Phantom Hollow Sneaky Sneak

Scout thread. Anyone's welcome to jump in.

On quiet, cautious paws Mitanni walked through the forest, just within the border and looking out. This had been the last place she'd seen Cogitemus before he'd disappeared, and she wondered if he'd left some trail behind. It surprised her that he'd go without saying anything, especially given his relationship to Malice, but maybe they hadn't known him as well as they'd thought.

The seed of doubt planted by that contemplation wasn't enough to deter her from the path he'd nudged her on though. It had been his idea that she'd be a good fit for ranging, and after giving it thought Mitanni agreed. But Moonlit Hills was still new, and now without one of their alphas. They needed all members home to protect their claim, even if she wasn't technically fit to protect anything.

But that didn't mean she couldn't practice a little. She couldn't presently justify leaving the pack lands, but she was free to wander the border--patrolling technically--and could attempt to do so sneakily. Her amber eyes watched her feet about as much as they watched the border, carefully picking the placement of her paws to minimize noise, and she thought she was doing well so far. She'd just need to keep up at it.

Hope you don't mind him sneaking in here

Judas caught the scent, among other scents. Yet he recognized it. And if there was one thing that always remained over time, it was memory. Yes, the scent did belong to her. The first he met near this territory. How funny, that someone she had met as a loner was to come out of nowhere as a pack mate. How very odd indeed it would be if he just happened to walk right up behind her.

He crouched low to the ground, prowling closer and closer. Her fur colour made his eyes strain to find her through the dark forest, so he instead put trust into his nose. In a matter of moments, he was behind her. Not wanting to give away he had joined, besides the smell of the pack on him, he chuffed. And rather loudly. "Not a safe choice to be so close to the border alone, don't you think?" he asked, his tail swaying with delight as he imagined her reaction with a grin.

Don't mind at all, sneak away.

Her attention was focused solely on sneaking as quietly as she could, but while she thought she was doing a halfway decent job of moving about stealthily her mind was loudly at work. Because of it, the chuff that sounded behind her, much too close for having thought herself alone, made Mitanni jump visibly in place and spin around to see who it was that had sneaked up on her.

"Judas!" His name fell from her lips in a rush, and right on the heels of the sudden relief she felt--he was, after all, a part of her pack now--came the familiar uneasiness she recalled from their previous interaction. As she remembered, he hadn't done anything untoward to her or outright threatening, and she supposed she'd have to get used to him now if he was a member of Moonlit Hills. Maybe he'd actually come this way because of the information she'd shared with him.

The question he posed struck her as somewhat teasing, though she couldn't help the subtle underlying threat she read in it. Was her paranoia that bad? "Maybe on the other side, but I'm safe here," she answered. Or at least she should be. This was the pack's side of the border, where her chosen allies were gathered to defend what was theirs. Mitanni hoped that included her too.

"How long have you been here?" The question slipped out almost without thought, her curiosity great on this matter.

Judas nodded his head the mention of his name. He enjoyed it when they spoke his name. Though mostly out of fear. Still, he could get used to it being mentioned in other ways, such as in a friendly manner or surprised. "And you I do not know!" He replied in a friendly, yet teasing manner. "It's a nice forest you have yourselves living in..And I can see the spooky side of it." He said the 'spooky' the same way as when they had last met.

"Indeed. Many strangers who would love to tear into someone" he said with a grin. What a way to let the other side of you, you fool! he thought to himself as he mentally kicked himself. "But I'm no guy like that. Though I have come across few" he added, keeping the pace he spoke in with no rush. He had to keep his composure. He let his gaze go off in another direction, observing something in the distance. But really, it was just cause it was a habit while he talked. 

He kept his head to where he looked as he answer her question, shrugging first. "Perhaps two weeks, maybe more." Judas let the corner of his eye move onto her, observing her instead. "You were certainly right about this place." Truly, it was spooky as she had said upon their first meeting. And to his liking.

Mitanni smiled, albeit a bit guiltily, when Judas pointed out he didn't know her name. Maybe it was about time she fixed that, especially since he was now a part of Moonlit Hills. But rather than interrupt him, the black and brown female let him speak, falling into her natural role as the listener while he commented on the spooky state of the forest. Apparently he remembered the details of their previous conversation well, and it amused her enough to draw out a quick smile.

