The sun had long set on Teekon, condemning the land to brilliant darkness as the moon fell prey to the all-consuming storm clouds. Though snow no longer fell— the flurry having died down to a more tolerable windchill— the high drifts left behind proved challenging to any beast; even to the onyx spider slinking tediously across the plateau.
Sikuaq trudged through powder nearly reaching his chest, ears loosely folded back to display his discomfort. But it was not the snow that harassed him. He was accustomed to such conditions, his dark frame plowing along without a break in his monotonous jaunt. Rather, he was haunted by his isolation; anxious because he was unused to being without Tartok, and because the feeling of singularity did not settle well onto his lean, thick-furred shoulders.
It had been a mistake, not going first to his sister. He had located her and those that followed, but had not made himself known, overeager as he was to return to them with something of use. He'd gone beyond Everfall, and clear across Tuktu, scoping the crowds in the area until he had reached a line of mountains that finally bade him to turn back. It had taken him two days returning, and every few miles he'd called for her, @Silaluk— praising her name unto all across the Hinterlands— in case she had ventured from the mountain. Howling so that she might know who had come to support her.
Sikuaq trudged through powder nearly reaching his chest, ears loosely folded back to display his discomfort. But it was not the snow that harassed him. He was accustomed to such conditions, his dark frame plowing along without a break in his monotonous jaunt. Rather, he was haunted by his isolation; anxious because he was unused to being without Tartok, and because the feeling of singularity did not settle well onto his lean, thick-furred shoulders.
It had been a mistake, not going first to his sister. He had located her and those that followed, but had not made himself known, overeager as he was to return to them with something of use. He'd gone beyond Everfall, and clear across Tuktu, scoping the crowds in the area until he had reached a line of mountains that finally bade him to turn back. It had taken him two days returning, and every few miles he'd called for her, @Silaluk— praising her name unto all across the Hinterlands— in case she had ventured from the mountain. Howling so that she might know who had come to support her.
December 10, 2016, 12:03 PM
(This post was last modified: December 10, 2016, 01:13 PM by Silaluk.)
19 degrees, scattered snow showers.
Silaluk moved with @Anuniaq, @Tugar, @Aklark, and a stray girl who she called Kadluk (@Thyri). The youngest that followed would survive if she was strong enough, but Silaluk had no qualms in her accompanying them so long as she did not get in the way. Thus far, the girl had done fine in this. It was in the previous territory, some many miles out, she had heard the cry of her brother, Sikuaq. She stilled for a moment, her ears erect and her body rigid as she listened again for it, unsure if it was the wind that cried. It came again, and Silaluk was certain, now. Her own head threw backward as she howled: Here I am, so he would know, now, he was found.
It was her own littermate that had followed her. Though often the cubs would separate and go their own way, Silaluk and Sikuaq had long ago established their own hierarchy together that would last no matter the distance. Snow began to fall as they moved from the Floodlands to the Plateau. The trail of their prey fortunately went this way. Silaluk wondered if her brother had come alone, or with others. Rarely did wolves go alone for the sake of accountability. One nearly always had their battle-buddy, though wolves more trusted were permitted to go their own way. It was advised to not—they could, as any wolf, perish alone. They were strongest together, but they were hardier than most even when independent.
Her wolves would surely soon establish their own pecking order. It seemed there was a tentative one in place, but this was always a shifting thing. The one certain thing was that among them, Silaluk was the head bitch; she was strong, and certain, and unafraid to throw her weight when necessary.
They traveled longer; the snow had stopped, but there in the distance was the wolf that had called to her. She was swift in closing the distance with her fellows, her tail high and her glacial eyes alight, pleased to see him.
It was her own littermate that had followed her. Though often the cubs would separate and go their own way, Silaluk and Sikuaq had long ago established their own hierarchy together that would last no matter the distance. Snow began to fall as they moved from the Floodlands to the Plateau. The trail of their prey fortunately went this way. Silaluk wondered if her brother had come alone, or with others. Rarely did wolves go alone for the sake of accountability. One nearly always had their battle-buddy, though wolves more trusted were permitted to go their own way. It was advised to not—they could, as any wolf, perish alone. They were strongest together, but they were hardier than most even when independent.
Her wolves would surely soon establish their own pecking order. It seemed there was a tentative one in place, but this was always a shifting thing. The one certain thing was that among them, Silaluk was the head bitch; she was strong, and certain, and unafraid to throw her weight when necessary.
They traveled longer; the snow had stopped, but there in the distance was the wolf that had called to her. She was swift in closing the distance with her fellows, her tail high and her glacial eyes alight, pleased to see him.
December 10, 2016, 04:22 PM
Sikuaq's pace quickened, eager to be shed of his loneliness when at last his sister's voice seemed to rise from the bedrock of the plateau. It was a reassuring sound, great and beckoning, touching his thoughts deeply and reminding him of the tide. In all its power. In all its bracing glory.
He was panting when they saw one another, warm air billowing around his long muzzle like volcanic fumes. His entire backside began to wag, paying little mind to her trailing companions as he began to hurdle over mounds of snow to reach her. He ducked his head and slowed only enough to keep from bowling into her, an ecstatic whine peeling from between his slick canines as he expressed his want for her lost affection.
Their relationship had never been a tenuous one; Silaluk had shown, as early as she could, her desire to be in control, and Sikuaq had never once thought to try and best her. He lived for her, more than he lived for himself, and when she had left Tartok, giving him a chance to become something on his own, he had chosen instead to follow— albeit belatedly. Even leaving his own "battle-buddy" behind.
He was taller, but a consistent hunch had leveled him with her, and he certainly did not carry his sister's heft. He turned his side to her, presenting the black sovereign with the scents of the three packs he had crossed in Tuktu; the trails he had tediously dragged himself along, so that he might have something useful to offer Silaluk upon greeting her.
He was panting when they saw one another, warm air billowing around his long muzzle like volcanic fumes. His entire backside began to wag, paying little mind to her trailing companions as he began to hurdle over mounds of snow to reach her. He ducked his head and slowed only enough to keep from bowling into her, an ecstatic whine peeling from between his slick canines as he expressed his want for her lost affection.
Their relationship had never been a tenuous one; Silaluk had shown, as early as she could, her desire to be in control, and Sikuaq had never once thought to try and best her. He lived for her, more than he lived for himself, and when she had left Tartok, giving him a chance to become something on his own, he had chosen instead to follow— albeit belatedly. Even leaving his own "battle-buddy" behind.
He was taller, but a consistent hunch had leveled him with her, and he certainly did not carry his sister's heft. He turned his side to her, presenting the black sovereign with the scents of the three packs he had crossed in Tuktu; the trails he had tediously dragged himself along, so that he might have something useful to offer Silaluk upon greeting her.
December 12, 2016, 02:54 PM
He held a myriad of scents upon him, one that she had recognized in passing, though not by name, and others that she had not yet made it to. The intelligence was invaluable, and she chuffed appreciatively. Sikuaq held himself well alongside her, though she felt the instinctive need to (attempt to) grab his muzzle gently to remind him as so much time had passed. The way she did so was gentle enough, and she would not bite down as she did this; should he have permitted it, Silaluk would have released swiftly, growling fondly before inviting him to smell the things that he had missed in his absence. The other wolves with her were closing in to greet him, though there was no doubt they would receive him well, as she had.
SMOL POST I SORRY
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