Hunting at Dawn(CLOSED)

[Ayame]

As they padded along the terrain, Ayame listened silently and intently to everything that Takhi had to say. She loved hearing stories, especially when they involved cubs; she yearned so badly for a family of her own. She had found that must cubs are complete opposites, and Takhis’ were no different, from the color of their pelts to their demeanor. The young midnight fae began to wonder what her own cubs would be like, and who they would take after; of course she would have to find her eternal mate first and neither Tor nor Fenris were shining any light on that subject. Ayame slowly came to a pause and sat down the hind for a moment,

“Takhi, do you believe that there is an eternal mate out there for everyone? Do you think that one day I’ll find my one mann I’m destined to be with?”

Picking up the carcass once again she continued on her travels, it would be dark soon, and the two faes would soon blend into the darkness with only there shinning orbs glowing. This also meant that they would have to pick up the pace soon if she wanted to make it home before it became too late, she didn’t want her alphas worried or angry with her. Soon they had cleared the meadow, and were approaching on the unpredictable river. With it being a rather calm day, it shouldn’t be too hard to cross.

Once reaching the river bank Ayame came to a stop, setting down the remaining carcass once again. She pranced up to the waters edge, lowered her muzzle, and began to lap up the cool water, a much needed drink. She then looked up to the bold skies above her; Tor was placed perfectly with small twinkles all around and only a small lingering cloud here or there.

“It seems the beautiful day has turned into a beautiful night. Tor is smiling on us tonight.”

Ayames’ fiery gaze returned to Takhi, wondering if they fae would venture with her across the river, or if she would go her separate way. She knew that Sarnes land was just before she reached List, so she also wondered if Takhi would return there hoping for acceptance into the pack.

[Takhi]

An eternal love. Many hope to find that in their lifetime. Some never find the right wolf to fill that emptiness and alleviate the pain of loneliness. For most it was hard to come by. For Takhi, she didn't believe in actual "love." She believed that all one gains in life is a mate and that's it. Frost had been good to her and she did love him, but as time took him away, she realized that love is anything but eternal. She knew that there were more manns out in the world and knew that maybe even for her, there would be new pups for her to care for. But Takhi could sense that Ayame wanted to believe in love. Her face spoke the story of one who had never found love, but it was not too late for her, and Takhi believed that she knew that.


"I believe that there is someone out there for every one of us. Maybe not eternal but there is someone. We all can't obsess over finding love. You never find love, love finds you. It happens when you least expect it. So don't you lose hope on that. It'll happen...someday."


Takhi looked up into the sky. The colors had darkened into shades of black and deep blue, dotted with sparkling stars. Tor had taken Fenris' place as she too crawled over the mountains. "Yes, night has come and Tor is looking more beautiful than ever."


When Ayame stopped at the river, she looked back at Takhi, as if she was waiting to see if she would follow. Her crimson eyes glowed in the shadows, Takhi's blue and green gaze locking with hers. "As long as you'll have me, I will continue with you until we arrive on the border of List."

[Ayame]

The young onyx fae stood there silently looking up at the glimmering stars as the scarred fae seemed to ponder her question about true love and eternal mates. She wondered if the one mann she was meant to be with was looking up at the stars with her as if connecting to each other without knowing. A soft sigh escaped Ayames’ deep chest, the true love she thought she found had disappeared and never returned; though deep down inside she hoped for him to return. She shook her head as if to scold herself, thinking she had found her eternal mate as a young cub was ridiculous. Takhi’s bark brought her back to reality and her fiery gaze returned to the blue and green hues of the fae,

“Yes, I suppose you are right; love will find me when I least expect it. I thought I had found it as a cub, but seems I was foolish and mistaken, for I haven’t see hide to hair of him since I joined List.”

Ayame lowered her head shamefully towards the ground cursing her self; it was time to move on once and for all.

Takhi’s mention of the great Tor and the stars made her fiery hues once again look up into the deep bluish black sky which seemed to go on for eternity. She closed her eyes while looking up, meditating and taking in everything around her, trying to rid her mind of the past. A gentle breeze blew making her long pelt slowly flow like the tall grasses in the valley; it was a beautiful night. She opened her eyes once more and a yawn came across her maw out of no where; it was time to continue their travels.

As if on key Takhi mentioned she would continue with her to the Listern borders. A thankful smile came across her maw; before picking up the carcass again she turned to the older fae,

“Thank you Takhi. Your company has made this a very pleasant trip. Once we reach the borders of List will you venture on to Sarnes to join them? Or will you continue to roam as a kerl?”

The large onyx fae then turned and returned to the carcass and grabbed it once more in her jaws, looking back at Takhi as to say lets continue our travels; she began to make her way to the waters edge hoping that Takhi would find a home and family in Sarnes, she deserved it.

