A most Southern Reach (oppen)

[▪ Talar ▪]

The most southern reach..

That was where she was heading, Talar, the Fae, though she had only been in the land for a mere day, she had exploored much of it already, well the Northern parts, but that left out a lot of land. Today, she would head for the southern border of the mountains, quite unknown. She only once remembered this place as a pup, but not fully, seeing one lying hopless on the ground...

Her amber eyes locked on the territory ahead, weaving through the grass like water, her white coat blending in with the glass-like icesickles that hang off the short pines that clip the edge of the meadow. Untill as if she ran the forest like she had if she was born there, she tripped, stumbled over and rolled for a moment. She let out an annoyed grunt and looked back to see her opponent, a rock, sitting in the way, gleaming in the bright but cold sun, teasing her as she lay. slowly she got up, wittnessed pain in her fourleg and squinted as she sat.

A sigh came out heavily from her jowls and her looked about her, remembering Fellack, the loner who had much become her friend, but at the same time, declared a different pack than she, uh..what was his name again?... Fell-ack? She thought suddenly feeling guitly.. she hadn't been looking too hard to see him again. At last she grunted stubbornly at her fourleg and walked off with care. She then reached an openning in the trees, the near-end of the territory, it look beautiful. she was perched on a hill and could see for a few miles into the unknown land in which she came from, but no, her voice shook, she belonged to a pack now, and that made her happy... Then as she was about to turn around, away from the scent markers, a small crack of a twig could be heard, loud and clear behind her. Another wolf, I suppose?

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[RunningStar]

The sun was already spreading its warm rays out of the east when the young pup opened her eyes.They were the perfect shade of sapphire blue, reflecting the sky around her. She had wandered off yesterday in search of a playmate.Her parents hadn't seen their daughter fade into the brush.They were to busy hunting.So the Varg pup padded along the stream,lapping up cool spring water every now and then.She came to a strange scent on the ground,like a message.Little did the cub know that this was one of Talars' packs scent markers,right on a small hill.The pups name was Running Star. She unsuccessfully pounced at mice and lemmings without a care in the world. Running Star soon grew tired and lay down right where she was standing.In a matter of minutes,she was asleep.



Some time later,Star awoke suddenly.Her strong nose had picked up something faintly familiar.Standing up quickly,the youngster crushed a twig beneath her paw,ruining any chances of remaining hidden.

[▪ Talar ▪]

Talar was Yet still wandering around, the meadow, she loved to be here, and some times get away from the strong boarders of her pack. It was yet winter, sun-high and everything around her felt full of life! The crisp snow was melting, but only just a bit. Her young-adult side was gradually fading and her inner pup coming slowly out to play. She jumped up and pounced on a lemming, The white meadow was so open, that lemmings would always expect that the hunter wouldn't even think to stop here to eat. The baracades of mountains surrounding her, it was just one big playpen and she ran, and ran.

Then another lope as she skidded to a stop, below her, a small track, about a pup's size was perfectly preserved in the soft layer of snow, along with a scent of which crossed her's earlier. A pup.. hmm. She started to think back to her pup hood, and the foolish things she had done, the silly mistakes she how only wished to take back. A hidden growl erupted in her mind, but it went silent again. She took her best chance and fallowed the tracks, a pup shouldn't be alone, a meadow is fun, but also a place of danger, hunters, humans.

Talar went on, tracking, the pup hadn't wandered off too far, but the tracks erupted to a breif end, but the scent of the new pup was as strong as ever, she had to be around here somewhere, Talar just not knowing that the tall, dead, snowcovered grasses may be holding her.
Then a crack! a stick, loud enough to make her ear swivle around, a soft sound a breathing, fear maybe? Of her? Talar looked behind her, and sure enough a little pup, female. Just what she'd expected. Though Talar's face stayed calm and emotionless as she turned the whole way around.

