There ain't no easy way out [acceptance]

[Blackfeathr]

A light suprise overtook Mordecai's features upon entering these lands. The landscape had been changing from, well, less snow to more snow as he traveled farther north. His head lowered to inhale the scent of the snow-blanketed earth between his large grey paws. By the smells of it, it seems he has stumbled into some packlands.

Why the hell not, he thought, exhaling through his nose to send flakes of snow flying into the air. He hadn't had a home for so long. So long. He ached for somewhere to rest for more than a few days at a time. Perhaps this will be it. The temps were nearly summerlike, and the landscaping was simply adorable. He could settle down here and now.

However that wouldnt be very prudent.

His light blue eyes scanned the dark grounds for some sign of life, wolf or otherwise. Hell, he'd settle for a rabbit. The impregnable silence, that just underlined the obvious absence of anything living, rushed over the lands, which was just as bad as the loud cacophony of humans, was nearly intolerable.

A tickling on the back of his ear triggered an automatic reaction for him to plop his butt down and scratch his ear. From the feel of it, it was a bug of some sort. He sighed, almost in relief. At least he wasnt alone, even if he was only in the company of a now dead bug.

[Sofika]

Sofika stopped in her trail to the sound of an unrecognisable presence. Her head rose slightly and turned in the direction her ears were drawn to. Someone was approaching the land. A male it seemed was coming. Like a flash she was moving; weaving in and out of the twisting black foliage. Her neon blue spots on her muzzle were a blur on the landscape; the rest of her had melted into the shadows.

As she approached the area in which the wolf had decided to rest upon, she observed through the shadows. She would reveal herself momentarily to him, but first of all, she wanted to get a good look of the wolf. For one, he was certainly strong; much taller, and bulkier than she or her twin brother. Interesting. Very, interesting she thought, and slowly slipped through the shadows before him.

" I see you've made yourself comfortable, " Sofika spoke in a monotonous way, eyeing him through shielded eyes. As her smaller body melted from the shadows, her spots illuminated her. " Do you have any specific reason for being here? " Perhaps he was interested in joining them. He looked like he would be a great addition, what with all that muscle. However there was the possibility that he was a no brainer, and all that would be of waste.

That she would determine soon enough.

[Blackfeathr]

[Will post soon, promise!]

[Blackfeathr]

(sorry, another delay... I wont be able to post probably until Monday... No computer at home, and right now I have a test for Web design... many apologies! )

[Blackfeathr]

If truth be told, Mordecai was taken aback by the new voice that filled the lands with much needed life. A reflex reaction made him stand and whirl around to the source.
"Apologies," he dipped his head, lifting his eyes to look at this figure seeming to blend in the shadows.
This figure seemed to be a shadow herself, with obsidian fur draped over her small stature. There were curious spots on her muzzle--spots that illuminated her face slightly, giving definition but revealing nothing. A mop of black hair fell over her eyes, and try as he might, Mordecai could not see them. Maybe there was a reason. A trickle of unease shifted his subconscious, but he shook his head in dismissal.
"I trust I am intruding claimed lands?" he asked, already knowing the answer. It just seemed polite.
He continued on in a rush of gall, not allowing much time for her to answer the obvious.
"I am a traveler," he said, "my paws have crossed these borders knowingly, I bring with me no ill intentions or future expectations. I am but a lowly wolf at your disposal." There was a hint of strength behind his voice though he kept his head low. He could almost feel in the air the prescence this wolf kept about her. Despite her small stature, she was high up in the ranks.
His nerves seemed to have been building since this femmes arrival, though he hadn't realized it till now. He swallowed, and willed it away.
"I hope that I may join your pack, m'lady." He wasn't used to formalities, but he laid it on thick. He kept his head low, staring at the snow with detachment, his ears listening to her every breath, her every shift. He did not know what to expect of this wolf. Would she be as bold and dauntless as his father, who trained him day and night, honing his catlike reflexes and making him who he is today, or will she be forgiving and welcoming, like... well, he'd never met a wolf like that. He'd hoped she was the former. He liked the challenge. Either way, he'd chalk it up to experience.

[Sofika]

Full body escaped the grip of the shadows and with a short nod she clarified that these were indeed, claimed lands. Ancient lands, having been under the rule of Arnlan long before anyone's recollection. With great pride she stood before this wolf, for her pack, for the land despite how off putting it's condition may be to some. She knew that the question had been a mere gesture of politeness and rhetorical in a sense.

" I am but a lowly wolf at your disposal. "

Indeed he was. Every wolf who even breathed the air of Arnlan was at her disposal as Sofika took their presence on Karolek and her territory as a form of consent to such. The black wolf leaned forward, her tail erect and bristled behind her to emphasise her high status, and sniffed him.

Drawing back her maw, slowly she walked to the side and observed him. Up close he seemed genuinely tough, trained almost. There was a sense of order emitting from him. It seemed for a time he was kept in strict order. Former pack perhaps? Some did not take kindly to the weak. She certainly did not, however discriminating was not primarily in her interest.

" You come, in seek of acceptance, knowingly walking upon a land. So many have done so before you, all in offer of their services. What service to Arnlan do you come in offer of? Strength? Knowledge? Tell me. " In her tone there was no hint of joking around. She was in no mind to fool around on the unnecessary.

[Blackfeathr]

Mordecai stiffened slightly as he sensed Sofika's calculating gaze. He tightened every last muscle in his body, as if preparing to be struck. Habits like that usually surface once you experience it so many times as a pup. Sometimes violence worked to forge a learning curve.

