Though I Walk Through the Shadows

Split

Mar 25, 2019 21:17:22 GMT -5

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Post by Split on Mar 25, 2019 21:17:22 GMT -5

Campion

The alpha strode through the forest confidently. Ears swiveled sharply towards each sound, her mind quickly determining what was important and what was not. The ivory had checked the borders for scent-markings and trespassers herself, using the time to gather her thoughts. The she-wolf had many things to consider. As if it was not enough to have the other kingdoms to worry about, there was also the fact that not every wolf in Sacredwood agreed with her leadership. Slate had been the wolf they had assumed would ascend to the rank of alpha, not Campion... but when the clear sign had come, she had been chosen instead.

The entire kingdom had believed for some time that Slate was going to lead them... and the sudden change was a surprise for many. A scowl lit her face as she pushed through some undergrowth. She had spent her entire life proving herself and seemed nothing had changed. Their ancestors had chosen her because she was the right wolf for the job. Was that not enough? Campion had not blamed her mentor for the choices made regarding Slate, but she also was not responsible for them. Her ears flattened to her skull as she stepped down toward the stream just ahead. The alpha kept her eyes up as she took a long drink, satiating her thirst. Then she sat back on her haunches, looking down at the water as she contemplated what she should do to quiet the whispers she thought must surely be spreading through the kingdom.

The first thought she had was to secure Slate's support. If the wolf who was almost leader openly supported her, then the pack would be that much more likely to follow. The best way to go about ensuring his support was another matter to consider. Her ears flicked irritably as she leered at the stream, not really seeing it as she pictured Slate in her mind. The dark male, for the time being, was a thorn in her side. Quiet and impersonal, it was hard for her to read him. That made this infinitely harder. She considered consulting Ibis. She trusted him more than any other member of the kingdom. Honestly, besides her mentor, he was the one she was closest to.

Edited Mar 27, 2019 20:40:08 GMT -5 By Split

Kon

Mar 30, 2019 18:20:18 GMT -5

Though I Walk Through the Shadows

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Post by Kon on Mar 30, 2019 18:20:18 GMT -5

Ibis of Sacredwood

Corvidae

Raven: Firefly

Another day, another round of duties for the Sacredwood Corvidae to busy himself with. If it had been summer, he may have started complaining at some point, maybe started praying; but the day was cool and comforting. The prize time of a Spring fresh out of Winter and a wonderful time to feel the breeze tug loose the first strands of his winter coat. Not to mention, it was one of the few times Firefly was endearing enough to actually help, her peak not being used as something to harm but to help. Also one of the few times they weren't bickering or throwing their fun little snarky comments at each other. He certainly wasn't going to disrupt her from pulling out a particularly itchy puff from his neck. It saved him from having to dirty himself with a mud-rolling or tree-scraping.

With the Raven busy leaving a trail of fluff behind, Ibis kept his nose to the ground in search of freshly grown herbs. Most were too young to pluck, quite normal given the seasons; but his stores from the cold season demanded he keep himself busy if only to keep the appearance despite having the knowledge that his wide search would end in a mostly futile effort. At least Sacredwood had been spared anything truly deathly, unlike rumors of other packs. Words of birds imparted to him by Firefly- thus leaving out the knowledge of how much was true or better, what had transpired outside their lands in detail. A pity really but he wasn't going to complain too much.

Focusing his efforts on trying to find anything of use, something by nose or ear; the male had caught the sound of another creature before he'd scented it. Or them, really; to be more respectful. He had to remind himself that, curiosity leading him on before his nose caught the trail and the flicker of recognition sped up his path-making. If the Raven, who'd hopped to his hind-quarters in his loping; cared enough to notice his drastic increase in speed, she didn't bother to mention it.

Slowing what was him practically frolicking, the male traveled the rest of the way in his usual manner. Silent, stealthy, and far too cat-like for any wolf to comfortably mention. It wasn't hard for one of the Sacredwood amongst the soft grounds and thick roots, definitely not for one who held the dark coat of their birthright. Quite honestly, he was trying to sneak up on her- his way of being playful really, especially when Firefly wasn't giving them away with her cawing. For her part, she had made it easy to circle around the stream to appear from behind- a coy smile so obvious on his face he was afraid his Raven might ruin the fun with her usual comments. It took a lot of effort to hold back the sigh of relief when he could creep up close enough without trouble, sliding close to the ground so that he'd appear a shadow underneath the trees with only his eyes to show that he wasn't a trick of the mind.

"Campioooon-" He called with a low howl, trying to mimic the wind. "Oh Campioooon~!" Now the Raven on his butt sighed, he could feel her body waver as she shook her head before continuing her work. Somehow her reaction only encouraged him. "What's wrong dear Campioooon~?"

Split

✿ EDEL ✿

Split

Mar 31, 2019 23:18:06 GMT -5

Though I Walk Through the Shadows

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Post by Split on Mar 31, 2019 23:18:06 GMT -5

Campion

Campion was engrossed in her own thoughts and the she-wolf heard nor suspected another creature was near until her own name echoed through the woods. Her head jerked upward and she jumped, bouncing almost a foot off the ground before landing with all four paws spread and her teeth bared. The alpha's ears pinned instinctively and her hackles rose sharply, tail lashing out behind her to offer supportive balance. She slung her head to and fro as the second verse range out, something akin to recognition beginning to grow in the startled wolf. Only with the third line did she fully recognize the voice.

