Let this be home again.. (Acceptance) (Sofika/all)

[nightblood]

{{OOC: Let me explain about the title. NightBlood had been accepted into Arnlan about half a year ago before I left KO. Sofika was the one who accepted her, but she and Ziko (whom NB calls 'Snow') are the only ones she's properly talked to (even though NB was teaching Ziko how to talk before she left). Anyway, I modified NB's past to include the reason she had gone missing. She had been captured by hunters and taken to a ranch a few miles from the Kloteck area and was trained to be a horse herder. She escaped after a few weeks and had since been wandering around, not really knowing where she was. So, if you want your character to have 'seen' NB around the territory a few times before she left, that's fine. However, no one but Sofika and Ziko have actually talked to her before. Just a little clarification before anyone drops in. ^^}}

[nightblood]

A calming wind rustled the leaves of the ebony trees in the night air. Black clouds covered the sky, allowing only the strongest stars to shine through. The moon itself was full and clear, thrusting its light passed the shielding nimbus. It was a night that one wolf took as a good sign.

NightBlood sat a ways away from the Arnlan border, not making a move toward it or from it. She had been sitting like this for a few hours now, drawn to the scent of her old home, and repelled by the notion of being called 'Traitor' for leaving, even though she knew it was not at fault. It was the humans...

Pushing back the memory of the two-legged beasts, NightBlood stood up. She had changed over the half year she had been gone. She now sported a shiny, red tattoo on her right shoulder, and a necklace with the fang of a dog as the pendant. To add to her list of injuries, previously only being the fact that she was blind in her left eye by two scratch marks, she had a pronounced limp on her left hind leg.

NightBlood took a step forward, drawn closer to Arnlan by two faces in her mind. One was that of Sofika, the Alpha Female. She was the only council member who had spoken to her. Would she welcome her back? And Snow, the pup Night had taught to speak, would he want her back in his life? Would he understand the reason for her absence? She had to know!

The drive to find out her fate in relation to Arnlan was intense. She wanted so desperately to be back with her old pack. It was the only place she felt at home. But now, after wandering for so long, would she stop on fate's door with only fear of the unknown holding her back? Never!

With that thought in mind, NightBlood lifted her muzzle toward the sky and let out a loud, long howl. To those who could interpret her sing-song voice, the howl was a story simply waiting to be heard. It was full of sadness for being away from Arnlan and it's members, anger at the humans for taking her away, happiness for the thought of returning home, and nervousness for not knowing how or if they would welcome her back.

As the song ended, NightBlood took off at a gallop toward the very edge of Arnaln. There she stopped, barked once more to the wolves within the shadows of the ebony trees, and waited for the first sign of life within the lands.

[Sofika]

Sitting under the beautiful array of clouds and stars, one could only admire how calm the evening was. Under a veil of fur, eyes observed and a calculating mind determined that the night was golden, would remain so for the remainder of the moons time tonight. However attention was not mainly drawn to the sky, but to a figure in the far. For hours Sofika had been watching the wolf watching the border. She knew who it was. But the ball was in the court of the others, for now.

" Arnlan has drawn you back Nightblood. I have foreseen this moment. " Sofika spoke quietly to herself because she knew that there was no one within earshot. High up on a hill where no trees sheltered the speak, but only a cluster of rocks protected the soil was her viewpoint of the whole territory and beyond. Here however there was faint hint of a cool breeze which tickled the Alphas face. She held no expression on her lips. Her ears flicked now and then as she listened to the pack lands. Nothing.

Nightblood. Her departure was swift, unheard of. Sofika knew though. She had made no attempt to save Nightblood from the grasp of the humans when they entere the cavern of her slumber. Instead she watched as they took her away. Cruel perhaps. However she felt no guilt. No one knew except Sofika, perhaps Karolek why Nightblood was no longer with them in Arnlan. It was to be fate reckoned the alpha that they stole away only Nightblood and left Ziko behind in the cave. She was not to intervene.