She was starting to remember where her uneasiness stemmed from the more Judas spoke. Surely he didn't meant to frighten her with his wording, but it still managed to have that effect, adding that subtle threat that could be drawn from his warning. Malice trusts him, she thought, which meant she needed to trust him too. He couldn't be all that bad if he'd been let into the pack, and to distract from her thoughts, Mitanni answered, "I've been lucky not to run into them." She just hoped her luck would hold out.

He didn't look at her but looked off into the distance, striking her as distracted, while he mentioned being there for a few weeks. It must have been a large forest for her not to have found him accidentally before the meeting. She shook her head slightly, though noting his obvious pleasure in the location, she commented, "I didn't think you were interested in packs." It could have been that her first impression of him had been wrong. "I'm Mitanni, by the way. Mitanni Anath." And now he'd have some proper to call her.

How lucky was he. She did not seem to even flinch at those devious words. Though her smile gave him some kind of feeling he wasn't used to. A warm feeling. He quickly turned his gaze away. The wolf in him had started to come out, showing more friendliness than he had originally intended. And if he were to get too close to a wolf, all his plans would be for nothing. Everything he had done, for nothing.

He gave a light-hearted chuckle to her reaction, as if taking it as a joke. He actually found it funny, not pretending to find the it funny. His tail swayed a bit in tune to his chuckling, halting when he stopped. "That's good. No telling what they would do, especially to a young lady such as yourself" he said, activating his charm. It was his best way to gain trust, using such charm.

He shook his head. "Originally, I was not. But, I gave it some thought. Then your alpha, Malice came across me. I offered my services. And now, here I am" he finished with a grin. Thinking about his choice, he did not regret it. Not one bit. Yes, it seemed unlike something he would do. But it was all for the greater good.

He looked away, as if trying to hide the amusement he took from her statement and the chuckle that came with it, but it did no good. Mitanni saw and heard both, and though she didn't quite understand why it was so funny she did feel she had a better idea the dangers she would face if confronted by those unsavory individuals. "Nothing good, I'd imagine," she answered simply, realizing very quickly that she didn't want to think too hard about it.

Judas explained what had transpired to bring him here, a combination of his own decision and Malice happening upon him. Similar to me then, she realized, and nodded her head in understanding. "Malice got me too," the mottled wolf responded with a little smile, "she's not a half bad leader." She couldn't presently say the same about the alpha's missing mate, but she felt there was more to that story than she'd ever find out.

She shifted her weight a little where she stood, and giving in to curiosity she tilted her head and asked with a inquisitive little smile, "How you liking it so far?" He didn't strike as the pack type, but then again she didn't know him all that well. Maybe she could learn something more.

The mention of what such wolves would do sent shivers up the lithe half-breed's spine, large enough to notice. The most recent was that large one that had come up to him with not a single hello, baring teeth right away. Not a great experience.

Judas mused over how naive many wolves were. Indeed this 'Malice' was a good leader, as this pack did not seem out of whack and all over the place. No, this pack felt organized. Still, she had accepted his offer with nothing more than an invitation. No warnings. Though the male had. And with him gone, things were about to get a whole lot smoother. His tail gave a flick as he thought back to that, a grin appearing. "That she is. A fine leader."

Judas finally looked upon Mitanni again, keeping the smile and even his eyes seemed to smile. "It's fine. The forest gives much cover, and supplies an abundance of prey such as rabbits and other small creatures that would satisfy ones taste." He cocked his head a little, a sudden idea coming to mind. If he was to stay, he was going to have to up his standing in the pack. "Say, what kind of 'work' does this pack need?"

She saw the shiver that male gave, though she only chalked it up to being a reaction from their topic. It was sort of unsettling to consider the darker aspects of life and what could happen to someone if they ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time. She hoped never to be there, and from the look of things Mitanni assumed Judas was in agreement.

