( IC Joining ) snow phantom

Always she had a purpose, a knowing where she belonged. It had come easy to her, and yet everything living as a temporary longer had proved quite difficult. Prey had to be small, without others to assist. No one was nearby to converse with, alone she had no friends. But the wolfess was most troubled by her own lack of focus, why in the most needing of situations did it all become unclear? Survival was top priority, and yet for some reason her mind always wandered back to pack life. A yearning, it was necessary to fulfill. This was why she began the trek.

From her makeshift resting spot young Aurelie traveled far away, searching for the scent of a group. And the first thing the fem noticed were the rising mountains, piercing the sky and above. Circled in a wring of clouds, it's loyal barrier. Due to this near to where the tip would be everything faded, she could not see the rest of the giant. A pyramid taunting her, but it was not worth the upwards battle. With only the want to sight-see it was not important, simply a waste of energy. But still, it was so appealing. However her aching muscles reminded her to thing rationally.

When the border was found, she quickly backed up a good ten paces. With a sigh of wariness the alabaster creature seated herself quietly, a relief to her limbs. Finally finding the strength she would throw her head back, a smooth howl escaping her lips. It was strong, yet edged with tiredness. This was it, a chance at a new beginning. But as a flutter started in her chest and worries flooded in the opportunity felt more like an end. So she retaliated with happy thoughts, pleasant memories. But they only brought the recent ones, and those encouraged her worry.
@Njal

The howl came as a mild surprise to the Alpha as he was busy finding a route down the mountain. It died away upon the wind, however, he made sure to note which direction it came from - and when he found himself closer to the base of the cliffs, he took off at a run. In the time it took for Njal to reach the edge of the territory, the stranger could've easily run off. They could've snuck deeper in to the land as well, but he assumed by the forthright manner with which they alerted the residents, that was not the plan. He half expected to find Tyrr or Danica, or another potential Warden, guarding the stranger's position. A quick look around from his vantage point in the forest told him otherwise; it was just him, and a pale figure in the distance.

For a moment Njal thought it might have been Bazi. To think that the girl had passed on her responsibilities and fled to the north filled him with a mixture of emotions; a notable sense of surprise, even apprehension. But the closer he got, the more obvious it became that this was not Bazi. Northern, yes. Pale and covered in a thick pelt, but not as small as the Swiftcurrent female. Njal emerged from a deep patch of shadows and let out a low boom of a bark, to alert the waiting wolf of his approach.

When he was closer, he slowed his advance to a crawl, only to halt a few wolf-lengths away from the foreigner. I assume you know that you are close to claimed lands. Njal carefully stated, warning her while also accepting her presence; she was mindful enough not to overstep the boundaries, which put her in his good books instantly. He held himself with a subtle yet clear dominance, his head raised and body alert. I am Njal, the Alpha of the glacier pack. Why did you summon me?

While waiting her mind had once again drifted to the mountains that lurked beyond, so vast from afar. In her reverie she dreamed of the view from above, and blending with the clouds that circled at the tip. But the journey would be rough, and the girl could not imagine hiking up such terrain without purpose. If only she has just a second, to be at the peak. How beautiful would the world look from there, the thoughts taunted her. Shaking herself out of the daydream the fem waited patiently a few more seconds, before his call erupted suddenly from the shadows.

As the male advanced her posture lessened, yet ears stood upright as always. Subtle, but certainly noticeable was his authority. What a large change this would be, but for the rewards it would be bearable. Firstly she would have family again, to talk to and work with. Would life, after all the misery it had caused, begin to let her feel normal again? After the event it had been a hazy blur of emotion, both devastating and uncomfortable. Like a snake she had tried to shed that old skin, filled with memories of the recent past permanently engraved.

At his words she would bow her head, however two dark orbs would trail upwards. A curt nod would acknowledge his warning, and with a sharp intake of breath would begin. "Greetings. I am Aurelie, a loner, seeking to join the Glacier Pack." Though her voice had remained steady it was laced with melancholy, especially around the word 'pack'. It felt as if she were betraying her past group, standing here on the borders of another. And yet they had left her, unable to catch up with their trail. Perhaps they had already forgotten about her? There was no need to waste energy struggling as a loner.

