The Thunder crashes, the Lightning flashes. (Open)

[Casanova]

The howling wind sounded like a hundred angry wolves howling into the dark, gloomy night sky. The twinkling stars were hidden by the dark, bitter storm clouds, just waiting to rain a torrent of misery. The barren landscape of the snow-capped mountains sent a sense of dread through the young, three moon old black mann. Casanova's hunger gnawed at his stomach, and he found it almost unbearable. The sad and depressing memories of the past few moons sprung tears of loneliness and grief for those whom he had lost. His sleek black fur protected him from the cold weather, and his bushy tail barely wagged as he ascended up the slope of a steep looking mountain.

The eeriness of being alone in the oncoming storm made Casanova frightened, and he desperately scanned the area around him as he climbed higher and higher into the strong, gusting wind that often nearly made him lose balance. His intelligent brown eyes were filled with a sense of dread, and his tired, travel sore paws screamed at him for rest. His thinning body didn't have much energy left, and his breathing was laboured. A sudden burst of strong wind pushed the youngster to the hard, snow bound ground, making him yelp in shock. Angrily, he turned his proud maw up to the sky and snarled, “ Tor and Fenris, why have you done this to me? Why have you ruined my life? Have I done something to displease you? ANSWER ME!”

A dry sob erupted from his open jaws, and he firmly clamped them shut, the cold biting at his sharp, white teeth, His voice cracked slightly as he howled mournfully into the wind, his howl drifting South towards the Land Beyond the Forest. With a guilty feeling nagging at him, he glanced back for the last time at his birth land and presumed home. He snarled angrily at the memory of his aunt, who had murdered his mother, his two sisters and his two brothers. He snarled furiously as he remembered seeing his brother Ulrike captured by a lone fae, and he angrily swiped his muddied paw at a hardy shrub, which snapped. Casanova glance past the shrub to see a crevice etched into the mountainside, well camouflaged by rocks and dead shrubs.

Hardly daring to believe his eyes, Casanova angled towards it, his paws eager to get to its sanctuary for rest. Hope flickered in his eyes, and he cautiously scented around the entrance of the crevice, noting with relief that he could scent rabbit, though he did not know how to hunt properly yet.

The ebony mann trotted wearily into the damp, dark crevice, its low ceiling high enough for a full grown Varg to walk in with room to spare. The crevice lingered through the mountainside, and Casanova estimated that three to four vargs could rest in here with plenty of room. Settling near the entrance, Casanova savoured at being out of the wind and rain, and shook his pelt of droplets of water. Panting slightly, he rested his drooping head onto his front paws and sighed in content, his eyes half closed.

Suddenly a flash of lightning sent him to his feet, and he trembled furiously. He backed into the crevice further and whimpered. the angry rumble of thunder emitting into his ears, and his eyes rolled in fear. Casanova curled up on the hard ground and rested his head yet again on his paws, his ears up and alert for any sign of lightning or thunder. He knew he would not be able to sleep with the storm going on outside.

[Zukozu]

Spring’s weather was unpredictable. At the best of times Fenris shone down on the land with a mild, easily tolerable heat that simply warmed the multiple terrains and the inhabitants; cooler than summer and warmer than autumn or winter. Yet at the worst of times wind and rain stirred up life in low-grounds, on the Carpathian range however it often whipped up a storm. A great mass of grim charcoal tainted clouds rolled and bubbled in the skies above Transylvania, dropping their hoard into every open space and every crevice that it could find its way into. The mountains were not just affected by the consuming rainfall but battered and beaten by savage winds in conjunction with each other. No lera in their right mind would travel the brutal landscape in the present weather conditions. Unfortunately for one particular varg who had wandered into this unforgiving terrain, there was one not so right-minded faemme following close behind their scent trail.