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[RunningStar]

Running Star stood in horror as the stranger wolf spotted her. She was suddenly aware of how foolish she had been, running off for such a silly reason. The pup had no idea that this young Varg meant her no harm, and only wanted to care for her. The youngster just had a feeling to flee,not fight as her mother and father would."Why am I such a coward," she thought to herself bitterly, "I should act like a true wolf, brave and strong, not a frightened Sikla." So she gathered her strength, and managed to step forward without giving way to the fear she felt in her heart. Star looked directly at the other wolf, trying to decide if she had come to chase her off, or on the same quest she was:to look for someone to play with. The other female's eyes danced with kindness and tenderness for the pup, and Star decided to take her chances. Star walked straight up to the kind-hearted wolf and laid her ears back in submission."Am I tresspassing on your packs property? Running Star mustered the courage to ask, " or are you to lonely?" The sky was cloudy, a gloomy dark gray,promising snow later in the day. In the field, mice and lemmmings darted around the wolves' paws, within striking distance. A chilly wind sprang up, plastering Star's young puppy fur against her body. She shivered, remembering her first winter. It had been a bitter one, with ice storms and blizzards every week. The young pup stood patienly, awaiting this good-spirited wolf's answer.

[▪ Talar ▪]

Talar took her time to gather her thoughts around the little Fae, and Talar could tell by the look in it's eyes that it was looking deceiving, yet scared. As if if were diciding if Talar would hurt her, or help her. Yet this one wasn't like the others, who'd run away or give up, but she was almost bringing it to Talar's thoughts that she should help it, or even suggesting.

"Am I tresspassing on your packs property?"
"Or are you lonley?"

Talar laughed, well, how should she answer this. Talar took a moment to clear her thoughts, "Well if it make you feel better, this is no pack's territory. No ones owns free land, we call it No-manns... And well I geuss I'm just taking a little time off from my duties..." Talar forced a smile, "And what are you doing so ungaurded out here. You are lucky the Balkar don't catch you. Them mights pick on anything they see, like crows... Though, don't think everyone is either good or bad. Talar's face went serious, she'd know, from her experiance. Some like me. She looked at the pup. She examined, the pup almost resembled herself, a young one, thinking she was invincible, all friends would stay friends. No, till today, even her packs allies, wern't always hers. There were some in close rang packs that she had secret vendettas against. "Well, I guess I shall tell you my name lassy, I'm Talar, Talar of Ge-Rad," And Talar let out a nice, short smile. As then at the same time snow fell trickling form the sky, falling, swirling in its wonderous ways, winter, or for Tor created winter.

[RunningStar]

Running Star stood tall, holding her head high. She would be brave in front of this adult wolf. The snow swirled around her small paws and plastered her fur against her body. She nodded and said "It's niceto meet you Talar. I am Running Star." She couldn't feel the bitter north wind through her thick coat. If one were not outside, they would think the day warm. The sun shone brightly through breaks in the clouds, but not at all warmly. "Fenris must be angry today." thought the she-cub. All the Varg thought that this would be Wolfbane's Winter, because it was normally warmer by early March. Star shifted on her pawws, not daring to look into the other wolf's eyes. anger rose quickly in a hungry wolf, tensions high. To avoid a fight, the little pup pulled her ears down to her head and tucked her tail between her legs. Then she whimpered, "Does no-mans land belong to Man?" The wolf pup felt slightly better now, having spoken to another wolf. "Well," she thought, " I might as well make a new friend." So she bent down, wagged her tail and invited Talar to play with her. The snow was beginning to cover her tracks from where she had come. It had started to snow harder, with pure white flakes as big as a Varg's eyes opened wide in the night. The pawprints softened, then disappeared altogether.

[▪ Talar ▪]

Talar dipped her head, she made a slight smile. It seemed to her that the young wolf had much to learn, but Running Star was smart, yes, very smart. "Well it is joyous to meet you running star" And Talar blew out her nose lightly her ears perked up. The sun above her started to dot occationally, cloud cover for a minute making the world seem a shade darker, then the cloud would pass, but only until yet another quickly came. The suns strength was great, yet it seemed like the sun was more like ice due to the fact it almost felt there were no sun. Luckly like all wolves at this time of year grew thick padding on their paws, and even thicker winter coats only whom Men desire.

"Does no-mans land belong to Man?" running star spoke, and Talar wasn't that surpries. Running Star was quite young to know that, she shouldn't have been so vague.

"Well..." Talar said while she thought how shall I put this?.. Her eyes lightened and the streaks down her eyes made them look like marbles shining in the dotted-sun. "You see, human go wherever they like. Mann, is a he wolf, Men is human.[confusing? I know]" She tilted her head aside to point out the land out herself as if a teacher in a lesson, "When we say no-manns land it means 'free land' where anyone can hunt and roam to their wishes, baisically the area that sits in between packlands. Kerls, other wise known as the packless wander around these places. Watchout though... they can get quite mean." Talar took a breath, "I am from a pack known as Ge-Rad, a land to the west of here." The Fae explained, hoping she made any sence at all to this wolf. Hoping even a smile in reassurance.