The green-eyed wolf readily admitted that Malice was a good leader, and he seemed to have good things to say about the forest as well. Mitanni's amber eyes wandered up and around them as he mentioned the cover provided to them, the abundant supply of food. It had all of that, she knew, and still far too many shadows for her taste. "You really sell it when you say it like that," she joked, smirking as she shifted her gaze back to him.

As he asked about work, she drew in a breath and tried to think of a good answer. "Well, I think most everyone are fighters," Mitanni explained, "or at least that's what it looks like. We have one wolf--just temporary--who's acting as a healer, and another who's taken an interest in spying." Mitanni was most curious about this last one, Renn, though she hadn't gotten a chance to speak with the young wolf yet.

"You can't really go wrong with hunting though. And I'm going to work on ranging, learning the territories around here." That was her hope anyway. "I was trying to work on my sneaking before you showed up. I figured it could come in handy if I need to while I'm ranging." She paused for a second, narrowed her eyes a little, and made herself ask, "How was I doing?"

The shiver gave nothing off on the female. Good thing this one was not too curious for their own good, or they would be a threat. Those he aimed to take out first. Though for now, none had presented themselves as a threat...Well, except for the herbalist one. Perhaps his enjoyment of using herbs could get him and her closer, to rid any suspicion. He would have to work on that sometime later.

He gave another light-hearted chuckle before thinking up his own response. He turned his head away again, having a wry smile splayed out on his muzzle. "Well, you did give a very informative picture about it with your words, last we met...A spooky picture." Just that one word gave him comfort. For what others found to be spooky, he found to be perfect for him.

He listened intently, sitting on his haunches guessing there would be no reason to run at all. This wolf seemed like no trouble at all. His gaze remained on her, watching her mouth as if seeing the words themselves. Of all those things, he certainly was no fighter. Though a spy, that could help. Gaining information about other packs would he set these Wilds ablaze. 

He chuffed in amusement at her question in the end. "You were doing quite well, but you were only focusing on what was ahead." He stood once more. If he was to get more out of this 'friendship', and rid all suspicion, perhaps pointers would help. "To sneak successfully, you must be aware of everything. How do you think I snuck up on you so easily?" he finished with a wry grin, his tail swaying to show his amusement.

Spooky. Even now it seemed a perfect description of the wood, though she hoped the nicer weather that was sure to come along with the season change would brighten the place up a bit. It would make living here just a little less unsettling.

She received a small compliment, one that caused her smile to brighten just a fraction as she let it sink in, but it was obvious she needed work. She'd been inattentive to her surroundings, something that wouldn't do for sneaking. As Judas said, Mitanni needed to be completely aware of her surroundings, including things in front and behind her. Well, at least he's honest. She knew what she needed to work on now.

Though the thought quickly managed to bring about an easy solution to her problem. He grinned, teasing in a way, and the mottled black and brown wolf chuckled through her own returning smirk. "Okay, fair point," she admitted, "You got me pretty good." Too good, really. She had a decent amount of work to do.

"Since you're so good at it, maybe you could give me some pointers?" It was possibly a bold request, but the little female was starting to grow more comfortable around this new pack member. And since he obviously knew how to sneak around, Mitanni thought who better to teach her the trade that someone who had proven their skill in it? Her brows rose in question over her amused amber eyes, silently daring him to accept the challenge.

Judas nodded. If he had gotten closer, she would have probably turned nose-to-nose. How awkward that would have been. He would have had to just kill her on the spot so no one could speak of it before she could kill him for the same reason. He knew how that would go. With him on the ground, and later under the surface.

He nodded once more. "I will give you pointers..But I want something in return." He paused, thinking about what he needed. And decided on the one he needed most of all. Information on the pack. His tail wagged in eagerness at his idea. His face turned serious, the smile flashing away. "I want to know about everyone in the pack. To help me get along." He closed the distance so his eyes stared right at hers. "Can you do that for me?"

As he agreed to offer her sneaking advice, Mitanni felt a bit giddy inside. It always thrilled her to no end to learn something new, and since this was something she wanted to be especially good at having someone offer pointers was sure to help. Wanting to keep her feelings of enthusiasm under wraps, however, she only allowed her smirk to brighten a small bit, just enough to signify her victory on the matter.

