The Scent of Success

[wicked]

The ice had begun to melt throughout the dark forests of Arnlan, causing the grounds and forest floor to become damp and muddy, not the most ideal conditions for a hunt by all means. But as the morning sun was once again concealed behind the mysterious clouds that hung above Arnlan, a flicker of gold darted in between the steadfast black trees that loomed above. The light figure sprinted after a much smaller form, a grizzled brown in color, a rabbit. The prey ran in desperation, the chase had been long and grueling on the poor rabbit, and exhaustion was beginning to take it's toll on the overweight lapine. Not a few moments later, the lithe gold form had quickened it's pace and descended upon the rabbit in the blink of an eye. And with that, the morning's hunt was over.

Phoenix sat, panting heavily, with the limp rabbit at rest by her paws. Her forelegs and back legs as well had been splattered up to her elbows and knees with a thick layer of mud and icy grime, "Lovely...", the blonde fae thought to herself, still catching her breath after the long pursuit. The female awoke earlier that morning with pangs of hunger, and, not only not wanting to take from the pack foodstore, but she also was looking forward to the practice. After her heart rate had lowered and breathing came much easier, the female took the chance to inspect her prey. A fat, older rabbit of the sluggish breed that coursed through Arnlan's lands was what Phoenix had felled on this fine morning. She gently sniffed at the rabbit, the smell alone making her salivate slightly, and she lowered her head closer to the rabbit to enjoy her meal. But she soon brought her head up, sniffing the air and ears perked high in attention, looking for any other pack members nearby, for surely the young female wasn't so foolish as to think that she was all alone.

[blackrage]

[[-chunks in the old fart- ^^]]

A form spread through the shadows, black mixing in, the other colors standing out. The flames on his legs almost seemed as though they were, at the speed he was moving. Dark colored pelt stood out in the midst of all the snow and slush that gathered around him. The old warrior, unlike some others, did have something on his mind, as usual. As it was rather uncommon for one to see him just sitting there, bored, and with nothing to do. It was just the opposite.

His body flashed, part of it blending with the shadows, the other contrasting brightly with the white environment. His breath puffed out in a warm mist, the pads of his feet turning his step to silence. The next moment, he was at a tree, and running up it by use of only the force of gravity and his claws. He went as high as he body would let him, and leap up, pushing off the tree. As soon as he reached it, he took a hold of the limb in his jaws, and was hanging in the air from that branch. He held on for as long as he could, and when he could hold no longer, he let go.

This was his training, and what he felt like doing now. Actually, it was what he was doing often. Within the pack, the only members he had met so far where the alphas, and most others, he went nowhere near. He was not the type for company, or the type that ever talked. Sometimes, he talked so little, that you might just think he was mute if you didn't know any better.

Golden eyes narrowed as he twisted in the air, throwing his feet around to the direction of the ground. It was one of few things he was known for doing, as in his battles of age, the hardest thing to do was take him off his feet. To him, keeping your feet on the ground or toward the earth is life, off your feet and it means death. In the war his pack fought against another, he learned that fact the hard way. Speaking now, most of the things in all his life, he had to learn the hard way. He never had it easy like some other wolves, who had the help of their parents, he got nothing; abandoned at the young age of a pup to fend for himself when he knew nothing of how to survive.

The old warrior landed square on his feet, a small snarl in his throat, stance one of attack and defense, feet spread to either side of him, tail held out horizontally behind him for balance; an old war stance. He watched the sky then, looking on as the snow began to come down. Some of the flakes landed on his back, and he shook, throwing them off.

He did not flinch, but the fur rose on his back as another form darted through past him, a flicker of gold meeting his eyes just after a spark of brown. It looked like another member out on a hunt. Entei followed sute, following close behind, but not so close as to take the other off it's concentration. Moments later, the prey was caught, and the wolf's breath from the chase. The brute made a step forward, and she perked up. It almost seemed that she had noticed his presence, but maybe, she was just wondering.

[sarhea]

Orion had been trotting through the forest when he caught the slight sounds of pursuit through the brush. The spring thaw was in full force, causing the normal wet, marshy mess Arnlan was known for. Orion's curiosity perked; it sounded almost like a hunt-he only thought he heard the sounds of one larger animal. The scent of a wolf drifted in on the breeze and it also carried the scent of Arnlan. Hmmm, he thought. He didn't quite recognize the scent-this perked his interest imensly....a chance to get better aquainted with his packmates!

He picked up his pace, ignoring the mud and slush he kicked up as he ran in the direction of the sounds. He soon came across the trail made by the other wolf. Yes, it had been a quick pursuit from the looks of the distance between the tracks. Much tinier tracks he recognized as rabbit. He let out a chuckle....rabbits...they still were a challenge for him to catch, but he had a bit more confidence. He continued to follow the trail.