Long slender limbs cycled rhythmically beneath an even leaner and well structured body, climbing the rocky setting with great ease despite the battering winds that threatened to knock her slight structure over in the most brutal of fashions. A long feathery tail bounced from side to side with each light tread made by delicate paws, causing a tempo to begin in the faemme’s mind as she followed the trail of a young male varg higher and higher into the mountains. Her ebony pelt was of the blackest blacks, so rich that she appeared to be a shadow herself if not for her most striking feature of all, magnificent ember lanterns that glowed in her eye sockets and seemed to flicker like fire in the rain sheeted atmosphere.
Halting for a mere moment, Zukozu rose her willowy head above shoulder level and peered into the gloom ahead and all around her, wondering whether or not she could spot the little runt yet. She had left the scummy lands of Sarnes one sun ago in search of some fresh blood to toy with, it just so happened on her wanderings she came across the most delectable scent of a young mann who was heading straight for the Carpathian peaks. Feeling that it was indeed time for a change in scenery, the ebony bitch had chosen this kerl as her new prospective toy.

Taking another couple of vigorous steps forward, double checking she was still on the right trail, her fiery lanterns caught sight of a large fissure in the rocks ahead. The scent was strong here and she knew that a varg would seek out a shelter like this under such awful weather conditions – despite the fact that she personally loved the change and challenge of nature’s fury. A giggle quivered lightly in her throat as a malicious grin played upon her sleek muzzle.
Taking a more subtle approach towards the grotto’s entrance, Zukozu’s skin began to prickle with excitement and exhilaration with the prospect of having a little fun – it was something she sorely was in need of. When reaching the mouth opening, the obsidian wench stood tall, her tail erect and auds perked forward to pick up any sound of fear or weakness; something she used to fuel her hunger. At that moment the heavens thundered and a ragged bolt of lightning ignited the skies behind her, casting a long shadow into the spacious cave. Curled up tightly at the back, huddled fearfully against the wall lay the young black pelted mann she’d spent all her time stalking. A toothy grin spread across her face as she awaited his response, eyes ablaze with sheer delight.

[Casanova]

Frightened, Casanova whimpered and shook in fright, his bushy tail retreating to in between his legs. An older, ebony coloured fae standing by the entrance of the crevice, her maw spread in a grin. The younger ebony mann cowered under her gaze, and gulped slightly. His nerves had been on end since he had ventured into this forsaken region. Oh how he dearly wished for the company of his family, who had abandoned him in times where the Lera were scarce. A fury awoke in Casanova, one which he knew he must of been born with, and he snarled angrily at the intruder and rose steadily to his paws. His hackles rose as his voice cried out,
"What is it you seek from me, fae? To pester me? To make fun of me? To taunt me? Answer me, for I have not the patience anymore,"

Lowering his weak and starving body to the cold, hard crevice floor, Casanova glared sullenly and miserably into the ember orbs of the fae. He studied them, trying to read what she was like; was she good, bad or neutral?

A heavy sigh flowed from his maw as he turned his back rudely on the faemme, for he was not expecting an answer from her. How did she come to be here where he was staying? Had she been following him? A small shudder crept down his spine, and he thought miserably of his family.

(Sorry that it isn't that good)

[Zukozu]

The pup cowered in her shadow; his brown eyes alight with sudden fear as his body trembled and reeked of the fright. Inhaling deeply through her muzzle, the ebony wench drank in the taste of terror and allowed a light chuckle to shake her delicate chest. It had been far too long since she’d last tasted that delectable flavour of fear and worry for one’s own safety. Though the truth for this sudden stalking of a young victim was not to harm nor strike the poor lad, she had another plan in mind that was a lot more...comforting...

A sudden change in the youth’s attitude caught her attention immediately and her auds perked in surprise as he stood tall, throwing out his voice in frustration and fury. It was certainly amusing, so of course Zukozu didn’t hesitate to hold back a light chuckle that rose in her throat. She bothered not to respond to his harsh and rather rash response to her sudden appearance and instead made her way into the shelter and out of the billowing wind and rain outside. Shaking her pelt thoroughly she expelled droplets of water up the cave walls and onto the youth before her. Ember hues caught sight of his small frame retreating back to the cold, stony earth and curling up once more before he turned his back on her. Perfect, he was in a state of depression and loneliness. This was the perfect opportunity to throw her false facade upon him and smother his fears with her love and tenderness.
Zukozu reformed herself almost instantaneously, flattening her broad auds across her cranium and softening her hard fiery eyes she let out a light whine and allowed her feathery tassel to drop and wag back and forth in a friendly fashion. Padding in towards him she lowered her body until her belly touched ground and she halted, nudging his rear end with her wet nose and waiting silently for him to react.