But of course it didn't come without conditions. Judas was smart like that, and in exchange for helping her he asked for information. That in and of itself might not have spooked her, but the sudden seriousness with which he said it did. Mitanni understood that knowing ones pack was important, but was it so important it could take the fun out of something?

Her own smile slipped up and slipped away, her expression becoming serious too and puzzled. "Can't say I know much," she admitted, "but I can tell you what I do." Would that be enough? It felt like a sorry exchange, even to her. The lithe little wolf worried that she'd be denied, but she held onto the hope that Judas could be swayed.

Judas instantly regretted giving the demand in such a way that would cause anyone to worry or be scared. Her smile vanishing was proof of the unease she felt. He withdrew, taking a couple of paces back. "I tend to take things like that seriously" he admitted in an apologetic way. All part of a facade. He shrugged at her answer. It would have to do. "Very well. What do you do?" Judas asked with genuine interest.

After receiving whatever answer was to come, he went to immediately giving her pointers. From what he saw, she knew the basics of keeping one's self hidden. He had some trouble initially seeking her out. Her main problem was scent. "First, you will need to mask your scent. There are many ways, some of them unsavory. Once you mask that you should have no problem being found." An evil thought appeared in his mind of getting her to demonstrate with a certain unsavory camouflage. But decided against it. No matter how much he wanted to see a wolf roll around in dung. "Then you must focus on your surroundings. Every sound, every smell could present itself as dangerous."

The green-eyed male quickly tried to fix the uneasiness he'd created in her, and Mitanni relaxed as he stepped away with a guilty look. She nodded her head understandingly as he explained himself, able to comprehend why such information would be important. If she'd been given the opportunity to learn about the others when she'd decided to join, the mottled brown female felt sure she would have taken it too. Maybe she should have been more inquisitive about them.

Given the go ahead to explain what she knew, the lithe wolf decided to start from the top. "I'm not sure how much you know about Malice, but we've established she's a good leader. She's one of our fighters too, as are Sage and Issun if I remember right. I haven't talked to her about Cogitemus leaving, but I'd guess that's weighing on her mind." Though if she thought about it, Malice was doing fairly well carrying on without him.

She shook her head slightly before continuing. "Most of the pack are young, but they're strong. Issun and Sage seem to have taken a liking to each other too," Mitanni remarked, recalling their sleeping arrangement preferences stated at the meeting the pack had regarding den buddies. "There's Veritas, our temporary healer," she went on, her expression darkening just faintly. "She's sort of full of herself, and doesn't really respect anyone. I don't know why Malice keeps her around." Mitanni knew she was skilled, but otherwise the healer irked her.

"I guess that's all. I haven't gone out of my way to really talk with anyone yet," she admitted, and there was no wait at all for her lesson to begin. Ears perked atop her head, Mitanni stood attentively while Judas spoke of masking her scent and being mindful of her surroundings. They sounded like simple enough instructions, but if they were that easy she was sure she wouldn't have needed to ask him about them. "You want to walk with me and demonstrate? I've still got a bit of my patrol left." She needed the practice, and if he was at all willing to help she was determined to ask.

Judas watched in interest as the brown-black wolf went on about members of the pack. He took each into account, starting with the largest threats. Three fighters, the first being the alpha and another being the beta. I remember her name mentioned. She went on about the two other fighters besides the alpha having taken a liking to each other. He could certainly use that to his advantage, when the time comes.

The name of the healer burned into his mind. He already knew who that was. "Ah yes, the healer. I had a special welcome from her upon arrival." The itching sensation he imagined, sending a minor chill along his muzzle. If he could have it his way, he would find out everything about her first. Everything. He hated when a wolf made a mockery of him. Then an idea flashed across his mind. One he would save for later with this added information. He was most certainly surprised by the amount of members, having expected more.

Indeed, Judas was a wolf-hater. Though he was also a man of his word. He just tended to twist those words around. "Very well. First, we must find a water source. If you know of one, please. Lead the way." Since he was demonstrating, he was not, ever, demonstrating in dung. He readied himself and stood on all fours, ready to follow.