[Takhi]

As Ayame took in the sights, sounds, and smells of the night, Takhi did the same, staring up into the abyss, the twinkling stars reflected in her shining eyes. How beautiful it was. She loved the night. It was always so quiet and peaceful. Off in the distance, the cool howl of another wolf echoed over the hills. For a moment the howl sounded familiar. Then she remembered. It was old Phantom calling in her pack, Koran. Ayame spoke of her love that she had not seen since she was young, since she joined List.

Sad. Some manns purposely become rogues and try to get with as many females as possible. She's heard stories bout them, and even a certain Dragga in the territory. "You were not foolish. It is never foolish of any to fall in love. There is probably a certain reason and explanation for his disappearance. I'm sure of it."

Takhi was not sure what else to say to comfort her. Ayame may in fact have felt more for the mann than he did for her. So sad. The cries of the wolves continued. All of them howled their songs into the skies, greeting Tor and the starry spirits among her. With a smile, Takhi rose her snout into the air. As she parted her lips a long raspy howl rolled up her throat. The call pierced the air and alerted the other wolves in the area. Phantom's howl still echoed along with her own.

Takhi lowered her muzzle and smiled. "I quite like the songs of us wolves. It's one of our best qualities. Like birds, we can sing and harmonize and we do so under the eerie, blue glow of our God." Her ears remained alert to the cries out in the distance. When Ayame mentioned where she would venture after their departure, she began to think. Sarnes had basically declared that she was only a pending member, and the haunting Emberlilly would be back to take her the alphas after they decided on what to do with her. "Well, for now I will still wander. Sarnes has yet to give me a howl and accept me. But that's all right. As long as I am patient, I'm sure they will be about for me soon. "

Yes, Takhi had faith in that. It almost seemed that Sarnes was a tad inactive lately. Along her travels, she had encountered many wolves from the other packs, but none were of Sarnes. Maybe they all were having some trouble. "I guess for now I'm still just a Kerl. So I'll be about. Don't ever hesitate to give me a howl." Takhi smiled again and began to pad through the sparkling water.

[Ayame]

Many howls rang out in the clear dark night, the large ebon faes’ auds twitched back and forth listening to the different songs of each varg, harmonizing with each other; it didn’t matter whether they were friend or foe, on this night they all sang together. The scarred fae with her was no exception, she heard her howl ring out loud and clear to join into the beautiful song. In fact the howl was one of Ayames favorite past times; she once again lifted her broad muzzle to the sky and let out a deep howl from her soul.

“Yes my friend I must agree with you on that one, it’s a wonderful song we are able to spread across the lands.”

A smile came across her maw; Takhi was doing her best to comfort her, broken heart and all. Whether or not she believed what she said, it did help Ayame. Images of her cub-hood began to flow into her mind, and the handsome timber wolf that she was so in love with stayed only for a moment before she pushed it from her mind.

The howls continued to echo around the two ebon faes as they continued their journey to the borders of List. Padding briskly through the cool waters, tiny droplets splashed around and clung to her pelt. Most of the droplets ran off her pelt, and fell back to their home in the river, but some sunk in causing her pelt to be weighed down and flat to her muscular body. Fish swimming up stream briefly swam the opposite direction away from the great Putnar crossing the river. As she reached the other side, she laid down the carcass once more; slowly Ayame retreated to the waters edge for one more refreshing drink, water became more scarce the further you traveled up the mountain.

“Takhi, I hope that Sarnes summons you soon, you deserve to have a pack to go home to; to fight for and to live for.”

Her fiery gaze met the green and blue hues of the scared fae, Ayame smiled gently as a way to once again thank Takhi for a wonderful day and a wonderful friendship. She once again picked up the carcass and continued her travels with a great friend by her side.

[Takhi]

Takhi smiled at Ayame's kind words. It was nice to hear them. She too hoped Sarnes would beckon for her. Despite them being fierce a ruthless pack, Takhi could actually hear herself calling them "family." The calls of their fellow Vargs ran on through the night, all vocalizing their feelings, thoughts, and emotions.

Some were sad, others were joyful, and some were even triumphant, like they just took down their rivals in the depths of the night. As of now, Takhi wasn't even sure what emotion she had expressed with her howl. There were so many swimming around in her mind that she was not even sure what or how to feel.

All she knew was that she was glad to have befriended Ayame. Aside from ol' Cinder, Ayame was her closest friend in the territory. But again, she hoped that they would not be forced to battle if List and Sarnes ever became rival packs. If it did happen, both would be forced to choose what mattered more to them; a pack or a friend.

If they possessed true loyalty, as Takhi sensed Ayame did, their packs would be their choice. It would be the choice to sever the bonds of their friendship. Oh, how she prayed that no day like that would come. These possibilities were the reasons behind many pack members; the reasons why they never befriend other Vargs aside from their own.

