x. Silent { a r r i v a l }

[Thorn]

<sub>The sun slowly fell over the horizon, dimming sunlight dwindled on the tree tops, lingering between the mountains peaks. Streams of golden light fell into the scenery with grace, making it easy to spot the movement about the forest. A scattered rhythm of paws could be heard over the evident sounds of the forest, catching the drifting rays of ultra violet. The lone figure made quickly around fallen logs and trees, the smothered beats streaming from behind padded paws. The large figure emerged though the foliage, massive skull moving left and right, gaunt face lit in orange by the falling light. His thick coat was mixed with with a smooth winter hue, soft splodges of black splattered his paws.

A pair of sparkling yellow iris peered from black pupils with senses of malice coated in an ivory feel of melancholy. Foliage, loam, and fertile grass smothered against the earth under their insistent beings, trotting forward in utmost superiority. The scaled a rise in the terrain, a hill, and shot forward towards it’s rounded summit. Tendons rubbed and stretched, fore-legs extended outward before pulled back in, then repeated again in a grotesque dance, though hard to tear eyes away from. Bottle brush tail streaming out from behind, anything but still as they were thrown about by the back of delicate hind quarters. Halting at the bottom, large jaws parted as tongues lay limp over stained canine teeth, bodies heaving with each inhale.

But where had he gotten himself now, another territory to get rejected from. Gruffly letting out a short sigh he pricked back his ears. Such things where unheard for from a wolf like him to not take a chance. Snorting he shifted upon his forelegs and pulled back his head. Realising the cold melody that tugged and tore at his throat he asked or acceptance. It did not matter if he got accepted or rejected he would not really feel much emotion. He never did.

Watching and waiting on the territory with emotionless hush he did not move a muscle. His whole body had stiffened as if he was in a death like trance. Well. Of course he was not dead, he did it when he wanted quiet. Waiting for a reply was a perfect time to think. To wonder. To dream. The simple emotions never blossomed much, he kept himself quiet as he roamed the vast lands. There was really no need to wast energy when all your efforts just get thrown back in your face.</sub>

[Adder]

It was strange, but Adder had never felt more at ease when she had talked to Asriel. He seemed to be in the same situation as she was - but her words still lingered. She knew that despite the hardships of the past, they should not be forgotten, but merely learnt from. Remembered, but remembered with a smile, not tears.

However, she had left his company when she caught scent of an outsider. The third newcomers.. I wonder what awaits me this time, she thought to herself, frowning. Alpha Adder was a female - an odd choice for the one in command for the pack. However, she was as good at hunting and leading than any male. She had chosen speed, endurance and intelligence over brawn, and she didn't regret it.

Soon she approached the trespasser, and identified him with a swift scanning. A male, and around the same age as herself. He still carried his winter coat, although it was swiftly retreating due to the awakening of spring. Adder's coat was also fast disappearing, leaving her feeling bare.

' Greetings, outsider, ' she called sharply, narrowing her eyes as she watched the male. ' I am Adder, Alpha of the Oracular Forest. I trust your intentions are pure? '

She added, raising an eyebrow. If this male meant to fight, she would give him one. However, she didn't think that was his intent. She stifled back a smirk and nodded. Her head was held high, ears flat back against her cranium and tail raised. This proved she was indeed the Alpha Female of the Forest. She accepted no nonsense.

[Thorn]

<sub>Leaning down he pressed his body against the earth. He could tell that his wholly coat was son disappearing, he could feel more wind through it, catching at his skin and making him shiver. Flicking his ears slightly, he kept himself in his thought like trance now even realising the familiar drum of paw steps approaching. It was not untill the alphena was right beside him was when he knew she was there.

Snapping abruptly out of his thoughts he turned to her, his emotionless expressed was wiped clean off his face. All the thoughts that he wouldn't care melted away. One came. An Alpha came. Swallowing slightly he pushed himself down into a bow, only when his muzzle touched the earth was when he brought his head back up. Oh what a sweet delicacy he had met, how bliss it felt to be seen.

"Greeting m'lady, I be Thorn I am just a mere roamer of the lands" he pausing slightly he pushed away the smile the tugged on his muzzle. "But of course, I would never to anything to flaw such beautiful lands" he then continued. Oh she stood with such authority, such pride, she really showed that she could kick any males hind if she needed to.

Suddenly a sliver of a memory slotted into his thoughts, he took a step back as pure horror blurred his mellow yellow eyes. He swallowed, why did they come back not. Why when his only chance to be accepted to be one with a pack. Why now. Clenching his jaws he such his large head side to side, his mother and father slaughtered, his sister running away from him. No he had not lost her. She had hated him.

He looked up at the sweet Alphena in front of him, he must be making a total fool of himself. Shaking his head he tore away the memories and scattered them away, "I am deeply sorry m'lady, just found a stray" he paused "thought."

