Looking Around, Passin' Through

[Luna]

[atrb=border,0,true][cs=7][bg=FFFFF1] (( This background looks pink. xD )) My paws swept lightly over the emerald blades of grass, savoring the feel of familiar ground beneath my paws. It had been some time since I'd stepped foot inside my home pack; I'd been roaming the neutral land for a couple months, seeing the world outside of the one my dear sister and I had created. Not to say I didn't enjoy that little realm full of fun, the blissful time of being a pup, and a ton of sibling love; it was everything to me. I'd grown distant from nearly everyone, my anti-social attitude secluding me and my sister. However, we were growing older quickly, and the days we'd spent running around like silly children were nearing a close. We were 2 years old, going on three. Soon enough we'd have to take charge of the pack, and I set out to find just how I was going to fit myself into said pack. It was my own little trip of self-discovery, even if I didn't find anything more than a grumpy fae. I was glad to be back inside the Lightning Borders though. Both my mother and my father had returned from their journeys, and although I wasn't close to either, I was looking forward to seeing them. Not to mention how much I'd missed Quralda. She would be the first wolf I would look for... Or at least, that's what I thought. Within my first hours home I found a stranger, rather than an eager, familiar face. When I'd come within smelling distance of the valley I caught the odd, vibrant scent. The scents of many territories, all of which I couldn't identify, were all rolled up into one and smacked on to whoever it was, telling she was definitely a traveler. I didn't think she'd met anyone yet; I couldn't find my parents' scents. In the middle of the 'pre-war', letting strangers go uninvestigated was completely foolish, so I figured it my duty as son of the alphas to check the girl out. I quickly made my way toward the valley, long legs carrying my swiftly across the terrain. I made no effort to make my steps stealthy; I wanted the fae to see me, know who I was and that she was on marked territory. I held my body, which was considerably larger than that of most males of my breed, high when I entered that actual area. I descended down the side of the hills, banner raised to show the dominance I held, even if I had no real 'rank'. My slightly darkened yellow optics scanned over the land before me as I walked, searching for any sign of another wolf. I finally spotted her; her small, dark {?}(grr... I can't remember what color her fur is. lol) frame laid out in the charred grass around 'the hole'. I snorted softly to myself, coming within a few feet of her sleeping form and stopping. Resting on claimed land? How stupid... I cleared my throat, loud enough to wake her up. " And just who might you be?" I questioned, my tone somewhere between a mix of sarcasm and threatening.

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[Luna]

[atrb=border,0,true][cs=7][bg=FFFFF1] ((Ah, must just be my computer)) The female woke with a start, scrambling to her feet in surprise. She seemed to glance over me for a minute, her mind trying to place whether I was someone to be feared or just another traveler. I could understand her confusion; I probably smelled nothing like my pack at the time. I'd been surrounded by hundreds of other scents in the neutral territory, and although my packmates would still pick my scent out of a crowd, the newbie couldn't. I was pleased to see that she must have decided that I was at least somewhat important. She went out of her way to slump her body over, making herself look small and unthreatening. A very smart move on her part. I'd never taken disrespect well, and she would be no exception. I'm a Gypsy When the answer to my question came, I rose a brow. What in the hell was a 'gypsy'? I'd never heard the term before and doubted my parents had either. Or wait, was that a name? Or was it both? A name derived from her profession? I kept my face solid, questioning, not letting the confusion swirling around in my mind be expressed. " A gypsy?" I replied simply, wanting an explanation. I let my eyes travel over her body, though keeping my staring well hid. Whenever her eyes moved to mine, they would already be focused back on her face. Between moments of eye contact though, I analyzed her frame, something I'd picked up from my parents since I'd been old enough to help scout. Looking over potential members for any obvious weaknesses as well as any noticeable strengths. I couldn't really pick anything out. She was small but built averagely. I couldn't pick anything particularly special out just from appearances, except that she was rather pretty. I looked back at her face, leaving my gaze there as I waited for a response.