Here this is the map of the land, might help you :] click here.

[RunningStar]

Running Star tilted her head. It was all very confusing, this mann and man. She smiled at the kind wolf who was teaching her so much of her knowledge. Star thought to herself, "Wow, i never knew how much there was to learn." The sun would periodically come out from behind wispy clouds, but it didn't really matter because the sun gave none of its warmth. Running Star stood tall and looked at the older wolf. She cleared her throat and began, "You can call me Star if you like," Then the young wolf wagged her tail, at last feeling comfortable around Talar. Night was fast approaching. The sun began to dip behind the scraggly clouds. There was one big problem though. Running Star's tracks had been covered by snow, and her scent was no longer there.

By the time the last rays of the serene,glowing sun went down, Star was growing frantic. She didn't know the way back to her home pack. Not only that, the Varg pup hadn't had anything to eat in 6 days now. Her stomach growled loudly. The pup tried to quiet herself, but found it quite difficult to concentrate. She was weary after such an exciting day. So Star curled up into a tight ball with her whip-thin tail attempting to cover her nose and closed her eyes, trusting that Talar would give warning if danger approached. Soon the pup was asleep, dreaming of her proud parents and how they would welcome her back home with caressing licks and loving baths.

[▪ Talar ▪]

Talar smiled wearily as she gazed, standing looking at the sunset, "Yes, and not even I know it all. Not even I know that I am right, Star. It's a mystery, life is." She was watching into the sunset, and it was queit for a while. All you could feel was the light spring cold and see the vibrant colors lighting up the sky with pinks, blues, purples, reds. And Talar herself wondered what it would be like to run up and play around Fernis as he went to bed and Tor took up her night shift, but she'd have to wait for that, wait till she died. And when death came, not even she knew.

Talar began to yawn, and she heard a stomach growl loudly, and at first it surpriesed her. But looking down she saw that Star was lying, almost asleep in a ball of fluff. Poor girl. Talar thought sympathetically. She looked around the meadow, knowing danger rarley ever came here, and Talar scented the wind. It wouldn't do her any harm to hunt for someone every once in a while. It wasn't like her, but Talar, deep down has always had a big heart no matter how tempered she could get. So still keeping the young Star in sight, she couted a ways across the meadow, tracking, and luckly Spring was here and the Lera were awakening, so there was always more to eat. She was tracking her second rabbit now, hiding in the dead brush covered in flakes of snow. And so far, the sun was almost invisible, she had to hurry. Her night vision kicked in and slowly taking another step, the rabbit broke and bolted, but Talar (being one of her many tries to recatch it) found out its strtedgy and fallowed it swiftly left, and with a large leap fell onto it and broke it's neck.

At complete nightfall Talar was back at Star's side with two rabbit and three feild mice. It was hard work, but the Fae had nothing better to do. She dropped it near Star, an offering.

[RunningStar]

In the hours just before sunrise, Star awakened to the smell of fresh meat. The smell of blood got stronger as she became more aware of her surroundings. Acting on instinct, Star sniffed the air excitedly. She ate the 2 rabbits gratefully. She was touched that Talar would hunt for her. Star accepted it as a sign of friendship between them. A wind rippled through the grass. The first warm rays of the sun made the morning dew shine. Star saw Talar upon a ridge, watching the sunrise. The sky was clear and crystal blue. Running Star could tell that there was a change in the air. It was going to be warm that day. Star padded up beside Talar. The world seemed so perfect. An unexplainable hope welled up in Star. She could feel the wonder of spring. It was in her heartbeat. It throbbed in her vains. She was at peace with herself. A single cloud drifted lazily across the brightening sky. Running Star dropped 2 of the field mice Talar had caught for her. She nosed the limp figures toward the adult. In this time of year,when the Lera were still a bit wary of predators,one had to keep up her strength. Star whined to get Talar's attention. The elder wolf looked down. Star just thought of a question. "Talar, do you think you could teach me to howl?" A look of surprise came across Talar's face, then, amused, she graced Running Star with a wolf smile.