The mottled brown and black wolf couldn't fathom what Judas meant by a "special welcome," but knowing it was Veritas she had to assume it was nothing good. Good thing I joined when I did, Mitanni mused with relief. She wouldn't have liked being on the receiving end of the healer's warm welcome to the pack. It seemed a wonder to her then that Judas had joined at all.

She hadn't been sure the green-eyed male would agree to show her exactly what she should be doing, but when he did her amber eyes lit up. Good! She needed the practice, needed any help she could get to perfect her skill, and with Judas on her side she was one step closer to becoming a Ranger and finally feeling like a full asset to the pack. "Of course," she agreed to locating water, nodding her head in agreement and understanding, and without another word she turned and strode into the Hollow.

Moving at an easy trot, Mitanni guided Judas toward the river that cut through the forest and acted as the pack's main source of water. The distance was relatively short, so they arrived in due time. The petite wolf slowed and stopped beside it, still feet from the edge, and watched the water a moment before redirecting her attention to Judas expectantly. "Water, like you asked," she stated, stamping down her impatience to learn. Judas would teach her, he'd said he would, but only at his pace.

Judas couldn't help but feel joy deep down when her eyes lit up. Ad none of that feeling he enjoyed himself. That very feeling he wanted to tear out of himself, tear out what caused it. Because along with the feeling of joy would come many others. He would only keep those that would drive him onwards on his goal. Still, he did not repress the smirk showing the joy. To stay in character, as she led the way.

They soon came upon a body of water. The size did not matter, only the outer edges. Observing the edge, Judas found it lucky the edge was not sand, yet mud. He sent a gaze with the look a teacher would have giving a lecture. "Mud. For someone with your pelt, mud is the perfect camouflage" he explained, flicking some up before her. Where it landed, he didn't pay attention long enough to see. "Not only that, but it would also help mask your scent. Like I said, the perfect camouflage." Before saying another word, he lowered himself into the ground and began to roll around, slicking down his fur with mud, the wet mushy substance blended with his pelt the best it could. All for the purpose of gaining one's trust.

Mitanni watched closely as Judas strolled to the edge of the river, trying to anticipate what he would do. She half expected him to walk right into it, for whatever help the water alone would do for his scent, but he had other ideas. Mud. Her amber eyes lowered to stare at the riverbank with a peculiar intrigue as she considered this new insight. She'd never tried using mud to hide herself before, but he did have a point. It was perfect for her coat.

Trusting in Judas' judgment, and because he was already beginning to sink and roll into the mud himself, the lithe little female stepped forward. The mud squished between her toes, covered her paws as she kneaded them in, and as she laid down in it and rolled it coated her sides and back. She couldn't exactly see her handiwork, but she still tried to look over herself as she finally rose, feeling the weight of the mud settled about her body.

She blinked, grateful none of it had gotten too close to her eyes, and turned to Judas to ask, "How's this?"

After Judas was done himself, parts of him seemed to melt in with the ground. Just parts, since he wasn't exactly a mud brown underneath, but a tan brown. But it did go to show that the camouflage worked as he remained lying down in the mud. Remaining still as possible to test it out, and it was also instinct for him to stay still when covered in camouflage.

When Mitanni asked him for his insight, he moved his eyes instead of his head, scanning her over. If he had been looking down, she would just not be there for him. And then an idea struck him. From experience, one of the best ways to make a friendship was to have fun once in awhile. A grin plastered across his muzzle before disappearing in a second. The male wolf started to whip his head around with a confused look on his face. "Where'd that voice come from? Is that you, Mitanni?" he asked to the empty air beside him.

Huh, Mitanni wondered as she looked at Judas were he lay in the mud. There was evidence enough that his tactic was sound and worked well. Despite his fur being lighter than her own, the mud managed to break up the pattern of his coat and allow him to more easily blend in with his surroundings. If it worked so well on him, the mottled black and brown female had to assume it worked just as well on her.