" Yes Nightblood, sing to us, sing your song to the pack. I have heard and I will come. " The ball was with Sofika now, it was her move to the border. Nightblood had made hers and decided to return despite the mixed feelings she must have been experiencing in her long wait of indecision. Rising slowly, she watched the wolf stop by the border, and it was then Sofika leaped from her spot into the trees; to the shadows.

Blurred was her movement, intentionally noticeable by the radiating spots on her maw. On her way they danced around the trees, bewildering those who wanted to notice. It was only to them that this sight could be seen. Those who did not want to see did not. Simple. Slowly now, they were close. Sofika came to a casual stop in the shadows.

From here she slowly melted with words slipping from her parting lips. " Nightblood. A while it has been. How have you been keeping old friend? " asked the alpha casually. Indeed it was a pleasure to see her once again. She seemed stronger, or was she broken down inside? The trials of her inprisonment may have damaged her pride? Sofika did not know but would only if Nightblood was willing to share. She would not ask, but if it was a topic wished to be discussed then she would. The ball again, was with her on the wrong side of the border.

[nightblood]

As a blue blur made it's way through the shadows, NightBlood made an effort to prepare herself for interrigation. She knew the one who carried such markings. They belonged to Sofika, one of the few members she had come in contact with. Here, the alphas' held loyalty in high reguard, and kept it there. So it caught Night off guard when Sofika had addressed her so casually. She was sure that she would have thought her disappearance an act of treachery.

Disreguarding her previous thoughts, Blood focused on one word that had come from the dark wolf's mouth as she stood draped in the shadows. 'Friend'. This simply had to mean that Sofika knew that her departure had not been her fault! Still, both Sofika and Karolek's ways were strange. It could also mean something else.

"Too long, Alpha Sofika. I have missed you and Arnlan greatly."

The mix of feelings inside NightBlood was driving her mad. Ears folded as the great wolf sat down and lowered her head. It was all she could do to fight back the tears of all that was built up inside. Taking a deep, almost ragged breath, NightBlood atempted to speak again.

"Sofika... it was not my intention... or my desision to leave these lands. I didn't want to go. I..."

Words escaped her. She didn't know how to explain herself properly. For the first time in a long time, she was showing emotion. It was hard for her, not only because she was in the presence of an Alpha, but because she had been trained not to do so in any situation.

Forelegs slowly folded under her and Night's chest hit the grownd as she assumed the first submissive position she had ever made. Lips quivered, but somehow she managed to speak once more.

"Please... I wish to join you inside the border once more. Let this be my home again..."

[Sofika]

There were things different about Nightblood that struck Sofika immediantly as she looked over her. She seemed somewhat taller, perhaps not. Nightblood always had been alot bigger and bulkier than Sofika but such did not intimidate the smaller black wolf. A new scar had been forged in the female's face; on her left eye. Blindness. Yes, Nightblood had become blind in that eye, it was apparent. Her hind leg? A huge gash, did it hurt? Probably. A limp? Well, she'd see when Nightblood walked.

"Sofika... it was not my intention... or my desision to leave these lands. I didn't want to go. I..."

Sofika took to remain standing before Nightblood. She did not know this wolf anymore. It had been far too long. Circumstances and the ways of individuals change. This female who had a rare break from the land could have been in any situation in her time away. Perhaps she could have been residing in Sallin, been speaking to Nightshade of the happenings in Arnlan. She had to be careful... and she listened to what the wolf said.

"Please... I wish to join you inside the border once more. Let this be my home again..."

Genuinely, spoke Nightblood, it seemed. It could have been a trick however, leading the alpha into a false sense of security. Cocking her head a little and sliding her maw up into the air she sniffed. There was no scent of Sallin. Not even the slightest detail of it.

" What is it about Arnlan that draws you back Nightblood? You must have a reason for wishing to return, even after so long. Is the memory of your experience here been so powerful to remain strong in your mind? " spoke the alphess in all seriousness and waited for a moment and watched as Nightblood bowed to the ground. " Where have you been? " she added.

