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Post by Adder on May 22, 2006 13:07:44 GMT -5
Standing on a small patch of grass, a tall slender male stood in solitude, quietly observing the large body of water in front of him. He had short grey and white fur, and deep amber eyes. His legs were long and his build was that of a skilled hunter.
In truth, Alphonse Hawkeye was not that old at all. He was only two years old; barely starting adulthood. But he had been through so much trauma in his past that he had been forced to grow up to be extremely mature and dependable. That had shown when his elder sister, Riza had told him to go and find his own pack.
He grinned to himself for some reason, bending his muzzle down to the water to sniff it. He shot backwards in surprise. He hadn't explored the whole Forest yet, far from it - but he always found himself coming back to the place known as the Moonflow. He really enjoyed watching the Moonlilies flash about and dipping his paws into the thick creamy water.
' I wonder where Adder is.. ' he murmured to himself. He talked to himself a lot - he had nobody else to talk to whilst Adder was out patrolling. Adder and himself had grown a fierce bond, kind of like the bond he had with his siblings. He knew that Adder was tortured with the fact that her brother had died right next to her - kind of like his own past, really. However, he had sworn to remain happy.
He laughed as he poked his nose into the water, making bubbles appear on the surface. He snatched up a nearby rock in his jaws and tossed it into the water, grinning as it hit the surface with a 'plop' and made ripples.
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Post by Asriel on May 23, 2006 12:07:57 GMT -5
Padding through the undergrowth came Jude, alone and feeling liberated. He was glad to have escaped his older brother's commanding, severe presence for the first time in a long time, and felt refreshingly unopressed, exploring his new home without disturbance.
He had been following, although not single mindedly, Alphonse's scent. He knew from Adder's description of her pack that there was only one other member other than him, his brother and the alphena herself, and assumed that the only alien scent in the terra must be that of the strange male.
It was not long before the cream and honey hued wolf reached the Moonflow. He stared at it for a moment, awed by its mysterious beauty, and it was a while before he registered Alphonse's presence. He flushed, ashamed to have been discovered admiring something beautiful.
Perhaps he didn't notice, Jude thought, and looked sharply at the wolf, expression defiant. He absorbed his appearance, and decided the two were roughly the same age before approaching, head high, gait subtely arrogant.
"Hey," Jude jerked his head at the male, a youthful gesture of greeting that was quite absurd, but that Jude thought of as cool. "I'm Jude Belaqua."
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Post by Adder on May 23, 2006 12:18:20 GMT -5
Alphonse was so surprised at the sudden arrival of the burly male that he fell backwards with a loud gasp when he heard Jude's greeting. Thick honey-like water spewed everywhere, and the young male was left scrabbling around in the water before shaking himself thoroughly with disgust.
' Hey, this water's not so bad.. I wish I could live in here, ' he said ruefully, with no hint of sarcasm or the such at all. Getting out of the water, he suddenly noticed Jude. He tilted his head with confusion.
' Hello.. I'm Alphonse. I didn't know there were any newcomers, ' he replied, smiling in an odd way that can only be described as the Alphonse way. He swished his tail swiftly at his rear, and nodded in a bow. ' I'm a hunter! '
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Post by Asriel on May 23, 2006 12:40:27 GMT -5
Jude lifted a scornful brow as Alphonse plunged into the murky water, wrinkling his nose and taking a step backwards as water burst from the lake, drenching his forepaws. He growled softly in annoyance and shook them each in turn.
Alphonse had gathered his wits and was speaking... seemingly to himself. Jude narrowed his eyes in cruel bemusement, shaking his head slightly as he watched Alphonse turn and give him a confused look. He listened to his excited introduction and laughed shortly, although his laugh was not pleasent. It was scornful and antagonising.
The young male really could be a pig at times... but it was more because he was insecure about himself than anything else. He didn't really enjoy being cruel, it just made him feel big.
"Yeah, well, there are, doofus." Jude snorted, settling into a sitting position and rolling his eyes. "I'm a hunter too." He said this in a superior fashion, looking disdainfully down his creamy nose at Alphonse.
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Post by Adder on May 23, 2006 12:45:19 GMT -5
Alphonse's eyes closed slightly and he frowned.
' That's not very nice, you know, ' he replied. ' I'm not a doofus. I'm not. '
He added, not defiantly, but more of a.. acknowledgement. He truly was a strange wolf. But he was also extremely caring. He smiled at the other male. ' That's good. We can be friends, right? I like hunting. '
He looked over to the track in which Jude had arrived from. He nodded, remembering when he had met Adder. He supposed that Jude had recently become accepted. He turned back to the fellow hunter and wagged his tail blissfully.
' Are you the only newcomer? '
He didn't lie down on his stomach himself, seeing this as disrespectful. Inside he politely crossed his forepaws in front of him, and smiled at Jude, ears waggling in an odd fashion.
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Post by Asriel on May 23, 2006 12:57:20 GMT -5
Jude simply raised an eyebrow and looked the male up and down contemptuously. Alphonse's smile caught him off guard, but instead of softening him, it simply made him more scornful. The other male was weird.
