wag, scattering a small spray of snow.  

Don’t I like freedom? she echoed, tilting her head as if in thought, though her expression betrayed her amusement. Oh, freedom’s fine. Lovely, even. But you know what’s better?

She shifted, stretching luxuriously in the snow, before she turned her gaze toward her with an almost lazy confidence. Being noticed. Having someone pay attention. Freedom’s fun, but it’s better when someone’s watching you enjoy it, don’t you think? 

Her enerald eyes seem to glow like the sole towering tree enduring the winter storm, and she let the silence stretch, as if daring Hokulani to agree—or disagree. Then she let out a soft laugh, light and airy. But maybe that’s just me, she said, her voice lilting as her tail swayed again, her posture exuding ease. What about you, huh? What makes pack life seem like the worst thing ever? 

She smiled, her gaze holding Hokulani’s, relishing the attention even as she turned the focus back onto her companion with practiced charm.

She listened with a watchful gaze, a smile holding on her lips. Well, I'm paying attention to you now. Isn't that something? A paw lifted to bat at Irene's cheek, thought it never did touch.

I don't dislike pack life, of course not. She responded, snickering at the mere suggestion of such a thing. I'm a social creature, it's a necessity. The matter of finding the right one is what makes things difficult. Though knowing herself, she was sure she would find some pretty wolf to chase into one.

She swelled with joy at the thought. It would make her mother proud if she could find someone like that.

Though, she supposed she would never be able to tell her mother.

Irene’s grin widened at Hokulani’s words, eyes flicking toward the raised paw, watching it hover close without touching. Paying attention to me, are you? Well, now that is something, she quipped, her voice dipping into a playful drawl. And here I thought you were all business, miss social creature.

She tilted her head slightly, her cheek brushing against the air where Hokulani’s paw had lingered, a deliberate motion that said she was enjoying the moment. Her tail flicked lazily behind her, scattering snow like punctuation to her words.  

The right pack, huh? Irene mused, her tone still teasing but with a note of curiosity now. That does sound tricky. Too much structure, you’re bored; too much chaos, you’re miserable. You’d need something perfect—something that lets you be, well… She smirked, gesturing vaguely with her muzzle. You.

Her gaze softened slightly as she studied Hokulani, catching the flicker of something unspoken in her companion’s expression. For a moment, Irene considered digging deeper, but she wasn’t the type to pry—at least not outright.

She was quick to nod. Right? You get it! Another giggle escaped her throat, Hokulani rolling to her side. The idea of having some grumpy old wolf telling me what to do kills me. It would drive me crazy. Hell, she's not sure she would be able to resist ripping them a new one after a while.

Companionship is the big sell. Gives me a reason to stay, you know? She wasn't one to be content with an idle life. Someone to control - that was what she needed.

At times she wondered if she herself would be a good pack leader; but the thought was brushed off quickly. Such a role would keep her far too grounded.

Irene chuckled, a low, melodic sound as she watched Hokulani roll onto her side, her energy infectious. Oh, I get it, she said, her golden eyes gleaming with amusement. Some grouchy wolf barking orders at you? Sounds like a recipe for disaster. You’d have the poor soul running for the hills before the first moonrise.

She shifted her weight, stretching her legs out in front of her and letting her tail curl lazily around her side. But companionship? Now that’s a good reason she agreed, her tone softening as her gaze flickered briefly to the snowy horizon. Someone who knows you, who lets you be yourself without trying to rein you in. I can see why you’d stick around for that. There was a soft tinge of sadness that clung to those words, a longing she dared to vocalize but one that crept into her steel boxed heart.

Her smirk returned, sharp and teasing, as she tilted her head toward Hokulani. Control, though? That’s the real kicker, isn’t it? Irene tapped a paw against the snow for emphasis, her grin widening. It makes all the good intentions seem wicked. Hard to find a pack who is at least honest when they are going to screw you over.

Her eyes squinted into a bright, knowing smile. Right. Nobody liked to be controlled, not when they knew it was happening. Gentle words and soft touches, that was the sort of manipulation that worked. I take it that you're not one to follow instructions so easily then? Head at a tilt, she stared up from where her head lay on the ground with half-lidded eyes.