"You come, in seek of acceptance, knowingly walking upon a land. So many have done so before you, all in offer of their services. What service to Arnlan do you come in offer of? Strength? Knowledge? Tell me. "

Knowledge, strength, yes, I do have that, he thought. He had phenomenal survival instincts, cat-like reflexes, and a body hewn from years and years of running. However, he wouldn't call it his main feature.
It was on the tip of his tongue...

His mind played a little story for him to see. An old story, telling of a time long ago, when he had a family. He remembers this story as if it were yesterday, and it may have been. This story doesnt end in happiness, just confusion and despair. He sees a wolf on the foliage, its slumped figure dying and ugly and blood tainting all the leaves and trees. But Mordecai is not a ruthless killer. This dying wolf was a traitor, its cursing eyes glazing over and its bared teeth dissapearing behind its lips when death took his wretched soul in its grasp. Surrounding eyes turned to Mordecai's in horror and confusion, virgin eyes now learning what Mordecai would do for the safety and sanctity of his pack.

With this story freshly told and echoing in his head, he knew what characteristic of he, Mordecai, treasured the most.
"Loyalty, m'lady." Mordecai said in that deep Northern accent, "I am a very strong wolf, and I have a lot of intelligence that would help your pack greatly. However I believe what trait I prize the most is my loyalty. Arnlan asks a lot from a wolf, but I will give you more. I take great importance in dedication and sacrificing every ounce of my being to ensure the safety of the pack."

[Sofika]

A sly smirk slithered onto her lips as she watched the wolf tense under her watch. Quickly as it had come, it was gone again as ears perked to listen carefully. The strange sound of his voice interested her and was new to the hollows of her ears as it echoed through them. Her attention was drawn by the first work in which he spoke of. Loyalty.

Loyalty was what was desired most from those who were accepted into the pack of Arnlan. If you were not to be a loyal wolf but instead a traitorous one then one was not welcome upon the lands. Sofika liked the words spoken by this wolf. They sounded familiar, said before but in a different way. But there was something in his words that made them much more believable.

" These words in which you speak. I believe that you are genuine, but I do not accept solely on words alone. If you are as intelligent as you claim, why don't you think of a way to prove your dedication and strength? I'm sure if I were to witness actions of the like I would be more convinced to accept you. Ah, and yes, you have yet to tell me your name? "

[Blackfeathr]

" These words in which you speak. I believe that you are genuine, but I do not accept solely on words alone. If you are as intelligent as you claim, why don't you think of a way to prove your dedication and strength? I'm sure if I were to witness actions of the like I would be more convinced to accept you. Ah, and yes, you have yet to tell me your name? "
---
Mordecai's mind raced while his ears took in every word of what Sofika was saying. Without hesitation, he spoke.
"My name is Mordecai," the large wolf said. It felt odd saying his name, although he hadnt introduced himself to another wolf in a very long time.
He took a deep breath, finalizing his thoughts and putting them into order. Presentation, presentation. In a low rumble, he began.
"I wont hem and haw, because you seem not the type to tolerate such behavior. I have traveled a long way. I have had the opportunity to join hundreds of packs, but I kept going. These packs were too loose-woven, they had barely a boundary, and their pack members were questionable at best. I arrived in your packlands and found you have the tightest-knit pack I have ever seen. I knew that I would find a strong leader here. I also arrived with the knowledge that those who try to leave, never succeed, and the traitors are sure to die as well. A wolf of weaker constitution, who wasnt sure of himself and his morals, would turn tail and run. As you can see, I did not. Your trust is a fine spindle of golden thread that can be broken easily. The thought that if I make a wrong move, I'll surely be dead, would rest in my head to ensnare my thoughts. But as I've said, I have no fear of what I will not do. Thats a promise, and I hope thats proof enough."

[Blackfeathr]

(bump? Sorry I've taken a month to reply D: )

[Sofika]

[ Sorry, computer problems have kept me offline. ]

As Mordecai had been preparing to speak, gathering his thoughts and organising them, the alpha remained perfectly still, willingly nodding acknowledging to his name and silently waited. She had confidence that he would find the correct thing to say, and as he began to answer to her request, she was immediately impressed with him. A smile twitched at the end of her lips as he finished.

" Mordecai, you impress me. From what you have just said, I believe that from you loyalty is to be recieved. You have a strong mind and are an intelligent individual. You know yourself well and I can only hope that by accepting you into Arnlan that I too will be able to know you. "

Sofika wondered how her brother would take to this new male. Of course, any new male probably made Karolek suspicious but this one had a strong mind. Would he be able to play his mind games with him? Well, she'd see if he dared try it. " Oh and my name is Sofika. " No point in telling him that she was alpha female, that idea had probably already been concluded.

[Blackfeathr]

"Mordecai, you impress me. From what you have just said, I believe that from you loyalty is to be recieved. You have a strong mind and are an intelligent individual. You know yourself well and I can only hope that by accepting you into Arnlan that I too will be able to know you."
---

Mordecai did not even realize that he had been holding his breath. He exhaled slowly, forming his lips into a lazy smile. His ice blue eyes drifted over the lands, seeing it in a new light somehow. It wasnt the dark, desolate land he had laid paws upon so recently. It was a promise of freedom, of new beginnings, of trust. His eyes returned to the form of the alphess, becoming less defined as the dusk advanced over the forest.
--
"Oh and my name is Sofika."
--
"I thank you, Sofika. " he said warmly, bowing his head in respect, "I am elated to call myself a member of your pack."

He knew he accomplished something. This pack, in his quick observations and conversations with the native fauna, had seen some hard times and better days. They chose their members with scrutiny, members with dignity, integrity, and loyalty. In these troubled times no one would stop to wonder why.