"Yeeeaah, sure. Friends." Jude said, widening his eyes and nodding in a patronizing fashion, tone sarcastic. He followed Alphonse's gaze to the place he had emerged from, but there was nothing of any interest there. Giving him a strange look out of the corner of his eye, Jude cleared his throat, feeling slightly uncomfortable. Alphonse didn't seem to be reacting much to his bullying antics, and that annoyed him.
"No," Jude replied, and puffed out his chest. He hated being lorded over by Asriel, but he was very proud of his brother none-the-less. He drew himself up importantly. "I came with my brother, Asriel."
Of course, Alphonse didn't even know Asriel, and it was unlikely that his name would strike awe or fear into his heart, which was the desired effect. Jude deflated, becoming shrewd and criticizing once again.
"What are you doing?" He demanded, staring sharply at Alphonse's twitching ears, which seemed to have a mind of their own.
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Post by Adder on May 23, 2006 13:04:47 GMT -5
Alphonse blinked as Jude asked him what he was doing. He looked around, confused, and raised a paw and then swished his tail. He stopped waving his ears but was still confused to what Jude meant.
' I have a sister and another one too. But I don't know where they are, ' Alphonse added, shrugging. He grinned. ' I'm glad that we're friends. '
He raised a paw to scratch gently at his face, and then got to his paws. He turned around to view the Moonflow again, and blinked brightly as he watched the Moonlilies begin to 'turn on' - some where starting to glow already, and it was only mid-dusk.
Alphonse turned back to Jude, and indicated to the trail towards the rest of the Forest.
' I haven't seen much of the Forest yet. But I would like to, ' he admitted. Indeed, Alphonse loved to explore. He often went exploring whilst his sisters were still waking up; whilst they were travelling. That was a long time ago.. I wonder where they are.
Yawning, he flung backwards onto the ground, unaware of the fact that wolves should never turn away from strangers. But Al had always been naive, having not learnt the dangers of the outside world - always being in the protection of his elder sister.
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Post by Asriel on May 25, 2006 10:49:42 GMT -5
Jude thingyed an eyebrow at Alphonse, then shook his head with a scowl. The wolf was really beginning to annoy him now.
His expression softened as the moonlilies began to glow. His eyes widened and he straightened up, tail beating the earth softly as he watched in awe the luminescent flowers grow brighter.
'I havn't seen much of the forest... but I would like to.' Jude started at Alphonse's voice, nearly tumbling into the dark waters himself. He scrambled backwards and straightened up, scowling at the other, his hackles bristling. A low growl of annoyance rumbled in his chest.
"What?" he snapped, having not heard a word of Al's remark.
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Post by Adder on May 25, 2006 11:00:11 GMT -5
As Jude watched the Moonlilies silently, Alphonse did the same, looking rather serene as he did so, smiling for some reason. His tail wagged rythmitically at his rear as his deep amber eyes blinked softly. He looked up sharply as Jude snapped at him, wondering what all the sudden ruckus was about.
' I said, I would like to visit the rest of the Forest. Have you seen the other parts? I wish Adder would take me one day. Do you think she will? ' He added, wanting Jude's opinion. Yes.. Al was too naive. Much too naive.
He turned back to the Moonflow, but sudden sounds behind him made his ears flick automatically. It was Adder. Usually she would have been pretty good at being silent, but Alphonse had unusually well developed hunting skills, including hearing.
' Good day, Alphonse, ' she greeted briskly, having not seen him much. She nodded towards Jude. Sharp amber eyes watched the two with close inspection. Her tail shook as she padded towards them, long muzzle twitching as he took in the many familiar yet also unfamiliar scents. She gave no clue as to if she had even seen the Moonflow, but inside she silently admired it.
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Post by Asriel on May 25, 2006 11:17:11 GMT -5
Jude glared shrewdly at Alphonse for a minute, ears twitching in annoyance. However, his features soon shifted, his expression becoming self-important and superior as he straightened up.
He was readying himself to boast, forming a speech about how he wouldn't need the alphess to show him around, about how he could look after himself, thank-you-very-much, when Adder herself arrived. Jude jumped again, and was instantly embarassed. His fierce blush was accompanied by a scowl, and he grunted an impolite greeting, turning away from both his companions.
Little did Jude know it, but he was soon to be reprimanded rather sharply for his rude behaviour. Srtiding purposefully through the forest came Asriel, a wolf on a mission. He was following his brother's scent, and his face was set, his eyes flashing. His brother was too arrogant for his own good, and Asriel intended to lecture him on his brash behaviour.
The commanding wolf burst silently from the undergrowth, expression stormy, to be faced with three wolves. He was not surprised, however. Being the wolf that he was, he had scented the other two several hundred yards back. His attention his instantly drawn to his brother, and a growl escaped his lips. Jude looked up at him mutinously, then changed his expression as he noticed Asriels furious eyes. He sat up smartly and turned about to face the alphena, although his sour expression did not disapear. Asriel nodded shortly before approaching the trio, dipping his head at the alphena before turning to Alphonse.