When nothing happened she held back her impatience – as she knew fine well that it would take a lot to break even the most naive of cubs – and lowered herself into a laying position, resting her head upon outstretched forepaws. It was obvious he was not more than a few moons old and unable to win any kind of tussle with her so the chances of him even trying were meagre, there was no reason for her to hold her ground and prepare for a strike. “Now now young one, there’s no need to fear. These mountains and this weather is enough to put terror into the hearts of even the strongest varg out there. Why don’t you tell me what brought you out here all on your own, hmm?” she soothed on husky, melodic tones. Zukozu was wicked to the core, yet she played the good side a little too well for some to not believe her blackened heart was truly there.

(it's ok, mine wasn't too great...)

[Casanova]

The ebony mann did not even attempt to flinch as he felt the slight pressure of the faemme's wet nose on his rear end. He closed his eyes briefly, hiding the emotion in his enquisitive brown orbs, the feeling of lonliness and despair wafting through his very soul. A clap of thunder stirred up a slight fright in him, but he refused to admit his emotions to the stranger. He blinked in surprise when the ebony fae said in a husky and convincing voice, “Now now young one, there’s no need to fear. These mountains and this weather is enough to put terror into the hearts of even the strongest varg out there. Why don’t you tell me what brought you out here all on your own, hmm?”.

Casanova turned his body to face the fae, who was also lying down, and cleared his throat. He answered in a frightened tone of voice, one of which he had no control over, " My family caused me to come and encounter these horrible mountains! My pappa's pack in the North had been befallen by a lot of death, and I was the only cub to survive, for my evil aunt slaughtered my brothers, my sisters, and my precious mamma! Pappa was furious, and he killed her, and my other brother, Ulrike, was taken by a crazed loner, and my pack abandoned me because the Lera were scarce." he inhaled deeply, his heart pounding, his heart filled with sadness and lonliness, and the feeling of not being wanted.

Oh how he dearly hoped that this seemingly kind hearted fae would help him out of his despair and troubles! Oh how he wished that were true, oh how he dearly wished! Casanova sobbed and without warning buried his maw into the ebon fae's fur, his eyes clamped shut.

[Zukozu]

Thunder rumbled outside as the freak storm continued to bash and batter against the mountainside, lightning following soon after the thunder declared that the heart of the storm was very close to their shelter. The young pup quivered as the booming echoed and bounced off the cave walls, causing their innards to drum with the sound. Zukozu felt no fear for this weather; hell she’d faced death on several occasions and had simply learnt not to fear anything – she was doomed for Wolfbane’s jaws one day, so why not live life to the fullest?
Casanova’s small head lifted and turned to face her now, his deep brown orbs full of sadness and terror at both what had happened to him and what prospects lay ahead; they were going to be grim if Zukozu had her way with him. An explosion of juddering words fell from the youth’s maw as he explained his troubles and woes over the past moon or so – and in truth they did seem rather melodramatic and shocking for any pup to face. Zukozu’s cubhood had been full of drama itself though on a much different scale to this. Her pack life had been one twisted by insecurity and distrust. It was concluded why when at last her uncle Serg, the previous First of the Balkar, had come to visit her father and stirred up all sorts of trouble. Since that day she knew she was destined for greatness...that greatness however she was still working on achieving.

Barely listening to the young mann as he blabbered about his past the ebony bitch was brought back sharply to the present day when he threw himself into her and burrowed his way into her pitch pelt. Resisting the urge to snarl and nip him for his sudden show of affection and emotion, Zukozu breathed in deeply, raised a foreleg and placed it down on top of his small black frame in the same manner a human would wrap an arm around a small child to comfort them.
She allowed him to sob dryly into her fur, thanking Wolfbane all the while that wolves were unable to shed water from their eyes and so damped her fur further with his tears. Shifting her body round to make herself more comfortable, Zukozu removed her leg from him and peered down into his face with her fiery hues, raising her brows to create a sorrowful expression. “My my, that is awful young one! No wonder you’re afraid of the shadows. Tell me, what is your name?” she enquired with what appeared to be genuine interest, her tones gentle enough to avoid an echo in their grotto.