Swallowing lightly he looked around him. Oh how he hoped the pack would held his bitter way. He knew that always he would be frightening and mixed. He knew that he would never extinguish the horrifying memories from his mind. Pray this new place would help him out, and now kick him out. Licking at a bow he gave her another bow, waiting in silence for her to speak.</sub>

[Adder]

As Thorn spoke and provided the respectful rituals that marked the entrance of an honourable outsider. Adder nodded curtly in approval, and observed the black male closely, tail swishing silently from side to side, still held high, as was her cranium. The male seemed lost in thought, and Adder narrowed her eyes suspiciously before replying.

' Many greetings, Thorn. I trust you are to be wishing to join our small number? ' she replied, wondering whether newcomers would be offended by the lack of wolves. ' We carry less than a half-dozen members, although we gladly accept newcomers, as long as they remain loyal towards the pack. '

She indicated her head towards the lands in which she had came from, her long muzzle twitching as she acquired Thorn's new scent fully, making sure she could identify him from long distances away. Deep yet troubled amber eyes blinked as she remembered her short talk with Asriel, and wondered whether her brother was around. Keeping a secret smile to herself, she remembered slightly the happy times in which she and her brother had spent together. Turning back to face Thorn, she nodded in apology.

' I myself often find myself lost in thoughts, ' she added, frowning slightly. Composing herself, she readied to ask him the introductory questions. ' To recieve a rank you must let me know of your strengths. We currently have two hunters and one guardian. '

[Thorn]

<sub>He was watching her half secretly out the corner of his eyes, a good thing with him. He could do many things when busy. Watching her smile quite visibly he began to realise she too probably had a warm pack and caring family, surely nothing had flawed her life as it has so to his. Firn firn. Where where you. Smiling he sat down in the show his black tail wagging slightly, the soft tinges of grey and white on it brought up quite a delightful site in the creeping dusk. He did look rather hansom under the awakening gaze of the morning. Sighing inwardly he waited a bit more for the female to speak a crackle of joy flaring in his chest as she did.

He worried not about the members the pack carried, it was a pack and thats all that mattered now. "Yes indeed I wish to join m'lady Adder, speed and strength would be the thing I would normally say though I have worked in inner mind that my wit and intelligence is my strong point, I would rather out smart them than lunge right in, make miscalculations and get hurt myself" he said with a small nod. "Sometimes m'ladys thoughts are the only thing that keeps the hope burning" he whispered softly.

Smiling at her he looked up at the skies, "looks like it shall be a rather nice day don't you think" he said playfully trying to change the conversation away from his past and his sister. It would be better if he told no one. Wouldn't it?

((Pleh so short))</sub>

[Adder]

-----
' Adder, Adder, let's go, let's go! ' a young grey and white male youngster raced along the landscape, fluffy cub tail billowing out behind him. A smaller and younger female jumped along the rocks with care, looking less happy.

However, these days were the happiest of her life.

' W.. wait for me, Chinook! Wait! ' she whimpered, quickening her pace to finally reach her brother. Leaping onto his back, they toppled over and scrabbled around yipping and laughing. ' Gotcha! '
-----

Adder had always been considered a strong wolf, always calm and composed. But that last sudden streak of memory broke herself slightly. She turned away, the ghost of a tear slipping down her cheek. Turning back sharply to face Thorn, her eyes bore into his for a moment, wide and piercing. However, they soon settled and she shook herself thoroughly, back to normal Adder.

' In.. indeed. The day will be a fine one, ' she responded. ' I'd suggest taking up the hunter role. The more the merrier, I suppose. '

She nodded and shook her tail slightly, although even now it was still held high. Long slender legs were stable once again and her Alpha role was back to normal.

ooc; Sorry, lost a bit of my muse. xD

[Thorn]

<sub>He rather taken aback by her words, smiling he dipped his head awkwardly and made his vow. "I promise to you that my loyalty stays with you, my heart, my soul, my body is in dept to you" he paused "this I vow" he finished. Looking up he met eyes with her, "my queen, my alphena let us go" he murmured. Blinking he looked down on the border line, taking a deep breath he stepped over it and stood next to her. "Such luxuries never go unheard for, I will go hunt.. is there any requested animal you would desire m'lady" he asked her dipping his again.

A howl met his audials, "I see another has arrived, female by the sounds of it" he said with a small twitch of his ears. A slice of worry snagged his chest, the female indeed sounded young, what was such a wolf doing here.. alone.</sub>

[Adder]

As Thorn spoke, Adder's eyes swelled with sadness as she remembered her brother's last words as they lay on the ground next to eachother, so without energy that they couldn't raise themselves to look at eachother. But that was where Thorn had vowed that he would always be watching her.

As Thorn made his pack vows, she turned back sharply towards him, snapping out of her memories. She nodded but when he spoke of hunting for her, she shook her head.

' I have set the other two hunters, Jude and Alphonse on a hunting task of their own. I will want to see your skills later, but for now you may rest. Or meet the other pack members if you wish, ' she added.

Asriel, Jude, Alphonse and Thorn.

' Very well. I shall deal with this newcomer. I hope I see you again, Thorn, ' she added with a nod, eyes as narrow and piercing as ever. Turning, she padded off into the direction of the female newcomer.

ooc; AHHHHH LACK OF MUSE >.>