Takhi liked making friends and to have to relinquish that joy would be somewhat of a travesty. There's nothing worse for a wolf's heart than to survive existence alone. "I too hope for Sarnes to call to me. I've been alone too long now and it's time I change that."

The cross over the river had soaked her pelt and made it cling to the skin beneath it, but it had a cooling effect that soothed her and she felt relaxed and comfortable, ready to continue the trek with Ayame.

[Ayame]

The young, large, ebon fae emerged from the river, her pelt wet and clinging to her sides; her muscles rippling under her wet pelt with every move she made. Ayame placed the carcass down on the sandy river bank and began to shake the water from her body; she shook so hard that the droplets of water left a large circle around her. She looked back to make sure the scarred fae that was with her had made her way safely across. Looking at Takhi she smiled, she was glad to have found a friend, one that she would hopefully keep; seeing how List and Sarnes were neutral, when Takhi did join Sarnes she knew their close friendship would continue on. Deep down the young mid-night fae worried; if for any reason their packs went to war, another one of her friendships would be destroyed. But that was the risk she took being in a pack, one that she would have to deal with if and when the time rose.

“Our travels are almost over my dear friend, soon we will be at the borders to my land and then we must go our separate ways. I hope that if you every need a friend to talk to, or need any help that you will call on me, for I am your friend and I will be there for you. We must hurry now, the hours continue to fly by and the later it gets the angrier my Drappa gets.”

Ayame smiled back and Takhi as a way to say thank you once again and that she meant what she said, if the scarred fae ever needed anything she hoped she would call on her. Her ivory daggers once again punctured the carcass, and she began to trot up the rocky terrain towards List, her home.[/color]

[Takhi]

Takhi smiled as Ayame spoke. Indeed, she would call on her, no problem. They had become good friends and Takhi was not in any hurry to sever that bond. Ayame was her first true friend of this territory and she was glad.

No wolf could have been better. For a moment the fact that she could not be with her often made her a bit upset, but she never dropped her smile. For now Takhi was a lonely Kerl and Ayame was a member of List. Their meetings would mostly be brief, but still pleasant.

"I can tell we are getting close. I'm starting to smell their scent. Faint it is, though. When we part I will look to hear your howl tonight and I will join in the dark's chorus. Even though we can not see each other very often, we can always rely on our voices, right?"

"A few couple howls and we will speak again. When you think I should pad off, you let me know. The last thing I need is for your Drappa to find you with a non-pack member and scold you then snap at me."

Takhi shook her body, the last bits of water blotting the ground. As Ayame galloped off, she followed with quick speed up the stones and rocks, her paws grappling on tight. She was use to this kind of trekking and in a way, she enjoyed it. It made her feel free like a true wolf should be.

[Ayame]

Ayame bowed her head in agreement with the scarred fae by her side. The last thing either of them needed was trouble. Though she doubted that anyone would be about, List had been dead. Pack members were few and far between, they would show up one day and be gone the next. This was one of the main reasons the midnight fae ventures outside of the boarders, to meet other vargs and to hunt. If she never left, she knew she would go stir crazy from being alone and stuck in one place. And on this trip in particular it had served her well. She had met a good friend, Takhi, who was still with her on her travels; one she knew that she would remain friends with for a long time. A smile came across her maw as she looked back at her dear friend padding behind her, she was glad to have a true friend.

Unless you were use to the rocky terrain, getting to List would be difficult for many; but neither she nor Takhi were having trouble they were both used to such terrain. Her large paws pounded the terrain, causing little rocks to fall down the mountainous lands; if you weren’t careful one wrong step could send to falling back to the bottom most likely never to rise to your paws again.

The scent of the boarders were becoming distinct, just over the next cliff would be her home. Ayame trotted onto a flat landing and came to a stop. Placing the carcass down, and turned to face her friend;

“This is where we must part, the border of the pack lands are just over this next cliff and we don’t need any trouble tonight, not on such a wonderful night. I have immensely enjoyed our time together, and I hope it is not our last. And I do hope that Sarnes calls on you soon, you deserve a pack to call your own, you deserve a family.”

Smiling genuinely as Takhi as if to thank her for everything, and she wagged her tail softly back and forth. She was definitely going to miss the scarred fae; a sigh escaped her chest as a sign hesitation, she almost didn’t want to return to List. She walked over to Takhi and laid her head on her shoulder, hugging her to say goodbye.

“Goodbye my dear friend, I will let a howl ring out tonight so that we may join in our song. And don’t forget, all you have to do is howl if you ever need me.”

And with that the midnight fae turned and picked up the carcass and continued to List, alone.