Lone wolves did not bother the family that often. Then again, the pack had only been established for a few weeks - and they kept to themselves, as to not attract unwanted attention. The few stranger that had popped up on the pack's radar each seemed eager enough for company, with strong bodies and free loyalty. This girl was apparently not far from that standard: as she introduced herself, Njal studied her features and comitted both her appearance and name to memory. It would take time for the Alpha to become truly close with any of the subordinates - his main duty was to his children and his wife. The others knew of their importance.

Are we the first pack you have discovered? The man questioned swiftly, although his voice did not hold hostility within it. It was an innocent question. Should there be other packs nearby, Duskfire would be glad for such information. But before she could answer that, Njal went ahead with other matters: Duskfire Glacier is home to my wife and children, as well as our followers. A life with us is a life sworn to their protection. Are you still interested?

As she had traveled there were very few wolves to meet, as she had set up her temporary area at the very fringes of Teekon, closest to her home. Though still missing her family, it was comforting to know of the possibilities in this new group; no more loneliness, scarcity, exhaustion. From what little she had heard, there were other packs in the new wilderness. But how far away the light wolf did not know, nor was she aware of the sheer size of the land. Are we the first pack you have discovered? Yes, what were the others like?

But as he continued she sensed the loyalty to his kin, something that she admired. How long ago had it been since she had seen the gentle eyes of her mother? The fiery passion of her father? Though not around much...they still mattered! And all of her other friends, not blood related directly but still they were family. Not of direct relations, but of invisible bonds that held them together. It had all been taken away...would she ever see then again? "Yes the first pack, from what I have heard there are others." Looking back towards the mountains another reverie would try to wash over her, but she would firmly plant her paws in reality.

She wanted to be here, with these mountains, with this family. "And I am certainly still interest." A smile graced her maw, just like recent times. Protection, shelter, safety of other members. They were not all that different, not at all. If only her mother could see her now, or perhaps one of her friends? She had grown, not just physically but mentally. Would they be proud of her now? Certainly they had not forgotten her? Because no matter what she refused to ever forget them...

Last post from me! Welcome to DFG! You can reply if you'd like, then we'll get the thread archived. :)

When news of his family did not scare her off, Njal was pleased. It appeared that he was more prone to accepting northerners like himself than anyone else; the pack was growing slowly with the blood of the north, as it ought to. There was no question regarding her skills - the thought slipped his mind completely as he observed her. She seemed stalwart enough, with the rugged quality of a wolf who had spent some time on the road, but also the familiar build of his Russian family that had been left behind. Perhaps it was sentimentality which brought about Njal's mental slip about potential skills. He didn't feel the need to question her further, and instead took a step back - as if the motion was an invitation.

You will not need to go further. Welcome. A curl to the corner of his lips indicated a slight smile, but nothing incredibly heartwarming; Njal was not an emotional creature. Or he likened himself as such. Whether it was true or not, his own perception of himself won out in the end. I can show you in to the heart of the territory, where you can meet my wife Tuwawi. We have four children that are around three months old, as well as a number of adults. Most of them are northblooded like us. Ah, what a mouthful. But with that stated, Njal fell silent and began to usher the new recruit beyond the borders.

If things didn't work out, then they didn't work out. The glacier pack was strong, and Njal trusted his devoted family to drive out anyone that was unfit for duty. If he made the wrong move here, they'd soon learn of it, and deal with it accordingly. The silver man was confident in his choice to allow Aurelie entrance, for now.

Thank you so much!

It was done. She would no longer be alone, but be among others. With a bit more confidence than before she would push sour thoughts away, for now Aure was done with them. Instead she would set herself on a purpose, one that had been the same since the old days; providing. In return for shelter, safety, and friends she had a duty, one that greatly assisted in the well-being of the pack. For the moment it did not feel like betrayal, but survival. Yes, this was to keep her alive and breathing. And the lass knew they would have wanted that.

With a curt nod the snow phantom would rise, new energy filling her weary body. Later on the false energy would fade, simply a product of her emotions. But for now she enjoyed the refreshed feeling, though she was careful not to exert herself any further than needed. "Thank you." Other northbloods? Studying the male carefully she realized that he seemed to share some of the traits himself. Well perhaps it would help her adjust, since it sounded as if their appearances would also be quite familiar. Finally she had woken from the hazy reverie of grief, and was living free again.