"Greetings. I am Asriel Belaqua." He introduced himself in a low rumble, and Jude scowled and rolled his eyes. Luckily for him, this was either ignored or not picked up on by his brother.
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Post by Adder on May 26, 2006 10:55:46 GMT -5
Adder nodded towards Asriel as he approached the small group, and looked towards Jude and Alphonse with something that looked mildly like a smirk. It quickly disappeared, however, to leave Al thinking he had imagined it. As Asriel spoke, he quickly zoomed into bowing mode, now looking formal. True, Al was naive and overfriendly, but also usually quiet and serious.
' I'm Alphonse Hawkeye, ' he replied. ' You.. you're Jude's brother, right? He's my friend! I know him now. ' He grinned as if he had known Jude all his life, swishing his plumed tail from side to side. Adder gave something that looked like a small smile or smirk, or perhaps a frown. Sometimes it was hard to tell with Adder. She turned back to Jude and Alphonse.
' As you two are both new hunters, I would like to see your skills. Go and catch a small white-tailed deer hind, having just reached adulthood. Return here once you are done. I trust you are decent trackers? ' she added. This will test their tracking and hunting skills.. and also.. their socialising skills, she thought to herself, interiorly smirking.
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Post by Asriel on May 27, 2006 3:33:31 GMT -5
A flicker of amusment passed briefly over Asriel's visage as Alphonse made a tumbling, friendly introduction. He inclined his head, then raised his eyebrow as he glanced at Jude, staring at Alphonse in unmasked disgust. The older wolf's eyes narrowed, his tail flicking. Jude caught this expression out of the corner of his eyes and looked away from Alphonse with a soft growl, turning, instead, to the alphess, who had begun to speak.
Both brothers listened to Adder, and Asriel grunted his agreement. It would do Jude good to go on a hunt, especially with Alphonse, who he obviously found annoying. He needed to learn tolerance and patience - his brother had neither of these qualities, but he could feign them if he needed to, and in his mind Jude should be able to as well if he could not master the real things.
Jude glanced from his brother to the alpha female, mouth slightly opened in disbelieving protest. How could they send him away to hunt no less with the ditzy Alphonse. However, when neither adult's expressions wavered, he turned to the other male, muttering darkly beneath his breath, eyes flashing.
"Fine. Come on, doof-" glancing at Asriel and Adder, Jude changed tack. "C'mon Alphonse. Let's get going." He gushed quickly, before hurrying, scowling, away from his brother's piercing glare.
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Post by Adder on May 27, 2006 4:17:47 GMT -5
Alphonse turned to Adder with a gasp of incredulosy. But not of disbelief and annoyance, like Jude - more of an excited way. He bowed low towards the Alpha and Asriel, and then turned to Jude, looking hurt as he spoke.
' I'm no doof, I bet I could beat you in a hunt anyday! ' he cried playfully, prancing away. ' I'll try and catch a deer together with Jude! '
Chanting in a sing-song way, he began slowing down to catch up with Jude. He nodded again towards Adder and then grinned at his 'friend'.
' This is going to be fun! ' he cried giddily towards Jude, then laughed - or rather, giggled - as he headed out of the area. ' I know the best hunting place, I've been there before! Lots! '
Adder raised her eyebrows and stopped the slight smile she hadn't realised was there. She turned to Asriel and frowned. They must have had many hardships, she thought wisely.
ooc; This board will continue, however, another continuation will be created at the Buttercup Clearing.
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Post by Asriel on May 27, 2006 4:37:50 GMT -5
Asriel watched Alphonse go, eyes flashing with brief laughter, which was soon expressed vocally in a short bark of amusement. Jude turned to scowl back at his brother and the alpha female, then skirted away quickly, cringing as he tried to put as much distance between himself and Alphonse as possible. Asriel watched them go with a raised eyebrow. He was not smiling, but amusement was detectable in the arrangement of his features as he watched the pair disapear. When they were no longer visible, he turned to Adder.
"Jude will learn," he rumbled with another short bark of laughter. He was in a reasonable mood, and wished to learn more of the alphess of his new pack, and to establish some sort of relationship. He believed that it was important to know those who you were to be living in close proximity with.
"Alphonse seems a nice wolf. Are you two related?" He enquired with gruff politeness.
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Post by Adder on May 27, 2006 5:40:11 GMT -5
Listening to Asriel as he spoke, she didn't look at him, merely watched Alphonse and Jude head towards the Buttercup Clearing. As he finished his words, she turned to face him, regarding him with slight interest. She shook her head.
' No.. we are not related. He joined the pack a few days ago. He seems pretty outgoing, but inside I know there's secrets. When I asked him where he came from, he told me little, '
She replied, remembering when Al had joined. Now she seemed like an elder sister to her. It's strange.. she thought. But when she met him, the two just clicked. He needs a lot of training, she added admittedly.
ooc; Sorry about short post.. bad lack of muse. D;
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