[Takhi]

And so the two trekked up the mountains. It was difficult but not impossible for Takhi. She had traveled up slopes like this in different areas. She learned not to look down and never stop. If one were to stop you would be sure to fall. The rocks and stones were unstable in scattered patches and if a wolf were to settle its weight upon one of those patches, they would cause the rocks to dislodge and fall and it would take them down with them. Ayame had no problem climbing this.

She was a List wolf and List wolves have to venture up here all of the time. It was somewhat like the swamps that populate the borders of the Sarnes territory. If you were to wander in there you must also never stop. What looks like water is actually a deadly mud bath. In some spots it is so thick that it can trap an inexperienced wolf and slowly bring it down below the glassy surface. These treacherous terrains are perfect for defending and protecting packs.

An unfamiliar Kerl would never be able to make it to List or Sarnes. Their territories also protect them from an enemy attack from another pack. One skilled in roaming swamps would never make it up the slopes of List and could perish right where Ayame and Takhi walked. As they neared the highest point of the cliffs, Takhi caught the potent scent that Ayame faintly held beneath her fur. They had reached the borders of List.

Ayame soon confirmed it; this is where they had to part company and continue their travels alone. "I had a wonderful day with you, and don't you worry. I'll have a family someday, and if it's not Sarnes then maybe another pack will take me in." Takhi smiled as Ayame came foreword and gave her the common wolf hug; muzzle upon shoulder. Takhi retune the friendly gesture.

"Goodbye, my friend. I know this will not be the last time we meet. If you ever catch yourself out of the List territories give me a howl and I'll be there." Takhi turned away from Ayame as they bother took off in separate directions. After a few moments, Takhi looked back. Ayame had already disappeared behind the slope the was the List border. As her final goodbye, Takhi raised her muzzle and let her howl echo over the mountains.

"Goodbye for now, my friend."

[dragonking115]

The beginning of her tale? Not a happy one from what Takhi remembered. Being born into a family that didn't really want her was not one of her proud moments, but still if Ayame wished to hear it, then she was glad to tell it.

"Well, I was the third of the three pups my mother gave birth to. I was the only ebony furred baby among my charcoal colored siblings. And from what my mother told me, when I was born, I almost died. Apparently I had the umbilical cord wrapped around my neck when I came out. But my mother got it off just in time." Takhi began to remember what her mother looked like. So beautiful she was before she...

"My mother was called Madge and she was a very pretty wolf from what I can remember. She had a pale brown coat with an even paler underside. Shades of tan, I think. Yeah, that sounds about right. My father was the opposite. He was called Wayk and his fur was a deep, dark chocolate color. You would thing their union would produce some brown pups, but no. They got to grays and a black. Funny how things turn out." Thinking of her past made her remember how her siblings use to make fun of her and make up stories of her being adopted and her real parents being nothing but a rat and a jackal. She growled low in her throat, too low for Ayame to detect, as she remembered them and how she hated them.

"I had a sister and a brother named Baeleh and Jolahn. They hated me and I hated them. When we got older they often would tease me and claim I wasn't part of the family, but I knew I was. They would sometimes bite and scratch me. What hurt even more was that our pack babysitter didn't even care. She was called Pollen and she would go off with my siblings and play with them, not with me. The retched beasts wouldn't even let me feed from the corpses the pack would bring home to us." Takhi laughed a little as she began to tell the next part.

"One day I ran away. You see, my pack resided in a little clearing and the rest was surrounded by woods, so I went into them. I caught a rabbit for myself, and that was my first hunt, at two months old. I began to leave more and more and got in a bit of trouble;e at some points. What was a spirited chase after an elk calf turned into a run for my life as the father of the calf chased after me. And then there was a time when a fox, I can't seem to recall his name, but a fox tried to kill me.

Both times I was saved by an old mann named Blackeye, the leader of the Kerl Pack. The Dragga had gathered together the Kerls of the territories and formed one of the most formidable and dangerous packs of all. But they all were actually nice. That night when the fox attacked, the woods caught on fire. That was the night my pack died. I never really admitted this to anyone, but, " she was reluctant to say the truth to Ayame, but she realized that maybe she couldn't keep it a secret anymore.

"They all didn't die in the fires. My brother, Jolahn died by falling down a mountain slope. He lost his footing when a tree fell in front of us and slipped down. He was still clinging to the rocks and he begged me to help him, but I didn't. I wanted him to die and I watched as his grip gave and he tumbled down to his death.

My sister's death, was not an accident. I pushed her into a river and she drowned. My mother jumped in after her and she smashed against a rock. My father abandoned me after he suddenly became ill. I never knew if he died that night. She looked at Ayame with tears in her eyes. "I hope my past won't affect out friendship. I've done horrible things and I can understand if you become fearful of me."

[Tor]

Dragonking115 - This thread has been marked closed and therefore is no longer a roleplay in action. You might want to save your post and delete it because no one will reply here and I wouldn't want your post to be lost or wasted.