Lost in Summer Winds {Private}

[linnaea]

The sky was clear and endlessly blue on this fine summer afternoon. The trees were verdant, but dry, and their thick trunks seemed to sweat under the sun’s vicious rays of heat, even the shade wasn’t all that cool; and the light breeze did hardly dent the fiery blaze from above.
Though there was at least one spot in this unforgiving summer warmth that was a refuge from the heat, the river. With its sandy banks and crisp cool water rushing by. The breeze was magnified here it seemed, and the temperature along the flow of the tributary was a refreshing break from the sweltering heat trapped beneath the shelter of the trees in the forest.

Tired pads carried a young, though almost fully grown, Varg to the river’s bank. Her pink tongue hung from black lips as she dunked her whole muzzle into the crystalline water for the sweet sustenance that it would provide for her and to satisfy her dehydration. She wasn’t at all used to such heat, and this being the pup’s first summer she had much to learn about journeying in it.
Gorging herself on water the heir to the Deorian legacy drug herself back to the tree line, still relatively close to the water. Her dainty form thumped against the ground as she let herself simply fall in exhaustion. Normally the pup would have quite a bit of stored energy, but it was no longer spring, and though she would be learning the skills for hunting large prey in the coming months, she couldn’t be excited about it when it was so damn hot!

Little Linnaea, the only surviving cub of the famous Drappa, Lucivar, and the brave Dragga, Chalos, panted in quick huffs. Her sides and chest heaved as she watched the waters, vigor only renewed slightly by the coolness here and the drink she’d had.
If one knew her mother they would see Linnaea and would perhaps be fooled for a while. Her pelt was a cream and white colored base, her muzzle, toes, shoulders, haunches, and the base of her tail. Following this was a shawl of brown, just like Lucivar had. However, the similarities in coloration ended there, for though she had the build, she was very much her father’s daughter. Black socks left her legs mostly pigmented, separating her white toes and the cream of the rest of her figure; her belly was black as well, overoed with white splotches - an identical marking of this nature is also on her rump. The only thing not clearly defined by her parents, was the recessive gene of milky brown eyes.
Chalos’ eyes were green; Lucivar’s had been blue - yes with brown flaws; but Linn’s eyes, they were only slightly dark around the pupil and outer iris, the filling in-between seemed almost white.
She would be a very pretty fae when she would fully grow into her large paws and ears, and that thick bushy tail of hers too. She wasn’t large in muscle, but she was tall from her father’s side. Perhaps she might almost reach the male’s shoulders (yeah, with the tips of her ears and when standing on her toes).

The pup let out a sigh. Perhaps she shouldn’t have wandered away from the pack. Father always told her not to stray too far; danger always lurked for a wolf pup - of course other animals had the same dangers as well. What if a bear came along? What about the Balkar?
Perhaps she would run into the beast her father always warned her about too. The creature that had killed her mother. To this day she Chalos never gave her full details about it, he never lied, but never was straight forward. He always said: “stay away from the mountains” or “don’t go to the stone den.” She knew these were warnings, father always got scary when he was giving her warnings. Of course who could say what might come out of the forest. Thinking about it made her nervous. She tapped her pads on the ground as her gaze carried over the terra before her. She saw the deceivingly smooth water, hiding a dangerous current; saw birds soaring and heard them twittering and singing; saw buzzing bees and various insects pass; but nothing seemed to look harmful.

Surely, here, she was alone…

[Kop]

The light of Fenris shone down upon the naked land through the clear azure sea in the heavens, luscious vegetation absorbing its golden rays and hungrily devouring life giving energy needed to sustain themselves. The tradeoff for such favorable weather, for there always a sacrifice for such temperate conditions, made itself known in the form of unyielding heat that sapped the little moisture held by the verdant tree and plants. There was no comfort to be found in the fluid motions of the north winds nor the coolness of the shade which had been uncomfortably warmed by the pervading heat of the day.