The scent of the other wolf grew stronger, and Orion slowed to a walk. Up ahead, he caught a glimsp of blond fur. His mind turned over the members he knew of in his mind, and he somewhat remembered a blond colored fae, but not her name. He approached slowly, ears perked in curiosity. She came into better view, covered in mud up to her elbows and knees. He surpressed a chuckle, as not too long ago he'd been even more muddy, but at least she'd caught her prey. He noticed that she had been about to feast, when her head came up, searching.

"Good morning. I'm sorry to have disturbed your breakfast. I heard something in the forest..."he started, alerting her of his presence. Yes, he'd seen her before, but could not recall her name. He smiled as he slowly approached..

That's when he noticed the older wolf. He felt stupid for not sensing him and he nodded a quick greeting

[sorry it's not better....and somehow i took to long typing and missed Blackrage's post...lol...edited to fix that]

[wicked]

Rising quickly to her feet, Phoenix felt the gaze of another upon her, ears swiveled back as the sound of a soft squelch in the mud from a single step. Her delicate features strained into an intimidating demeanor as her narrow head spun back, much like an owl in surprise.

The sight of this wolf alone made the young fae's eyes go wide. Black as ebony, with the most violent of flames licking up the legs of the brute that stood before her, gazing at her with orange eyes as fiery as his markings. The scent of this male was of Arnlan, and this seemed to ease the she-wolf's mind as her tension eased slightly, still keeping some caution around the big male. Licking the small amount of blood from the kill off of her lips, she tried to make herself look more presentable, which proved to be a futile effort seeing how she was elbow-deep in muddy, slushy fur. Taking another moment to size up the stranger, she noticed that this male was much older than herself, and deserving of some respect, "Good morning sir," she said with a graceful inclination of her golden neck in a polite bow.

Her attention then turned to the scent of another wolf, fast approaching. Another male of Arnlan, was all that the scent revealed to Phoenix as she lightly sniffed the oncoming breeze, shaking some of the new-fallen snow off of her golden pelt. She simply waited for this next visitor to arrive.

A youngster, around her own age, was what now stood before her. Her ice blue eyes sized up the newcomer, a young grey brute who had tracked her path of pursuit. Phoenix recognized him, but could not label a name to his appearance. "Good morning. I'm sorry to have disturbed your breakfast. I heard something in the forest..."he spoke. "Good morning, not to worry, you weren't disturbing me, I was still trying to cool down from my chase," Phoenix said with a nod and a quick smile slapped across her light-hued maw.

[blackrage]

Rising quickly to her feet, she felt the gaze of another upon her, for ears swiveled back as the sound of a soft squelch in the mud from a single step. Her delicate features strained into an intimidating demeanor as her narrow head spun back, much like an owl in surprise...and she stared at him wide eyed.

The brute couldn't quite suppress a small, but friendly laugh toward the she-wolf. She was covered in mud and slush and could have blended in well if only she hopped off into a mud pit, rolled over onto her back, and laid there. That maneuver would have fooled anyone, and despite his usually cruel nature, he couldn't help but smile at the image conjured up by the thought of what she might look like. A statue of mud shaped like a wolf.

"Good morning sir," she said with a graceful inclination of her golden neck in a polite bow. Very well done, and the movement, and her politeness earned her his respect. To him, first meeting were important, it depends greatly on how he would think of you in the future. He returned her bow, only not as graceful as she, for his age brought upon him less a grace, but with age he had wisdom and experience. He recognized her as Phoenix. This was only known for he knew all the members of the pack, just they might have never seen him. And of course, he was well familiar with the alphas, Karolek and Sofika.

"Good morning. I'm sorry to have disturbed your breakfast. I heard something in the forest..." Entei turned his head ever so slightly to take in the newcomer's arrival. Another wolf of Arnlan, the youngster's gray pelt setting him off greatly from the lighter, more blond color of the fae. He recognized him slightly, even if it took him a moment to recall the name, and several tries and ones he knew that were wrong. Finally, he got it. Orion. Yes, the younger brother of Pollux. The pup didn't seem to notice him until later, and nodded a quick greeting. The male did nothing, but waited to see what would happen next, as he was not a talker, nor very much of a 'conversation' wolf.

[sarhea]

Orion hesitated. Now this was awkward. The older wolf looked so familiar...yes, he was one of the original members of Arnlan, but for the life of him, he couldn't place a name with the face....the same for the fae...this just wouldn't do! How could he have been born into this great pack and not know its members? He couldn't help but grumble at his dear parents; he loved them, but their overbearing love had caused this.

The young wolf shook his head as the blond fae spoke up.

"Good morning, not to worry, you weren't disturbing me, I was still trying to cool down from my chase,"

Good, a smile...at least from one of his pack mates. How he wished he could remember their names....then it came to him suddenly, his parents had talked about the older, flame-marked wolf....Entei....

"Good morning, Entei. I hope the morning finds you well," Orion spoke up pleasantly, grateful for his recollection of the elder wolf's name. His parents had made sure they instilled plenty of manners into his hard head, and as much as he'd protested their constant nagging, now it came in handy. He knew from what his parents had told that Entei was not much of a talker, had led a hard life. He turned back to the blond fae, an apologetic expression upon his features.

