The Ill Wind

[Squeeji]

It was almost the changing of the seasons for Kloteck, of any lands it would be autumn, the leaves changing, and the coolness grasped the throat of a faltering summer.

However, Arnlan didn't see seasons like most of Kloteck did, it got warmer and cooler, but now, with the winds picking up, it was now just getting cold. For many of the native wolves, these changes in weather were only part of light conversation, and not nearly complained about. After all, winter was much worse.

But it wasn't the weather that peaked Pollux's interest, and it certainly wasn't conversation either. The turn of seasons seemed only to make the old female drift off with the summer warmth...her attention being set to the borders.

It had simply been like this for years, the Scout would fade into the shadows, she would do her duty, but without the vigor that she was so known for.

Truly, the old wolf was mourning, even after years she could not turn her attention away from her missing half, it was as though there was an emptiness within her that she could only ignore or overpower for so long before it started to sting again.

Its said that Pollux was the brightest star in Gemini, but still it was still nothing without Castor.

The same could be said of the two wolves that had been named after the star sign. When one burnt out brightly, the other just seemed to fade with age.

Head and tail down, Pollux skulked through the snowy underbrush of Arnlan, her expression somber but almost vacant of emotion. She was a good scout, and a loyal pack member, she did well for the pack, and was honored, but it was very little consolation when the cold wind picked up old memories only to bring them back to her.

[Squeeji]

((Selfishly bumping this so it doesn't get lost, anyone feel free to jump in if they want...I won't bump it again if there is no interest.))

[Squeeji at Work]

((*bumped* just to see if there's interest?))

[Electus]

(( I'll get in, after 'flit' is done with ))

[sarhea]

Quiet....quiet all around. The lack of sound was strange to the pewter hued wolf. Lyra stood motionless, her small paws buried in the powdery snow. She was used to activity. During their time away from Arnlan, there was always constant activity, constant motion, constant duty. And from what she could remember from the time before her capture, even in Arnlan things were much busier. Since she and Cepheus had returned home, she'd seen not one of her packmates. Even Pollux seemed scarce. Her sister did not hold the same spunk she had before they had left on their mission. It was not until a few days ago that Lyra had found out why.

She let out a sigh, the mere sound of it almost deafening in the still silence of winter. She had been shocked when she had learned of Castor's death from the Alphas. He'd been so strong; to be taken out like he had...it brought pain to her heart to think of it. Poor Pollux; Lyra could not even imagine what her sister must go through every day, loyally doing her duties-the duties she had many years shared with Castor.

A rustle in the underbrush a little way from her caught her attention as a familiar scent drifted to her nose. Lyra's eyes brightened-speak of the devil...she turned about, her lean frame coursing with energy as she bounded forth in the direction the noise and scent came from. But as she neared and caught glimpse of her metallic colored sister, she stopped, hesitated, her excitement dying down.

Pollux appeared lost in despair, lost in thought, mourning. Her ears swiveled back as she dipped her head and sighed once more. Even now, after all these years...Lyra could see it in Pollux's every move. Lyra moved forward once more, aiming to intercept Pollux's path. A kind smile replaced the overjoyed expression of seeing anyone, her tail swaying back and forth gently in greeting.

"Pollux. It's so good to see anyone this very quiet day. Is it always so quiet here these days?" she asked, trying to muster a lighthearted tone.

[Squeeji]

Pollux startled at the sound of her sister's voice, no matter how long they have been here, she was still not acclimated to the sound of those she long since gave up on as dead. Her nose twitched as she smiled at Lyra.

"The pups have all grown, and the others work too dutifully for there to be much sound anymore I fear...." Pollux shook her head, she once ran through Arnlan like her tail was on fire, whooping and howling enough to wake the dead. The tone in her voice was nostalgic. "I suppose its been too quiet here, but, there isn't much that can be done about that..."

It occurred to the scout that perhaps she had been to cold with her siblings since their return, and that was probably the cause of this little intervention...or perhaps there was a much more mundane reason for this meeting, maybe Lyra just wanted to talk.

"I'm sorry I haven't been so talkative sister, I suppose, I never had been so with you and Cepheus...and I apologize, " Before Castor, she had been a quiet standoffish pup, and it seemed, she had grown into a quiet standoffish adult. "I never asked...but...what will you do now?"

[sarhea]

"There's no need to apologize, really. We all had our quirks. I admit I was not always the most talkative one either, and probably was a bit of a grouch-it seems I spent most of my time trying to protect poor Apus from all the jerks who would make his life miserable. Though it seems he has stuck with the lowly stature," she said with a hint of distaste. Apus was smarter than he let let show, and kinder than most wolves she'd known. It was when Pollux asked what she would do now, that caused her to pause and think...

What was she to do with herself? So much had changed in the years she and Cepheus were gone. Old faces she remember were no where to be seen, and new faces had taken their place. Even most recently she discovered that she had a younger brother...whom it turned out was Pollux's student in scouting. But if Pollux was mentoring....Her curious gaze turned back to her sister.

"I'm not sure what I will do. I've only recently learned we have a younger brother. And that you have taken him on as an apprentice." She gave Pollux an inquiring look as she paused.

"We're not getting so old that we have need of apprentices, are we?" she sighed at the comment, looking to the snowy ground at her paws, reflecting back. "I've missed my prime years in Arnlan. I may as well be a newcomer to the lands. My body may be growing on in age, but my spirit still desires to keep on, but I find myself with nothing to do, no one but you and the alphas know who we once were...."her voice trailed off as she looked up from the snow and back at Pollux, a weak smile upon her maw.

"And you, Pollux. So much has changed for you since I left...and now with an apprentice, it is not time for us to retire yet, is it?" A forlorn look filled her eyes as she glanced back over the dark trees of Arnlan. Even now, the bitter cold air made her joints ache if she stood in one place too long. They were getting older, no matter how much she tried to forget it.

"I'm not ready yet. I've only just now returned to begin...."

[Squeeji]

"Its...its not something you have to worry about Lyra...no one is, making me retire. I'm just feeling old, from my rickety old body to the core of my very soul. I'm tired." Pollux feared and hated her own impending retirement, but couldn't see herself going on much longer...her own wandering mind and failing body would be the death of her. "And Orion ought to do fine, he's very eager and willing to learn."

The old scout twitched her ears, one of which sported a nasty tear long since healed over. "I just don't have the heart for scouting anymore...I think I would rather just teach the younger wolves...and keep myself out of trouble." Pollux smiled some, and shook her head.

"I don't think you have to worry about yourself sister..."