Cracked pads shuffling across the dry earth a lone figure, lupine in nature, made his way through the dried grass paralleling the offshore riverbank. Chest heaving he hobbled along the sandy bank, his gait upset from an old wound that had left him with a permanent limp, towards the cascading torrent before him. Maw submersing itself beneath the cool, crystalline surface he drank his fill, welcoming the familiar chill that passed through his body which each gulp. Now approaching his third year of life the young varg was more than accustomed to the unforgiving heat of summer, and knew the best way to counteract it so that he remain comfortable during the long winding days. Nearing adulthood he had already achieved his full size, becoming a towering behemoth of a mann nearly twice the size of his father. Yet for all his size he was powerless against the might of the golden orb blazing brightly in the sky.

Sensing this Kop, firstborn son of Cwen and Draeg, drank his fill before wading into the shallows, cool water lapping gently at his scorched paws. He was unique from his siblings in that he looked nothing like either of his parents yet at the same time he resembled them both. Whereas a majority of his siblings had taken solely after either Cwen or Draeg Kop had inherited an equal amount of traits from both parents, the end result making him a perfect blend of the Geradian alpha’s. His pelt was comprised primarily of a trio of colors passed down by his parents, forming a completely different and unique pelage from either parent. A line of black fur peppered his back like an ominous shawl, running down from the base of his spine to the farthest tip of his tail to cover his back and shoulders; going so far as to extend to his face. He sported a healthy mane of salty pepper gray that sprouted from the base of his skull and ran down to his shoulders like a mullet while from beneath he carried an undercast of white which painted his maw, chest, and legs. His large stature and sharp eyes were in no small part passed on to him through his mother, stony hues mirroring Cwen’s own blue-gray optics. What remained his coat and physique could be attributed to his father, the rusty coloration that painted his haunches, face, and ears had all been passed down to him from his father’s genes.

Water sloshing between his feet the brute ambled further downstream, careful to favor his left side less he agitate his limp further. As a pup he had always been warned to avoid traveling too close to the riverside, yet knowing the dangers had never really been enough to deter Kop. He thrived on the danger and excitement that came from living on the edge, reveling in the challenges that often came with them. Even so he took care to watch his footing, as a kerl Kop couldn’t afford to sustain an injury like a sprained ankle or broken leg. Without a pack to watch over him and nurse him back to health such an injury would surely bring him to a slow and lingering end. Just thinking about it made prompted him to move further inland. Picking out a reasonably comfortable spot near the shore Kop immediately hunkered down, arranging himself so that his body lay partially submerged in the shallows while he rest his head amidst his paws on the sandy bank. Having drunk his fill there was nothing more for him to do but take a nap and regain his strength for the trip back to his den later, and with no one in sight he had little to worry about being surprised.

[linnaea]

{{Sorry, I'm really losing my muse for RPing here}}

Certainly not, how could anyone ever really be alone? There were Varg all over the land beyond the forest. No wolf could be without companionship for too long without running into another. It was just a matter of is it friend or is it foe?

Linnaea got to her feet, watching the figure traveling through the water yards beyond her, she had bushes obscuring her figurine as her milky brown eyes watched the male move through cool liquids to reach the opposite bank and lay down. He was partially submerged in the shallows, little Linn found this to be kind of funny, though she could understand the reasoning behind his motive. It was so hot today, Fenris was relentless in his glare. Even through the sheltering shade of the bush she had moved into it was too warm.

Her thick plume began swaying vigorously, she was excited, she’d never met a wolf who lived outside of Deor, nor had she ever left Deor’s boarders before. Tongue lolling from her mouth she exploded from the bush in a graceful leap, landing a few feet in front of the older male. Her hindquarters raised in the air as she crouched, swaying back and forth from the fury of her tail. “Hi there!” She yipped, her chin resting on her front paws as she seemed to bow to the mann. How exhilarating it was for her to be finally meeting someone who might want to be friends with her. She didn’t really know any of the Deor pups, none of them seemed to want to talk to her much. Nor did she know many of the adults, and Chalos was hardly there anymore too. Even if she did see him the most, she always liked following her dad around.

“My name is Linnaea, what’s yours? Do you wanna play?” Her words were quickly spoken in a honey thick alto. She looked hopefully at her would-be company. Maybe a friend at last had appeared.