"I'm terribly sorry, but your name escapes me. I'm Orion, I don't believe we have formally met," he spoke to her.

[blackrage]

"Good morning, Entei. I hope the morning finds you well," Ahh, so the youger wolf did know him. It was true, the pup had been born into the pack, and was supposed to know all the members, or at least, his parents told him. He seemed happy, just about gratful, to recall the old warrior's name, an it didn't suprise Entei at the least. That pup was a smart one, that was for sure.

Also true, was that speaking was not a strong point of Entei's features, but sometimes a small word was spoken. This was one of those times, now, and his voice, in all knowledge, was rather gruff. For a wolf who spent years in war, faced much he had to get over, and great losses, you voice would be the same too. It took on a most militaric tone, like that of a General, and mixed with a slight hiss. All together, it was a type of voice hard to describe, and one not heard often. "As with you."

"I'm terribly sorry, but your name escapes me. I'm Orion, I don't believe we have formally met," He couldn't help but give a small chuckle at this. Maybe it was just how the pup said it, or maybe it was the brute's odd sense of humor. Who knows.

[wicked]

Phoenix's ever-watching, icy orbs traveled from one male to the other as they in turn greeted one another. Phoenix was somewhat suprised upon hearing the voice of the older male, whom the younger had adressed as Entei. Speaking in tones that were nearly indescribale in plain words of an authorative manner, Phoenix picked up that the two were familiar with each other on some level. Entei had spoken very shortly, and Phoenix took to note that she probably would not hear Entei speak very often, the old wolf looked like he had been through hell and back again, and a smile rose to Phoenix lips as she thought how fitting that statement pertained to the older wolve's fiery markings.

The younger wolf had turned back to face Phoenix and introduced himself as Orion, her memory tracing back to the pack meeting, she remembered him. "It is a pleasure to meet you Orion, Entei," she said looking to them both with a small smile, "I'm Phoenix," she continued shortly. Words were not Phoenix's strong point of eloquence, but at least she gave it a shot and making some new friends within the pack.

[sarhea]

Orion was pleased that he'd remembered the black and flame marked brute's name, and he paid no heed to the gruffness of the elder wolf's voice...from the brief stories he'd heard about the male, he knew Entei had been through alot for the pack of Arnlan. One of these days, he'd be able to serve his pack.

He turned back to the blond fae as she smiled and pleasantly replied that her name was Phoenix. He smiled in return. Yes, he'd heard her name before, but never had a face to place with it.

Suddenly, a call rang out through the forest....the voice of the Alphess....calling....him? A confused expression quickly replaced his smile. She was calling him to the food stores....what could possibly be going on? He hoped that he was not in trouble. He turned his attention quickly back to his new aquaintances.

"I'm sorry, but it appears that I've been summoned to the stores....It was a pleasure to meet you Phoenix and Entei. But I must not keep Alphess Sofika waiting," he said, nodding his final greeting to them both before heading back into the forest.

[sorry guys....I'll catch ya'll next time!]

[blackrage]

"It is a pleasure to meet you Orion, Entei,"..."I'm Phoenix," But, the old brute had not heard her words. Instead, his mind was tracing back, looking back over lost memories that really were never forgotten. All his lost comrades that fought bravely in battle, and the history of the pack...but there was one memory that settled upon his mind as soon as he thought it. The one time in Arnlan's history, when Sallin came to the attack.

Sallin's ruthless Alpha had came with all intention of capturing the land, and so far, has been the only one to look the alpha's in the eye besides the old warrior who's marking were of flame. But in the end, Sallin was driven out, and it was one of the most memorable battles Entei was possible of recalling, and still he honors his sole friend, the name lost in time, who on that battle field became KIA....killed in action.

He still thought, until that ringing call took him back to reality. In moments he was on his feet, teeth bared, and the fur on his neck spiked, ready for anything. The call itself he could tell from anywhere and over any distance. It was the Alphess Sofika, and to him the call was not directed. Instead, it was directed pointedly at young Orion. Entei watched as a look of confusion seethed over the wolf's face, and in that moment, a grin crawled up the old warrior's face.

He looked on as Orion gave them a final greeting, "I'm sorry, but it appears that I've been summoned to the stores....It was a pleasure to meet you Phoenix and Entei. But I must not keep Alphess Sofika waiting," , and his face showed no emotion throughout. His voice came again, but this time, in a whisper, but only just loud enough to be heard, and Orion might hear it just before he bounded out of range. "Orion...tell the alphess 'Homomrhudso'."

It was a word of old, and in the language of age. Within the pack at this time, the only wolves old enough to know the ancient language of the old ways was himself, and the alphas. It meant, 'remembrance', and to the old wolf, it had many meanings. The Alphess would know exactly what the word meant, but she might not quite know what he told by it. Of course, she had her ways of knowing everything....