Or maybe too well. Rather than state that her mud mask was decent, the green-eyed male jested and pretended not to see her at all. Her lips twitched and curved into an amused grin as Judas looked around him and spoke at random to the air, fully committing to his act. It was silly to watch, and even funnier coming from him. He'd struck her as a serious individual, but maybe she'd read him wrong.

"Jeez, I must be a natural if you can't see me," she joked back, her voice smug as she stepped away from the riverbank and just out of the mud. "Maybe I don't need your help after all." It was an outright lie--whether or not she needed it, Mitanni wanted all the help she could get. But because he had started the game, she wanted to jump in and play it.

Judas just can't take a joke that ain't his

His plan worked all too well for his liking as the other half of his personality started rising up. Judas felt a chuckle come up at his own antics, but then she spoke. And his serious side kicked in again. He cocked his head to the side, eyeing her with a raised brow. That certainly surprised him. The tan wolf did not see through her ploy, and stood up abruptly.

"Very well. If that's what you want, then go ahead why don't you?" he suggested with a slightly grumpy look on his face. Truthfully, part of him was upset. That side was starting to take over. Quickly turning his face as it became a pout, he twisted it to his serious face. "I already have what I want, and you have what you want."

She awaited further jokes, maybe even for him to claim her apparent success on his own handiwork, but instead it went right over his head. The act he'd been putting on was suddenly gone, and from where she stood he even looked surprised. Mitanni hesitated, watching him. He didn't honestly believe what she was saying, did he?

Oh, but he did. The teasing smile on her face dimmed and slowly slid away, surprise of her own mingled with worry taking its place. He couldn't give up on her lesson now. She hadn't learned enough! She hadn't even really gotten to test this mud mask he'd shown her.

Hesitating a moment, half hoping it was still only more acting, Mitanni spoke up earnestly, "I was only joking, Judas. I thought that's what we were doing." Obviously she'd read the situation wrong, and it had almost cost her valuable knowledge. "You'll...still teach me, right?" Nervous now, she watched him, hoping she hadn't offended him to the point she'd lost her chance. She'd be kicking herself for days if she had.

Judas huffed under his breath, muttering indistinct words while shaking his head at himself. How did he get himself into this? By doing this, he'd be getting too close that when the time came to execute the master plan, he would not have the strength to do it. Or they would know too much about him that they would combat him. Finally, he came to a decision.

He scuffed a paw against the ground. "Fine. We will work on your ability to tune into your surroundings. Know what's close without focusing entirely on sight and smell. You must use your ears as well...And no more jokes. Apologies on my part" he finished, turning away. "Close your eyes. Count to twenty. Then, seek me out. Before I get to you." With that, he began to melt away into the background.

I think a dice roll might be best for this bit

Mitanni held perfectly still, silently and nervously expecting Judas to walk away. She'd messed up somehow, and there was very little reason for him to help her if he didn't want to anymore. It was only for her benefit, at least the way she saw it, especially given the fact he'd learned what he wanted to before he'd begun to teach her about camouflage.

She couldn't read his thoughts and was honestly surprised when he decided to stay, sighing in relief as she relaxed. Coated in mud and ready for the next bit of their lesson, the black and brown female remained quiet as Judas explained what she needed to do. His unexpected apology caught her off guard, and blinking her amber eyes Mitanni added, "Mine too." She'd fed into the jokes, which she felt gave her some of the blame.  

As he instructed, the little wolf closed her eyes and began to count in her head. One, two three... All she had to do was find him, right? Eight, nine, ten... His fur didn't even blend in entirely with the mud like hers did. Fourteen, fifteen, sixteen... She'd be able to do this, no problem.

"Twenty." Saying the final number aloud, Mitanni opened her eyes and surveyed her surroundings. There was no clear sign of Judas or which direction he'd gone in, but she replayed his advice through her mind. Use your senses. Focus.

Sinking into a sneaking crouch, she stepped gingerly but swiftly forward, attempting to quietly slip out of sight where she'd be harder to see among the trees. As for finding her lesson instructor, she sniffed silently at the air, testing for his scent, and picking it up began to follow in the hopes she was on his trail and not following the path they'd taken to the river.

Rolled two dice, one for whether her stealth was successful (it was) and one for tracking Judas (it failed).