[Kop]

Cool waters lapping away gently at his back and hindquarters Kop felt his eyes grow heavy as the first veil of sleep slowly drifted over him. Muzzle splitting a low yawn the grizzled brute crossed his paws, resting his head down upon the sturdy limbs a moment later.

He had almost lost himself to the comforting darkness of his dreams when he became aware of something exploding from the brush, streaking straight towards him. Eyes shooting open in a cascade of grey hues he fond himself staring being rushed by a shockingly small, but fast form of cream and brown fur. “Woah!” Letting out a startled yelp he scrambled to his feet, backpedaling further into the shallows until he slipped and fell on his rump with a wet splash. He hissed sharply as he landed awkwardly on his right side, hind leg twisting painfully causing it to send a surge of white hot fire shooting throughout his entire body.

Taking a moment to recover Kop let out a dull growl, gritting his teeth as he shifted position, easing the tension off his now throbbing leg. Dripping wet and more than a little annoyed the grunting brute found himself staring down at a tiny form that had settled in front of him, tilting his head curiously at the sight of smiling pup. “Eh, hi?” he nodded, not quite sure how to proceed. Back when Kop was still apart of Ge-Rad he had volunteered to babysit regularly, often taking it upon himself to look after his nieces and nephews in order to help out his elder brother and his mate. During his tenure as babysitter he had forged a special bond with Caiomhe whom he had adored as dearly as any parent, and though he had long since lost touch with the beloved wolf hybrid Kop often still looked back on those days fondly.

However that had been moons ago and Kop found that his time in isolation had left him ill equipped to deal with anyone outside of his mate and sister. Gazing down questioningly at the eager pup he woundered if he still remembered how to play, it had been so long since he had interacted with anyone, let alone a pup. Yet he found that one glimpse of her hopeful expression was enough to sway him, warm smile forging its way onto his maw he bent down into a playful crouch. “Sure thing kid. Name’s Kop. Now what are you doing out here all by your lonesome?”

[linnaea]

A surprised expression came to her face, then shifted to apologetic. “Oh, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to scare you.” She seemed pained that she could cause such an emotion, she really wanted a friend, even if it was maybe just for the day. It would be nice to have someone to talk to for once, maybe even learn from. She frowned and dropped her tail, letting it dangle limply behind her. She thought she saw a flash of pain across his face, but it was quickly dissolved as he recomposed.

But then he seemed friendly, she watched him as he shifted into the crouched position and a grin split across her maw, jaws opening to reveal her black lips and pink gums with her adult teeth growing in. It took a while before Linnaea realized she didn’t really know how to play. She’s never gotten much chance to play with anyone… but being a puppy was easy enough, habitual even. She yipped and dashed forward before answering his question. Lunging gracefully and carefully at his font paws. Whether she came down upon him she would gently nip at his legs, tail wagging gleefully, if she missed she would let the shallow water rock around her.
“I just felt like wandering. I’m too old for a sitter now so my dad can’t keep me in once place. Not that he’s around much anyway…” There was a sour note to Linn’s voice, she was so sad her father was so busy, but that was to be expected from the single parent who also happened to be the Dragga of the pack. They didn’t have much spare time for their kids - or so she assumed. She remembered how they used to be practically inseparable, and if not him it was Mist who was watching over her along with her own cubs… But now that they were all old enough there was nothing keeping her tethered to Deor. Well, nothing but the wish for a home, and maybe seeing her dad again and getting some quality time with him. That’d be nice. “Why are you out here alone? Are you a Kerl? I’ve always wanted to meet one. I think it’s really neat! You get to be off on your own.”

She stood up straight, though she still crouched slightly, waiting for him to make any sort of playful move towards her.

[Kop]

Seeing her surprised expression Kop smiled, flicking his tail and rolling his shoulders in a slight shrug. “Meh, don’t worry about it. I should have been paying more attention anyway.” He could see that she felt bad about what had happened so there was no need to make her feel any worse than she already did. Looking down at his leg he sighed, surveying the damage and making sure nothing was sprained or broken. Turning his attention back to the pouting pup he smiled, apparently satisfied with his condition.