I can see why; clearly you're a natural leader. She insisted. Her words kind, but they were not genuine even if they were spoken so. Hokulani did not believe in born leaders.

Carefully, rose-coloured eyes grazed over the treat sat in front of her. Gaze like needles prodding, she was attempting to absorb each and every bit of information she could be offered.

Irene's ears flicked back, a low chuckle rumbling from her chest as she glanced at Hokulani, a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. 

Leader, huh? She raised an eyebrow, her tone dripping with a mixture of amusement and skepticism. I might be good at getting people to listen, but I wouldn't call that 'leading'. Too much attention, too many responsibilities... that's a fast track to getting everyone on your back. Not really my style.

Her tail twitched, her focus shifting for a moment before she added, almost as an afterthought, I'm more about doing what feels right, not what others think is right.

A noble pursuit. She hummed, a grin settling on her muzzle. So what is it that you want to do then?

She was certainly curious. When they were done, where would Irene go? Would she venture far, or stay in the area? Would she find the pack that suited her, or perish in her pursuit.

Her thoughts were clouded by doe eyes, staring up and waiting for an answer.

Irene tilted her head at Hokulani’s question, the grin on her muzzle widening into something playful, but her emerald eyes carried a flicker of something deeper. What do I want to do? she echoed, as if the question itself were a novelty she hadn’t given much thought—or at least pretended not to.

Irene’s tail gave a slow, deliberate wag, scattering the snow around her. I’m not asking for much, she added, her voice softening slightly, though the wry humor remained. Just somewhere I can feel... valued. Not for what I can do, but for who I am. That’s not too much to hope for, right?

Her grin turned sly, and she shot Hokulani a sidelong glance. And if that pack just so happens to have a few wolves at my beck and call? Hanging on my every word, vying for my attention? She let the sentence dangle, her tone dripping with exaggerated mischief.

Her gaze lingered on Hokulani, the mask of lighthearted teasing cracking just enough to reveal the genuine longing underneath. But only for a moment. Then she laughed, shaking her head. What about you, huh? Or are you just out here collecting stories and breaking hearts?

Collecting stories and breaking hearts.. that certainly sounded like far more fun than what she was doing. I wish. She sighed, rather dramatically at that. I'm waiting to finish serving the purpose I came here for, and then maybe.

She paused momentarily, mind drifting. Well, unless something else pulls me away. After all, if that was to be her destiny who was she to deny it?

Irene’s emerald eyes gleamed with a mixture of intrigue and sharpness, her gaze fixed on the her. Serving a purpose, huh? she drawled, her voice carrying a teasing lilt. That sounds awfully noble. Or maybe just an excuse to stick around and see what happens next.

Her grin widened, but her gaze lingered, curious. Though... you don’t really seem the type to be still for long. Something tells me destiny’s gonna have to keep up with you.

The woman spoke as though she thought she knew her. It amused Hokulani, more than anything. Maybe you're right, but I suppose we can't be too sure just yet. Her tail thumped against the ground once more before she stood.

However, until then I have places to be. She mused, looking to the space ahead of them. Let's meet again, yes? The corners of her eyes narrowed into a smile as she looked back to Irene.

She was curious to see what would become of this woman.

Irene watched Hokulani rise, her emerald gaze following the movement with quiet intrigue. There was something about the woman—her calm confidence, the way she carried herself with an almost lyrical grace—that Irene couldn’t quite pin down. It stirred her curiosity, even if she wouldn’t admit it outright.  

Her tail gave a slow, deliberate flick, and a faint smirk tugged at her lips. Maybe, Irene replied, her voice tinged with a casual nonchalance that didn’t entirely mask her interest. If the winds bring us together again, I won’t complain.

As Hokulani’s narrowed eyes smiled back at her, Irene felt a flicker of something unfamiliar—anticipation, perhaps. I’ll be around, she added after a beat, her smirk softening into something more genuine. Don’t keep me waiting too long, yeah?

Irene's words were only offered a short-lived giggle. Darting forward rather suddenly to give her a lap to the cheek, she then turned and ran off.

There were places to be, and new wolves to see. It was only natural for her to move on; a necessary process.

Maybe one day when the scent was on the wind, she would see Irene again. Until then the woman's sunny coat would only be a speck in her mind as she watched the sun rise each morning.