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[Luna]

[atrb=border,0,true][cs=7][bg=FFFFF1] She'd seemed to pick up on the fact that I wasn't going to get all hostile like some wolves would. She stood up before speaking, her ears leaning forward to make it look like she was interested in our conversation. She was at ease, standing up straight inside slouching over submissively, but still kept her tail limp at her hinds to keep from offending me. I smiled, slightly amused by that as I sat down. I was sure she wasn't a threat and had no reason to stay on my feet. Plus, after walking as far as I had, it felt nice to take the pressure on my feet. My ears flicked forward as she spoke, watching as she shook her head. She seemed disappointed that I didn't understand the term, and I couldn't help but feel embarrassed and sorta stupid. Short, sweet and simple; a gypsy travels. I'm a gypsy. I could now add the word to my vocabulary, but that wasn't exactly what I'd asked for, was it? It seemed to me like she was avoiding naming herself, but I didn't feel the need to pry. If she was a traveler she probably didn't have any interest in joining the pack anyway. I shrugged mentally, putting the issue of her name in the back of my thoughts as she spoke again. By the way, I'm assuming you travel too. " Well... I guess, yeah," I replied, not sure on how to answer. I wasn't exactly a traveler; I hadn't taken many trips outside of the pack before. I had just returned after a month of wandering, but I didn't think that would qualify as a 'gypsy'. They do not know you are back. I glanced over my shoulder as she looked behind my, my brows pulling together when I saw nothing of interest there. I turned back to face her, eyeing her when her expression suddenly changed. Her small smile widened considerably. It looked as if she was letting me in on a wicked secret as she spoke, and I was surprised by what she said. How did she know that? Just because I had just got back didn't mean I hadn't met someone on the way in... It gave me an odd feeling, but I kept my expression unchanged as I looked at her " No, they don't... Why?" I questioned, wondering why she'd make the statement in the first place.

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[Luna]

[atrb=border,0,true][cs=7][bg=FFFFF1] Lightning? I glanced down, following her gaze to the large, blackened hole. I hadn't really been told too much about the odd landmark, but knew that it was indeed an effect of lightning and the pack was named for the peculiar, repeated event. I looked back up to speak. " Yeah," I replied, seeing her shake her head and figuring it best not to try and explain. You guess? She smiled, showing she was just teasing. I narrowed my eyes mentally, though my true expression didn't change. Make fun of the idiot... I thought, knowing I was truly making a fool out of myself. I probably looked stupid to her, looking behind me like something was there, not knowing what a 'gypsy' was... I didn't know why I was so nervous. Was all this war talk getting under my skin? Or was it her? I almost laughed at that thought. A girl? Making me nervous? No, that couldn't have been it. She made me feel even more like an idiot when she laughed at my question. It was an assumption, an observation. I was just stating something. If you had been in contact with a pack wolf, their scents that are located here would be fresh on your pelt. " Sorry... I'm usually not this stupid... Having an off day, I guess," I replied, chuckling casually to try and make up for my ignorance. " Thinking of this war so much must be getting to me," I added, giving a reason to be acting unusual. And being faced with possible death every day was a pretty good reason to be wary and nervous... My thoughts paused as I considered that she might have no idea what I'm talking about. I assumed everyone, even travelers, knew about the war. There had to be talk, even outside of the reserve, about something as big as a 4 pack war. "You do know about the war, don't you?" I asked quickly. My name is gypsy... Ah, so her name was derived from what she did. You know about me, but I don't even know your name. " Well, I'm Rome, member of the Lightning Pack; son of the alpha pair," I answered.

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[Luna]

[atrb=border,0,true][cs=7][bg=FFFFF1] I watched her as she looked at the hole, only looking up to glare at me. I narrowed my eyes slightly, still watching her as she directed her attention elsewhere. She seemed to be bored with me. Dumb females, I grumbled in my mind, glancing off after I finished speaking. She responded, chuckling lightly. I looked back to see her shake her head, smiling politely. It seemed to me like she was just being polite, like she really didn't want to be sitting there talking to me. Again my mind glared at her, though I watched her silently. This was why I didn't like other wolves. An odd change occurred in her after that, as I asked her about the war. She seemed to grow angry at first. She glared intensely at me, speaking a simple 'No' that held a definite growl to it. I growled back lowly, a soft action that was barely there in the bottom of the throat. I watched her warily, her odd behavior putting me on edge. She glanced down, seeming to sink back away from me. I heard her breathing grow slightly labored, coming out in short, rough heaves. She glanced back up, her face displaying distress and worry. I eyed her, confused by her terrified reaction. Did all 'gypsies' act like that? Sure, war was a bad topic, but it was a fact of life... There was no need to completely freak about it. " Yeah... Lots of fighting. It probably won't happen for another year or two, 'bout the time I'll take over the pack," I replied. It wasn't really the war that I was so concerned about, I mean, wolves fight all the time. It was more of the fact that I would be leading it. By that time, it would be me and Quralda on the front lines calling all the shot. Something like that would tend to put a lot of pressure on a guy... After that, as she seemed to be trying to collect herself, I added my part of the introductions. At this her head tilted to question me, her expression saying she didn't believe me. I almost snorted at that. Didn't I look like I could be an alpha's child? " Yeah, my parents own the territory... They're both off doing war stuff though, which is probably why I got to you before they did..." I said. " But since you're a 'gypsy', I'm assuming you wouldn't be interested in joining the pack anyway?"