Her mood improved by his kind words of reassurance she lunged forward, maw split open in a playful grin as she attempted to pounce him, apparently aiming for his week spot and going for his legs. Moving off to the side Kop sidestepped, letting her sail past him and into the shallows with a slight splash as she sprung into the cool waters. Yipping he batted a paw at the water playfully, hefty paw sending up a brief spray and splashing her before hoping onto the bank, tail flickering behind him excitedly. It had been so long since he had done something like this, he had honestly forgotten how much fun it was to simply cut loose and simply enjoy himself for a change.
There was a sour note to her tone as she answered him, explaining her presence along with her fathers seemingly frequent absence which attributed to her current whereabouts. Given his own strained relationship with own father Kop hardly felt the need to tell the cub anything that make him appear to sympathize what sounded like a simple case of neglect. “Bummer, well what about your mom? Brothers? Sisters?” It seemed strange to him that this pup would be as alone as she made out to be, given the number of scents clinging to her to her pelt he was certain that she couldn’t have been bred from a kerl. Even if she had been at her age Kop had had two brothers and a sister her age to play with, one of which he had pratically been insperable from until they grew older. Of couse this was not including parents, aunts, uncles, and friends, all of which he had been surrounded with at one point or another. If anything he seldom had a moment to himself in those days. “My aren’t you the chatty one?” he chuckled, shaking himself off. “Yes I’m a kerl, I live out here by myself most of the time except when my mate comes to visit me. What about you little one, where do you live?”

((ending kinda sucks))

[linnaea]

//I'm really sorry about this notice, I'm not ditching you I promise if you post while I'm away I'll respond when I get back. I'm leaving for my hometown Sept. 19th. 2008 and I wont be returning until the 27th or 28th. I also cut off the tip of my finger.... so posts and quality might be low as it is hard to type with one hand.//

“Hey!” She barked through laughter as Kop splashed water across her back, she turned and growled lightly bounding forward again and aiming a head butt at his chest. Her cranium pointed downward. However she stopped abruptly, pausing to think about his question stated only moments before. “Well, Mama died before I left the den, so did brother Arous. Papa told me that they got sick during winter, see brother and I were born when it was snowy and white. It’s not Papa’s fault that he’s so busy… Being alpha must be terrible work… He often wishes he had Mama still.” Linnaea glanced sadly at the ground, but then she hopped once and dashed at the male again, her head butt resumed.

She ran round to his side and attempted to bump into his side, if she missed this she would trip over a rock and tumble to her back, legs wriggling in the air - if she hit then she would still topple over beside the male - she would then lay on her side for a while before jumping up to her belly and panting with a grin. Her pink tongue lolled from her mouth as the milky eyed fae smiled up at what seemed to be the only person that she could really talk to.
At his next set of questions she puffed her chest out proudly. “I’m the only living heir to the Deorian line.” Her pride deflated. “I don’t much belong there though… I’m not all that brave or strong… Papa says I take after Mama, but I never really knew her. I don’t think I have what it takes to be in the pack like Papa wishes.” And in truth she probably didn’t, not that she socialized with the pack anyway. Mist was about the only one she knew by name and that was simply because she was a baby sitter for her so much. Linnaea laid her head on her paws, waiting quietly for a moment. Then she sprang to her feat and sprinted away, back to the waters edge and crouched down again. Almost like she was playing a combination of tag and keep-away.

“I don’t mind though, I want to be a Kerl too. Like you. I want to be on my own, I don’t really like many other wolves, they don’t seem to like me either - at least not the ones in my pack.” Her thick plume of black and spotted white waved above her like a banner, she waited again for Kop’s responses and motions.

[Kop]

The sight of the drenched cub before him was too much for Kop to bear, the grizzled dragga bursting out into a fit of uproarious laughter as Linnaea whirled around to charge him. Standing his ground he braced himself for the oncoming head butt the fae was preparing to deliver only to have her stop short of actual impact, pointed auds drooping visibly upon hearing about the sad state of her family. Letting out a soft whine he offered her a quick lick, unable to think of anything worth saying that might be of any comfort. He briefly wondered what it would have been like to have lost Shayla and his brothers at such a young age never even known his mother. Kop shuddered.