Sniffing sharply, she turned around and sought Ibis with her eyes. It took her a half moment longer to find him than she wanted it to, but his eyes stuck out in the shadow of the tree. See his expression, she lowered her lips and stood up straight. The ivory's hackles fell and her tail dropped to a more neutral position, eyes still slightly narrowed in aggravation. She couldn't say she enjoyed being snuck up on. It was embarrassing. She perked her ears, unable to be truly angry because she enjoyed Ibis's company. She always had. He was also the wolf she wanted to see most, though Slate was near the top of her list.

"Is frightening me half to death your idea of fun, Ibis? I would think Firefly would keep a better eye on you than that," she replied, a hint of teasing in her voice. She stared at him with narrowed eyes a minute more before sighing quietly, squinting as she looked at the ground. Campion eased down into a sit before walking her front end down so she was laying facing the corvidae.

"It's all the same, I suppose. You're the wolf I wanted to see anyway. I have had a lot of my mind," she remarked, eyes still looking downward. Her face taughtened with concern and frustration and she slowly raised her eyes back upward in an attempt to meet his. Perhaps the male had seen something, heard something, from their ancestors. Part of her was resentful of the idea that she needed anyone's council in this matter, so she beat around the bush. "Has the Kingdom of the Stars spoken to you recently? Or any of the pack? Anything at all I should be aware of?"

Kon

Apr 1, 2019 13:31:01 GMT -5

Though I Walk Through the Shadows

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Post by Kon on Apr 1, 2019 13:31:01 GMT -5

Ibis of Sacredwood

Corvidae

Profile

If a shadow could grin, it probably would have been far less eerie than the one slowly making its way over Ibis' face. Thankfully the darkness hid this shine of his canines in all their shown amusement, or at least it felt like that might be the case when his prank had played out perfectly. Right to the T- Campion nearly took off into the sky. He rarely saw wolves jump that high unless they were aiming for a climbing squirrel or committing the blasphemy of bird snatching. It became so much more fun when he saw her struggle to locate him, the wariness and alarm in posture feeding his amusement rather than causing a well-placed worry.

Leave it to him to care more for his pranks working then sending the leader of his kin on what could have easily turned into a blood hunt. Now wouldn't that have been awkward? Fortunately it didn't escalate to that- much more to Firefly's relief than his no doubt. As much as he knew his winged companion adored being in the spotlight and setting every other wolf on fire- she was hardly one to deal with 'traitorous thoughts' or 'actions', aka- if it was troublesome, she wanted no part of it. That made all his antics all the more satisfying and he admitted it every time.

By the time Campion finally managed to spot him from her wary searching, the male was at his limit to keep his tail from freaking out. Of course that didn't last when the game ended, a bark of laughter and the wolf's tail was smashing against the ground in such a flurry that it had actually managed to startle Firefly. The Raven screeching her disdain before hopping toward his shoulders, wavering heavily as he pounced to his feet in a single smooth motion. "It quite is, I assure you my dear Campion." The black wolf's grin turned cheshire with semi-sadistic pleasure, "I can also assure you that my companion keeps the closest eye on me, if only not for my teasing." His tongue lolled out as he managed to slow his tail to a friendly wag.

"Why should I bother with your antics? Disrupt them for all I care but shake me like that again and I will give you an extra hole on your rear." The Raven's caw held every hint of truth in her menace.

"I'm more amazed that you think you could break that winter nest you were making back there." He chimed back. Firefly fluffed. "Test me. I dare you."

Oh wasn't she in a pleasurable mood? Normally the raven would've started riddling holes in his poor hide but alas- there was some mercy in the black bird yet! Too bad for her, he didn't get the chance to test out how far her patience went as Campion's voice drew back his attention. In the moment in took him to give his winged companion a look of mock surprise, the Sacredwood alpha had managed to rearrange herself to face him in quite a comfortable looking fashion. How enviable- he'd note with some mild mood of deviousness. One that had definitely been encouraged by her initial statement. "Oh? Pray, do tell- I am ever ears my dear."

He trotted forward to be within a comfortable distance of his female alpha, gliding so smoothly that when he did choose to finally sit it had been far too quiet for a wolf not trying. And despite his efforts to tilt his head in both question and curiosity, Firefly found herself a perch right there on his dome. Hopping no matter which way he turned until he finally gave up.

Her question did manage to draw concern where there was a measure of playfulness. "If there had been word from our ancestors, you would have known immediately." He replied almost instantly, "Are you hunting for rumors? Discontent? We're well off, y'know; and there's no sickness or talk of feisty border wolves. Though Firefly has deemed me worthy enough to share the gossip of the birds, some news of ill fortunes for some other wolves but nothing is ever concrete in the words of songbirds." Again his head tilted and this time Firefly decided to chime in. "Look at this sad excuse of a wolf. She's frightened by her own brethren, feeling the stress of being an outsider over a leader no doubt!" The Raven guffawed, ignoring the quiet stare of the wolf beneath her.

"My dear, if you want to know something specific- about a wolf or a hidden fear- you needn't hide it from me. I am ever a shadow for your pleasure." He offered an encouraging thump of his tail, thinking on what things might have been bothering his poor adopted lady. Unfortunately, he could name a number of things- more than half of which he was sure she may not have even known about despite her position.

Split

✿ EDEL ✿