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[badger]

[atrb=border,0,true][cs=7][bg=215d0e] Being back home felt great. The scent of Shadow still lightly clung to my fur like one of those gross seed things that sticks to you. "What on earth are those things called?" It annoyed me not remembering, but it wasn't really a big deal. I scented two wolves up ahead. I was wondering why they would even be here, at this strange place. I always thought lighting struck high places, but that didn't really matter either. One wolf was obviously a loner, and the other had a hint of Lightning scent, but it was mixed in with a whole bunch of other scents. " Yeah, my parents own the territory... They're both off doing war stuff though, which is probably why I got to you before they did..." I said. " But since you're a 'gypsy', I'm assuming you wouldn't be interested in joining the pack anyway?" Gypsy? Wouldn't loner be easier? Ah well, that didn't really matter. What did matter, was that I was beta, and it was my duty to check out potential pack members. I wasn't sure this kid should be inviting others in the pack, but he was the alpha's son. I think I had seen him at pack meetings, but never talked to him. "I guess I should get to know the pack, now I have more responsibility." I was right on them now, and could see the gypsy was a small, dark fea. "Hello there, who might you be?" I asked softly, but with authority. I nodded to the light male, as I was kind of embarrassed that I couldn't remember his name.

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[Luna]

[atrb=border,0,true][cs=7][bg=FFFFF1] She whimpered as I growled, and I simply glanced at her in recognition. She really had no reason to take her boredom or the fact that she'd waltzed into a war zone out on me. Just like her, I was just another wolf stuck in the middle of it, someone who'd really played no part in pissing anybody off. I was thankful for that, too. I knew that the organizers of the war were a fearsome group, or else the gods wouldn't have stepped in. I didn't really want to be on their shit-list until it was absolutely necessary, and my time to piss neighbors off hadn't come yet. I had to admit though, that I did have a devious, almost malicious side to me that could be very, very cruel. I was sure that when I did get to step up and take some official role in the pack, that I'd be causing quite a bit of hell with our foes. She sighed a response, but was cut short when her attention turned from me. I lifted an eyebrow questioningly, but quickly lowered it as I noticed that the scent that had been lingering around us had made its appearance. I glanced to my side at the female, registering it immediately as our beta fae. She nodded to me after addressing Gypsy and I dipped my nose in return. " Evening Holly," I said politely, though I wasn't very interested in what she had to say. I knew almost nothing about the girl except that she was the beta, her name was Holly, and what she looked like. I wasn't too concerned about getting to know her either, so I casually shifted my gaze back to Gypsy. I found it surprising that she didn't wait for HOlly to respond to her. She gave her name, asked a question, and immediately finished what she'd been saying to me. My ears flicked back involuntarily, listening to any reaction from Holly. I wasn't too sure how she acted toward other wolves, and didn't know if she'd take the slight rudeness offensively. Either way, it wasn't too smart on a traveler's part to show anything but respect to a high ranking wolf. But I'd do it too, I thought with a small smile, knowing how I didn't pay too much attention to authority. " Well, our doors are always open. We're always looking for new members... Though I'm sure you'd be given a role in the war if you joined any of the packs," I replied, though I didn't fully understand how she'd have trouble finding a place to stay. In other areas that may be so, but I knew that there were designated places for travelers, and that there was a designated place for the war. Really, unless she was caught up in one of the mischievous events leading up to the war, it shouldn't interfere in her life at all... But, that didn't really matter to me, so I pushed the thought to the back of my mind as I awaited a reply.

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[badger]

[atrb=border,0,true][cs=7][bg=215d0e] "My name is Gypsy… and whom may you be?" "I'm Holly, the beta of Li..." Gypsy cut me off as I was answering her question. I was quite annoyed, and my ears flicked back wards. Patience, Holly. I watched her through slitted eyes, she seemed to be an odd kind of wolf. If she was a traveler, why would she want to join a pack? "Evening, Holly." Damn, he knew my name. Ah, well, I was sure it would come to me. The dark fea turned to me once she had finished talking to the light male... Rome! That was it! I opened my eyes to their normal width, and looked back at Gypsy. She had already made a bad first impression, and I was going to give her a second chance. I didn't like to judge new wolves as quickly as I did, but that's just the way I am. I felt better now I remembered Rome's name, it gave me a better feeling of authority. I sat down, my legs were tired after traveling to and from Shadow.

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[badger]

((so, i'm guessing this board is dead?))

[Luna]

I guess... If she gets back on i'll reply..