[▪ Talar ▪]

Talar smiled as she watched the young wolf eat peacefully, and Talar decided to take a mouse for herself and began to narrowly chew on the flimsy bones. She felt pleasant now laying into the Field, the yet cold air getting a bit warmer as the sun rose from it's sleep. Fernis. But then she heard something from Star and swiveled her ears over to hear. "Howl you say?" Talar questioned, "Why haven't your parents howled with you yet on your first day out of the den?" Talar was almost joking, but then say the truth on the young face. Perhaps not everybody's family is traditionally caring. Then Talar looked at the ground and felt the rough surface beneath her paws "A howl... A howl isn't just a song. It's mainly your own way to express your feelings. Happy, sad, lost, thanks, hunger, or in loss of a loved one." She listed, and took a breath gathering thoughts, "A howl is the spirit of the varg within you, something you cannot really learn or teach, but just something you have to trust your oneself to do. And once you've got it down... you never will forget. Just fallow me, take a deep breath and let all of your worries pass into voice, and sing to the gods in thanks."

Thats when Talar took a mighty breath and placed a sturdy stance in the ground. Then the tip of her nose raised to the morning sun and her maw formed a small opening as she breathed. That breath came with a sound. And Talar sang, she sang for acceptance and teachings. A howl is a very important figure of ones life, useful whenever they are in distress. And talar kept howling, waiting for Star to try herself; she wanted to hear what this wolf would reach for in the skies.

[RunningStar]

Running Star listened in awe as Talar howled. It seemed so much better than her little squeek. Star thought about what Talar had said. Her parents had howled to call all the adults to a hunt, but the pup hadn't been taught yet. Star had felt times when she was so frustarated that she growled to loudly, but she hadn't thought about howling. "Well," thought Star, "even if I'm no good, I'm going to be a true Varg and learn." With that, Star tipped her head back, formed a small O with her mouth, and sang to Tor and Fenris, thanking them with a high-pitched wailing sound. Her howl ran in perfect harmony with Talar, rising up, and falling down. When she could howl no longer, Star stopped to catch her breath. The young pup looked to Talar, who went on howling for what seemed like an eternity. When she stopped to catch her breath too, Star looked up at Talar, proud of herself and waiting to see if Talar felt the same way.Intending to prove her strength to Talar, Running Star set off across the Meadow. She called out after Talar, "Don't worry, I'll be back with a surprise for you!" Star bounded across the clearing, determined to catch a Lera of her own. She immediately began to ponder what Lera was available to her."Let's see, there's mice over there, and squirrel over there." Star said to herself. The young pup was still mulling over what to catch for Talar when a brindle-colored mink jumped out from his den. Star wrinkled her nose at the musk of the mink. "I'm doing this for Talar," Running Star reminded herself. Silently, Star crouched and waited for the mink to pass by. When he came close enough, Star pounced. She was too late though. The mink had smelled her moments before and fooled the pup. Grumbling to herself, Star continued deeper into the forest. A few minutes later, by accident,Star came across the mink's female mate. She was pregnant, and easy but dangerous prey. The mother would do almost anything to protect her unborn babies. Fortune smiled upon Star that day. Crouching low once again, Star started to slide forward on her belly. She got as close as she dared, then settled down to wait. The friendly south wind blew her scent away from the unsuspecting mother. The mink was busy gathering food to feed herself and her soon-to-be-born kittens. When her back was turned, Star gathered her legs beneath her, ready to pounce. the youngster felt like a giant spring. Then, Star jumped, never taking her eyes off of the mink. Once she felt warm fur in her mouth, Star closed her jaws. The surprised mink fought desperately. Star received several cuts on her face and an ugly,jagged scratch on her side. Running Star bit down harder, and endured a bite on her puppy ear before the hopeless battle ended. Star tasted juicy warm blood in her mouth, and knew she had won. Excitment welled up in her. "Just wait til Talar sees what I brought her!" thought Star to herself.

Proudly carrying the still figure in her mouth, Running Star ran back to the Feild, cringing away from the angry snarl of a badger as she ran over his den. The mink was actually quite heavy to Star. Soon, Star was dragging the stiffening body across the ground. When the Feild came into view, Star wagged her tail wildly. She used up the rest of her energy to lope up tp Talar with the mother mink in her mouth. Exausted, Star flopped down on the ground beside Talar after depositing the dead animal in front of the older wolf. Before taking a nap, Running Star looked up to see what Talar would do for all of her hard work.