[nightblood]

{{FYI: NightBlood had a blind eye while she was in Arnlan before. Just thought I'd remind you... XD }}

NightBlood shivered when the Alpha began to speak. Her mind was breaking again: Her Past personality was doubting her present actions. It was a reoccuring break. She was getting better at pushing it back, but right now, against her sadness and confusion, it seemed particularly strong.

'What are you doing?! Get up! Stop groveling! Get rid of those tears!'

It was at that moment that she realized that she had indeed shed a single tear, something that months ago she wouldn't have thought possible. With a quick swipe of her paw, the great wolf rubbed away the liquid and hoped despiratly that Sofika hadn't seen it, and if she did, she hoped she didn't think her weak.

Blinking to push back any tears that thought they'd break through, NightBlood pushed herself up to answer the black wolfess's questions properly.

"The memories of you and the pup I met here are the only ones that are strong enough to bring me back, but there are other reasons I returned. Arnlan is the only pack, however few members I met, where I feel at home. I can't... really explain it..."

Night trailed as a breeze passed over them. The wind itself was another reason she had come back. Although she had never seen them, the members' scents were all carried by the wind, and she felt she knew them by their scent alone. The two year old faces the wind and allowed it to fill her muzzle. It had been so long since she had really thought about them...

With a quick movement, she turned back to Sofika and moved to the last question.

"In reguards to my departure: I was taken by humans to one of their farms where they keep prey animals. I escaped and returned to the life of a loner before finding out exactly where I was. That's when I started back towards Arnlan."

In her mind, she was half proud of herself for answering the questions without getting teary once more. That pride was forced down once again by the realization that she had not exactly been invited into the pack yet. So she sat there, waiting for Sofika to reply, not making a move.

[Sofika]

[ Ah, I was unaware of that detail before... ]

The single tear shed by Nightblood had gone unnoticed. Sofika had been standing at such an angle that she could not see that side of the female's face. She did notice however, the shiver that rocked Nightblood's body. What was wrong? The day was calm and the temperature was reasonably warm which was odd for Arnlan.

The few members that she had met... Not many of the wolves in the pack new each other. This was an increasingly worrying matter that was slowly growing to nip at Sofika. She had hoped that eventually the members would become curious and seek each other out... but they had not.

" Ziko, " she said softly in response to his referal. How he had grown since Nightblood had left. How much he had taught himself. However his weight and size was worrying. He was small, skinny... " your disappearance upset him. " Sofika had watched him, had heard his cries. Heartbreaking, so much that it could even crack Nightblood whom Sofika knew to be quite intolerant of the younger generations.

" You had other reasons? What where they? Or where they what you cannot understand? Merely are they feelings. " In a quiet voice the alpha said these words. The black wolf sighed. It had been a great loss, Nightblood's kidnapping. There was a sense of relief in her return, but she always knew that they would meet again... at least a strong feeling only hoped... " Fortunate it was for you to find yourself so close to home. "

[nightblood]

Another word caught the giant's attention. 'Home.' Sofika's subtleness was overwhelming. Again she had hinted that NightBlood was welcome within the Arnlan boarder, and again NightBlood's training had refused to believe it was true. Inwardly shaking her mind away from her past, Night scolded herself for her reluctance to leave it behind. She needed reteaching... and she needed it badly.

Ears folded back again as she prepared to inquire as to what Sofika had ment. She should'nt be this timid, but she was loosing her grip. How did one find peace when they did not agree with themselves?

"Fortunate indeed, but do you use the term 'home' because of my feelings toward Arnlan, or because you've welcomed me back? Forgive my slowness..."

Now THAT was the old NightBlood. Blunt till the very end. If she didn't understand something, she asked about it. Plain and simple.

