Evening Stroll

Thread Status:(closed)
Players involved: Cal, King
Characters involved: Azel (Cal), Shade (King)
Setting: Saithithe Marsh
Time: 45th Ganthor, Early Morning
Weather: Clear

It seemed really peaceful in the Marsh. Too peaceful, in Shade's opinion. The Wolf had slipped out to the quiet of the trees as soon as the meeting had ended, and now he was crouched under a tree, watching the sunrise. Things seemed strange with the queen gone. She'd been the first to accept him, and he was worried about what would happen now that she was dead. He looked back at the remains of the rabbit den he'd caught during the night, suddenly fearful of what would happen if someone came for the pack while they were weakened. Would they be torn apart like the rabbits had been?

He shook his head to chase the thought away, then closed his eyes. His body faded into the shadows under the tree, the faint glow of his markings the only light in this dark place. Until the sun rose, at least, he could be safe in the forest.

Azel padded quietly into the Marsh, ears pricked up for sounds of prey. She may not have been out specifically to hunt, but extra food was rarely a bad thing - especially with the pack in the state it was. 

A faint glow was what caught her eye in this lightless place; she stood stock-still until she felt comfortable enough to identify approximately where it came from, and then she moved slowly, assuming this to be a threat to her pack's territory. Best to have the element of surprise if at all possible, and her light fur would stand out amongst the dark if she was seen.

Shade's instincts warned him immediately. Something was in the area besides him. The air was calm, so scents were spreading rather evenly. He closed his eyes for a moment and shadowstepped himself to a branch up in a nearby tree. In the shadows, he was able blend in again while still seeing who was there. He looked down at her. Was that another wolf from the pack? "Who are you?" His voice was quiet, but not silent. Just loud enough to be heard.

As soon as he spoke, he shadowwalked to a different tree. He'd keep her guessing, just in case.

Azel froze, hackles going up immediately. "I am Azel. Who are you?" she demanded, swivelling her head slowly in an attempt to find him again.

There. Under that one. She took another step forward, carefully testing the ground in case something had been done to it.

Shade frowned. She'd spotted him fast, and his cover was slowly disappearing. "I'm a member of the Enkratis. You are in our lands." He shadowstepped to another tree, trying to find one where the shadows would last longer in the rising sun.

He wasn't sure who she was. She smelled familiar, but that didn't mean he could trust her.

Azel paused. "Enkrati? That would make two of us. But I'm sure you can understand my... suspicious reactions."

She wasn't sure if she quite trusted him yet. But if he was lying, best to let him think he'd fooled her - then his guard would be down.

Shade blinked. Was she an Enkrati? He wasn't sure he'd ever seen her before. Then again, he was knew he was a loner who barely spoke with any wolves in the pack, and normally stayed away from gatherings. So she could actually be a big deal in the pack and he'd have no idea. He frowned slightly, not sure if he should trust what she said. He tilted his head towards the rising sun slightly. It was getting too high for comfort. He'd run out of shadow cover soon. If he was going to do something, it had to be now.

He stood up. "What are you doing out here, then? Most of the pack seems to avoid this place." He leapt down, a distance of nearly fifteen feet. Halfway down, he entered the shadow of the tree and disappeared, reappearing right behind Azel. Now that he was close, though, her scent was a little familiar. Maybe she was a pack member.

She swiveled her head again to search for him. "Clearing my head. And now, finding you - as you said... most Enkrati avoid this marsh. Why are you here?"

His scent - or what she thought might be his scent - did seem almost familiar. She may have smelled it before. But she wasn't sure.

"Like you said, clearing my head." He frowned and turned away. "The queen brought me into the pack." He started walking in a random direction. She could follow if she wanted to, he supposed.

Azel heard his steps and swung her head in his direction; once she'd taken a moment to look him over, she recognized him, and soon her steps fell in with his. "She was kind like that. How long have you been of the Enkrati?"