[Casanova]

The gentle warmth of the ebon faemme relaxed the young mann slightly. His heart was still pounding, and a flash of lightning emited from outside, which was quickly followed by the angry rumble of thunder. Casanova felt secure when the fae put her foreleg around his slender composure. He sighed deeply, and thought back to the events of the past.

At the sound of her voice, Casanova shifted his position so he could look at her fully. He inhaled deeply, his chest and stomach rising and falling, and replied, his weak sounding voice creating a slight echo, " My name is Casanova. May I ask for your name?" he smiled weakly at her, and sniffed.

The wind blew tiny droplets of rain into their shelter, and Casanova growled in annoyance as one droplet entered the domain of his right eye. Snapping at the air, the sly little cub rose to his paws and retreated a bit from the entrance, so that the rain droplets would not annoy him. He was fortunate that his pelt was thick, for he was a Northern wolf. Casanova growled at the fae, " It's drier over here!" he grinned sheepishly at her before laying his head onto two black paws.

[Zukozu]

As moments passed in silence, the youth gaining back his courage and strength as she reluctantly cradled him, Zukozu’s mind began to work wildly on where this brief meeting would finally end up. The last whelp she’d picked upon to mould and train into becoming the ultimate sacrifice for Wolfbane had proved herself worthy in the end, though the sacrifice had not gone quite as Zukozu had planned for the great God had wanted something more...something other than just the lowly little runt she’d brought along. Channon, as the ebony wench had dubbed the youngster, had mingled well with the pack of Sarnes, but eventually she got the courage to sneak off and leave the sinister packlands. It didn’t faze the bitch in the slightest as there was no motherly instinct in the cold hearted niece of a Balkar. Though the time was coming round again when another little piece of meat should be trained and shown the world in which they live for the preparation of meeting the greatest God Transylvania writhes under.

Thoughts were sharply returned to the present moment as the ebony youth piped up his vocal chords and announced his name to her; Casanova. Well that certainly was an improvement on the last one’s name; Amber. Casanova sounded like a pioneer of great strength and promise; he would most certainly not need a new name to replace that at least. Satisfied with what she heard, Zukozu nodded slowly in response to him before returning her own name-sake. “What a proud name you carry young one. My own name is Zukozu, daughter of the elapsed Sagt and Morwen. More importantly niece to the great Serg,” her husky words drew power from the last name that was uttered and for an instant her fiery auds flickered like that of wildfire. The moment passed swiftly as she composed herself and smiled kindly down at the youth as his attention was clearly disturbed by the droplets of rainwater that were falling in from the cave mouth. Silently thanking Wolfbane for the distraction, she watched as the young Casanova picked himself off the stony floor once more to retreated further back into the shelter.
Forcing a light hearted chuckle at his bashful expression, Zukozu got up onto her long limbs and stretched herself out briefly, ridding her limbs of their sudden stiffness before trotting over to him and sitting down in a more comfortable position, once more allowing him to snuggle in and be drawn into a false sense of security. “So tell me young Casanova, what do you plan for tomorrow? The sun after tomorrow and so forth? Have you thought about your future?” she enquired lightly, knowing that if he had too much to think about, eventually his lids would droop and he would sleep through the storm. Zukozu needed more time to think, silence to ponder over her thoughts in peace without the runt interrupting her every two minutes. If he never slept, then at least she might get some information out of him to work with in the future.

[Casanova]

Casanova snuggled up closer to Zukozu and pondered what she had said. The ebon mann wrinkled his nose slightly as he looked up at the ceiling, examining the different patterns in the rock. Casanova had never really thought about what his plans for tomorrow was, let alone his furure! He sighed quietly, his head buzzing with thoughts and feelings. He only knew that he wanted to get away from these mountains and maybe find a pack, but would they accept such a young male? And what packs were there? Casanova had only heard of one pack, the Balkar, who, he heard, were made up of strong male wolves.

Eventually he growled, " I didn't really have a plan for tomorrow or the next sun, but I know that I wish to leave these mountains and find a pack, but I don't really know what the packs are called," he smiled weakly, his eyes full of worry. How was he to survive if he did not know what packs there were? He curled up and crept slightly closer to the ebon fae, glad of her warmth. He hoped she could help him find a suitable pack in which to join.