He let out a slight oomph as Linnaea suddenly renewed her head butt, bumping into his side and sending him staggering back several steps before toppling back onto the floor. Shaking his head at the young pup he smiled, watching as she bounced to her feet a moment later, smiling broadly, and puffed her chest out proudly. “Heir eh? Well in that case forgive me for not paying the proper respects oh honored Drappa.” Tipping his head he lowered himself into an exaggerated bow, chest touching the sandy soil as he descended low enough to look Linnaea in the eye.
Seeing her distress he batted a playful paw at her, determined to distract her from whatever doubts that plagued her young mind. “Bah, nonsense! You’re brave enough as it is, not many pups your age would be out here all alone. Strength will come with age, you shouldn’t worry yourself thinking about such things. You’re a pup, have fun! These days won’t last forever so enjoy them while you can.” Though he would never admit it Kop missed the days of his youth when he and Shayla had set off on numerous adventures, recalling fondly how they had often managed to avoid both danger and punishment for their frequent escapades. Part of him regretted the way things had turned out, lamenting on everything he could have shared with his sister had they not separated and gone there separate ways. Familiar twinge shooting through his hindleg he shot a scathing glance at the scarred limb, lip twitching ever so slightly in a slight sneer.

“Pack life is overrated, too much stress involved in my opinion. But being a kerl isn’t all fun and games either, think long and hard before you decide what you want to do. If you ever want to relocate to another pack I can direct you to one that will probably take you in, you’d just have to tell them I sent you.” Grizzled tassel flickering behind him he bent down into a low crouch, amused smirk forming on his muzzle as he sprang forward.

[linnaea]

“No, no, don’t bow. I doubt I’m even any sort of Drappa material… I’m rather like my papa, wandering off a lot - though he’s probably doing Dragga things. But I think I would enjoy being a pup more if I had some friends to play with…” It wasn’t sadness that she spoke with but rather thoughtfulness. Indeed if she had someone to share her puppy hood with she would probably be a lot happier. As it stood at this immediate date and time there was no one in her pack that seemed to care to play… or be a puppy. Could it be that Deor was a pack more suited for grownups? “I think Auntie Mist makes a great Drappa anyway!”

With a quick wolfie grin, Linn’s tail paused it’s wagging and she inhaled the fresh air. Summer was a nice month - a little hot, but nice nonetheless. She was simply proud of her lineage. She wasn’t about to challenge the current Drappa, she was too young for that right now. Nope, being a puppy sounded fine, and being a Kerl was even more appealing. “I’ll leave Deor once I’m a better hunter. Maybe I could come find you then?” She sounded hopeful. She could have at least one Kerl friend, that would be nice. Meet with him if she needs company or something like that.
“I don’t know if I would want to join another pack… Papa might not approve.” Linn was thoughtful again, pondering the idea of leaving Deor for a different pack. She was a little nervous about that… perhaps Chalos would not approve of her moving away from him to join some other Dragga. Displeasing her father wasn’t something she wanted to do either.

She hadn’t realized Kop had pounced until his body bowled her over and pinned her on the ground. She gave a surprised yelp, and snapped at his paws and squirmed beneath him. “Oh no! You got me!”

[Kop]

Listening intently to the pup’s insightful dialog Kop sighed, not quite sure to make of what she had just told him. He had heard tidbits of gossip about the famous Chalos from his father during their escape from one of man’s many villages where Kop had been held captive, from what his father had told him the elusive alpha’s wanderings were nothing new. Still the thought of Linnaea being left all alone with no siblings or other pups to play with struck a chord within the grizzled mann, who had developed an intense fondness for pups early on in life. “Well I’m your friend so I’ll tell you what, whenever you want to talk or play you just come find me alright?”

“I’m sure you’d be a great Drappa Linn.” he cooed encouragingly, nuzzling her affectionately. Stretching he took a moment to accommodate his leg and alleviate the stress that had been slowly building up within it, adjusting himself so that his stance favored his good leg. The summer sun felt good on his back, heat forgotten beneath the chill of damp pelt. “Remember though, it’s your life not your fathers. If you want to join another pack or become a kerl that’s your decision, no one else’s. If you still want to become a kerl though just let me know ahead of time and you can bunk with me.”
Laughing Kop gave Linnaea an affectionate nip as she snapped at his paw, putting his maw to her belly and blowing playfully to make a flatulent sound. He could still recall playing similar games with his beloved niece Caiomhe before she had disappeared, departing for parts unknown. Kop often wondered what became of her and her constant shadow, the stepped eagle Tarnak, however always like to assume that the duo were getting along just fine wherever they were.