[Sofika]

" Partially because of your feelings Nightblood. And yes, partially because I am welcoming you back to the pack provided that you renew your promise to work hard for your shelter, food and protection in Arnlan. "

Nightblood seemed different. She definently did. The wolf before her was a different wolf who had come to Arnlan before seeking acceptance. That one was strong but this one seemed broken in a sense. What had those humans done to her exactly? Broken her pride by making her work like a dog?

In the sky the clouds rolled over and droplets of rain began to fall. Infront and around the female they fell until it got slightly heavier an the water began to cling to her sleek fur. A faint smile, a flick of her tail and she nodded, waiting for Nightblood to respond.

[nightblood]

NightBlood looked at Sofika's face as she spoke, hardly noticing the rain that fell around them. She was back in Arnlan! She was a member once again! Without the grasp of control, the huge wolf would have begun to chase her tail and yip in happiness. However, selfdisipline had hold of her mind. She would save her celebration for a more appropriate time, preferably not infront of Alpha Sofika. She did, however, allow her tail to wag slowly a few times before holding it still once more.

"Thank you. Thank you so much, Alpha Sofika."

NightBlood took a step forward, but went no further. Alphas lead, wether it was a war or a walk in the forest, Alphas lead as long as they were with a lower ranking wolf. And NightBlood was no acception.

Then something flashed in her mind. The face of the red and black pup. 'Ziko', Sofika had called him. NightBlood had been calling him 'Snow' after his first word. How surprised he would be if he found out, not only that she had returned, but that she knew his real name!

"If possible, I'd like to speak with Ziko. Do you know of his favorite haunts?"

Stupid question. More than likely, of course she knew. Sofika and, as NightBlood had heard, Karolek always knew just about everything that happened in and around Arnlan. How was a mystery, but the great wolf didn't dare ask of it.

[Sofika]

Sofika nodded and turned to lead into the shadows. The black wolf decided that she had made a good decision on allowing Nightblood to return into Arnlan. Despite being a little weary of this wolf, she trusted that the female was being truly genuine. However if she was to turn out not to be... well, Sofika would not be the most amused wolf in the pack.

" Indeed I do know where he resides. He is not hard to find. Perhaps to familiarise yourself with the lands you should go in search of him? He shouldn't be far. " Ziko was more than one year of age but he had yet to be recognised as a full subordinate.

As they proceeded into the forest the shadows almost seemed to part for the alpha as she trod across her territory. Or ones eyes were just being deceptive. Dim light from the sky did not penetrate through the thick canvas of the leaves which rustled a little in a silent breeze. " Ziko has developed much in your absence..." looking from side to side, she nodded a little, " I think from here you should go westward... " Smiling, she turned and watched Nightblood for a moment before turning away again.

[nightblood]

A few more steps and NightBlood was fully across the boarder once again. She breathed a sigh of releif. She couldn't help but watch her paws as they again tread on her home grounds. It wasn't long before her eyes were pulled forward by Sofika's returning voice. Night nodded to show that she understood, but doubted that she would find him tonight. Still, if Sofika said he wasn't far, she had no reason to doubt that.

A few more strides into the territory and Night knew almost exactly where she was. The den she had been kidnapped from was not far, but she would not venture toward it. Not after what had happened before. She would find a new den for herself. probably one further awa from this one.

"Ziko has developed much in your absence..."

She didn't need to be told that. Pups grew fast in their first year. But perhaps she had been speaking of his personality or mind set. Yes, that would be it. Westward, was he? Well, perhaps, if she were to find him, she would watch him for a time before confronting him...

'If Father could see you now, making excuses for hiding from your fears... You know he'd never let you live it down...'

For once, her other side was making a bit of sence. She should stop hiding. She'd find Ziko and show herself when she found him. No hesitations...

"Thank you once again, Sofika."

With that, she turned westward and broke at a run to find Ziko, trying to leave her fears behind her. Either that, or she would find her fears westward. What would he say? Would he forgive her for leaving? Would he even remember?