Sorry about the godmoning, didn't see it in the rules when i read them.^_^

[▪ Talar ▪]

Ooc|Oh that's okay, lets just say this is a learning thread for you! :]

Talar howled her song, and felt even more joyous when Star had joined in. And even though her howling wasn't as strong as a normal wolf's. Talar was still glad she had tried, a fairly well job for a young-blood her age. Talar stopped howling for a moment, catching her breath and looked down at the pup and began, "That was really goo--" Talar began to say, but before she could finish Star had already said she'd be back with a surprise, and was off like the wind. Talar couldn't help but have herself laugh at this. What joy a young spirit had began to bring her. Star had reminded Talar of herself when she was younger. Always threading on uneasy paths and just wanting to get better and better. Talar watched as the pup bounded across the field and disappeared for the hunt. Talar stretched her legs and laid on her stomach in the tall grasses, bathing in the sun. Relaxing. She needed it. The warm day, and even though Talar knew she should be back in Ge-Radian boarders, Talar didn't mind and instead thought selfishly. They don't need me anyways... I'm just.. another.. I don't even have a ranking. They only lets me in because I was being impossible Talar smirked at this. She was needed and she loved it in Ge-Rad, but sometimes she just had those kind of days.

Before she knew it she saw the young star coming along, dragging a large-bellied mink in her mouth. Talar almost gasped. For the prey was just about as big as Star herself. A big smile came upon Talar's maw and she felt proud, as if this young wolf were her own, "Wow, that one stuffed mama!" Talar laughed with a gleam in her eye, "You know, sometimes in packs, when a young wolf catches her first great kill. She has the honor of eating it herself. For perhaps you could even bring it home to your parents. I'm sure they'd be thrilled!" Talar said, almost a bit of envy in her voice. This young wolf would word as a perfect Ge-Radian. But Star looked so tired as she lay in the grass, Talar gave the pup a little nuzzle, "But first, I think you've worked so hard already. Take one last nap before my duties rely me to depart."

[RunningStar]

It was late into the evening when Running Star awoke. Her small body ached from her battle with the mink mother. A tiny whine escaped Star as she struggled to stand up. The scratch she had received on her side was beginning to heal. The lifeless body of the mink lay where she had set it earlier. As Star blinked, a shadow passed over her. The hackles on her back and scruff raised instictively, for large birds had been known to pick up full-grown goats before. A shriek sounded in the air as the eagle soared away. She relaxed as it flapped its way toward the distant horizon. Star looked around and saw the thing she had been hoping to find- the unmistakeable bright green of new grass. Excited by her discovery, the young pup howled with joy. When she was done, Star sat back on her haunches and sniffed at the air. A humid breeze rippled through the air. "Finally," thought Star, "summer is coming." Star longed for the days when she would feel the soft grass between her paws, the warm wind blowing through her fur, and best of all, the sense of freedom that none of the other seasons had. The young Varg pup savored that feeling. As she stretched, Star noticed the first stars coming out. The Wolf Trail would soon be in the deep blue sky. It saddened Star that her new-found friend, Talar, had to go so soon. She decided that if Talar didn't want the mink for herself, she would bring it to her parents. When the last rays of the sun had dipped behind the land, Running Star asked, "Talar, do you have to go?" Then she pricked her ears and waited to see how her friend would respond.

[▪ Talar ▪]

A quick reveiw of the day would tell that much was learned, and much discovered. But the sun was rearing it's rays to the edge of the world, and soon it would be time for Talar to go. And Star had already feussed it. Talar nodded her head almost reluctantly to the pup, before she hadn't been too fond of clumsy yearling, but Star had changed her pespective on that. "Yes, I beleive I do. And I also beleive that you shall be a great wolf when you grow up. Why don't you take that back to your parents, and I shall get on my way. Hopfully we will meet again once you are older, and I shall give you a lesson on fighting. " Talar ended her last scentance in a chuckle and gave the pup a breif nuzzle with her nose. And sighlently took off, southeast to Ge-Rad. Thundering paws, heading fast is a delicate form. Don't look back, and head to where you belong. I do hope I see you again, experianced and trial. Till then Star. Her mind thought through to little motive speech, but now, Talar had to concentrait elsewhere.

THE END

ooc| eek, sorry it's so short and rushed wolfdreamer, but it is quite a busy time for me x) happy role paying!