Turning his attention back to Linn he smiled, lifting his paw and giving her a chance to get up. “How about this kiddo, you look old enough so how about I take you out and show you how to hunt so you can impress your old man the next time you see him?”

[linnaea]

“Alright Kop! I will come find you. But how will I know where you are?” Linn tilted her head, she could track him. She was good at tracking things, her nose was very keen, she was quite apt at finding what she needed, be it her normally absent father, or to find a quiet place to be alone. Either way she was quite good at navigating. “I guess I could track you.” She murmured. Throwing the idea she’d just had out in the air, thought not particularly realizing that she’d vocalized anything. It was one of those moments where you say something, then wonder if you really did just say that out loud.

“Well, yeah… I know it’s not Papa’s life. I just don’t want him to feel like I’m deserting him. Even if he’s not around a lot, when he is he always makes sure to find me and make sure that I am doing well, he’s very loving. Some people don’t believe me cause he’s so big and bearish, but really he’s very sweet.” She smiled, or rather grinned. “But I certainly do want to become a Kerl! With all my heart.” As if to show this point more deeply her eyes gleamed, they shined with determination and the full passion of her decision. To think that just a little while ago the thought was wishy-washy and now she’d made up her mind.
She giggled and flailed her paws when he blew on her belly, begging Kop to stop making such funny noises and tickling her. She squirmed and nipped at him again until he removed himself and she could roll to her side and look up at her new male role-model.

“Hunt?… Me?… Really? I mean it wouldn’t be my first time… maybe the third or fourth… But would you really help me hunt better? I am old enough, and I’m not horrible, it’s just hard to stay downwind you know, and to keep total silent until you get them running. Then you have to keep up with them and not lose sight of your pick.” She rambled a little, but looked hopefully, with her large puppy eyes, at Kop. As if begging - nay pleading - for him to really be telling the truth and not just teasing. She wanted nothing more than to practice hunting skills at this moment.

[Kop]

Kop couldn’t help but chuckle at Linnaea’s excited outburst, pleased to see the young pup estatic about something. “I’m sure you’ll be a competent enough tracker by then but my stomping grounds are just across the river, in the pines just west of the mountains bordering List close to where my mate lives.” Glancing towards the Carpathian mountain range Kop found staring up at pine forest of List, pondering over the fate of his beloved Renn. It was common for the grizzled varg to go moons without seeing a sign of the golden fae, but it had been something both varg had agreed on. Renn had often confessed to him how concerned she was over the changes that were taking place within her pack, should anyone find out about her relationship with the eldest son of Draeg there was no gurantee that it would be accepted by the rest of the pack. Even so Kop couldn’t help but wonder if perhaps something had happened to keep his mate from meeting him. A trip to List would be in order just as soon as he concluded his business with Linnaea.

“He might feel like you’re abandoning him regardless of what you do, if he’s anything like my dad chances are you’re in for a rough time when you decide to leave. With the way my father treated my sister when we were your age it wouldn’t surprise me if you have to sneak out of Deor when no ones looking.” It was a somewhat cynical view of things but then Kop was a pramagmist, there was no point in letting Linnaea think things would be easy for her when she decided to leave Deor. At least this way she might have a better chance of having a plan for when the time came for leave.
Watching her squirm beneath him he was again briefly reminded of Caiomhe and how they used to play similar games together, had she not disappeared perhaps things might have turned out differently than they had. He hoped that she was safe, wherever she was.

“Well then I suppose I can show you few tricks to help you out. Now mind you hunting was always my brother’s specialty and I haven’t been the greatest putnar since I got this limp, but I can direct you in what to do and how to bring down prey on your own. The main thing is to be patient and remember that you’re not going to catch something every time.” he instructed, smiling down at the eager youth as she practically leapt about with excitement. It would be tough, for both of them, but provided he could get her to focus all that energy into the hunt and follow his instructions Linnaea might be successful in scoring a kill. Looking at her Kop was assured that no matter what she would most definitely try.

[linnaea]

“I don’t want to sneak out and leave papa without notifying him. That would just be so mean. I could never do that to him. I’d at least give him hints if I have to sneak out.” Linnaea’s tail was wagging slowly, even at the thought of becoming a Kerl, well it made her excited. Just thinking about how she can live on her own without worrying about her pack not liking her. It was amazingly uplifting. It made her not feel so down about not fitting in because there was a place she could fit in, a place she fit perfectly. Being alone. She was good at doing that, she could sit alone for hours on end and not feel lonely - sure after a couple of weeks, maybe months even, she might miss her family or contact with others. Surely out in the wild there were plenty of other Kerls she might run into. Kop had already offered to be a friend, and he was being one.

“Do you mind if I ask how you got that injury before we go hunting? I didn’t hardly notice it before you mentioned anything, though I did notice the face you made before when we were playing. Did you get attacked by anything?” She tilted her head and her nose twitched. She looked concerned, worried. What dangers lay for her in the wilds outside of Deor? Could she possibly end up wounded as he was too? It didn’t matter, she would survive and be strong, like Kop. He was very strong, becoming a role model of sorts for her too.

//sorry it's so short and choppy.//

[Kop]

Rolling his shoulders Kop shrugged, tail flickering behind him nonchalantly as he hobbled back towards the shallows to get a drink. “It’s your call, do whatever you think is right.” Tongue lapping at the cool, clean waters surging gently through the quiet riverbed he allowed himself a moment to reflect on his relationship with his own parents. His departure had been a quiet affair, no real fuss involved. It hadn’t been anything out of the ordinary really, after several weeks loitering around the pack Kop had simply left Ge-Rad one day and never came back. He hadn’t even bothered to say goodbye to his parents, though in hindsight perhaps he could have taken a moment to seek out his mother and inform her of his decision. Kop hated for her to worry, recalling the poor state she had been in upon his initial return to the familiar meadows of Ge-Rad. He would have to make it a point to go see her again, if only to reassure her that he was okay and check up on her.

Little voice rousing him from his thoughts Kop turned his attention over toward Linnaea who was staring up at him inquisitively, lips curling back in a warm smile as he noted concerned expression masking her features. “Hmm, this? It‘s an old wound, probably older than you.” he chuckled, giving her ear a reasuring lick. “Got it when I was still courting my mate, we decided to meet up beneath an old oak in the forest halfway between Ge-Rad and List. It had been a hard week and we got careless, didn’t notice the pack of men hunting nearby. They ambushed us and long story short I ended up getting shot in the flank with one of their pointy sticks they use to bring down food. Oh my leg healed eventually but it’s been more or less useless ever since, dad patched me up as well as he could but there was nothing he could do to fix it.” As if to agree with him his leg twitched, enciting an annoyed grunt from the grizzled brute. “Anymore questions?”

((it's fine))

[linnaea]

“Can we go hunting now?” She grinned again, diverting the conversation back to the other matter at paw. Learning to hunt better so that she might become a Kerl sooner. Whatever she would learn today she promised herself she would practice until she could make her first kill alone. Then she would be away from Deor, though fall was coming - and she did so remember the winter, she was born in winter after all, and it brought little sustenance even for two young newborns. But her thick plume swayed behind her vigorously with excitement, nothing would stop her from enjoying today. Nothing at all. She’d made a new friend.

But bitterly her thoughts turned to humans. They’d ruined his meeting with his mate. That was unforgivable, but they’d tried to make up for their mistake, that was good. The thoughts filled her head of the stories of dangerous humans and how they always caused trouble for the Lera and themselves. Linn pondered if they ever did any good for the world at all. Pondering why Tor and Fenris would’ve ever created such a horrid thing.
But the hate passed quickly as she again thought of how she would be hunting. For once not with her pack, but with this wise Kerl, someone who could teach her what it’s like to be alone in the wilds. She hoped that she would be a good learner, a good hunter. She was a natural tracker, and she’d committed Kop’s scent to memory already, but tracking would do nothing if she couldn’t take down a rabbit or even better a Herla.