In the storm (any)

[Akree]

The sea looked enraged, as a storm passed through the shoreline. Huge waves rose up to 4 feet, covering the white sand when they reached the shore. Rain pattered down on all the beach and thunder sometimes cracked the sky. The wind blew hard on the shore. No seagulls were seen, no anything for that matter, only the storm.

Akree walked on the shore, rain stinging down at her eyes. She walked searching for shelter on this storm. The sound of the waves crashing on the shore vivid in her ears. Her ears and tail flapped like flags on the cruel wind. She closed her eyes at the stinging rain. She raised her head to search the horizon. She found a hole on a huge jagged rock and she quickly headed for it. She lowered her head at the rain, but kept going forward. She could swear that by morning there would be fish on the whole beach.

She quickened her step and changed to a panicked run. She run blindly forward, wanting to get away from the storm. Suddenly, she couldn't feel the rain beating down on her. She opened her eyes to see she was in the cave she had barely made out through the storm. It was quiet spacious, but through all the droplets of water falling on her face from the whole ordeal before, she couldn't make out if there was anything else. She shook her body, making water fall every where. She lifted her head and opened her eyes, facing outside the cave, looking at the fierce storm. Why had she come here?

[sarhea]

The storm had rose up quicker than she had originally thought. And it was no small storm. It had been some time since the large white hybrid had seen such a storm, and at least this time, it was not frozen precipitation falling. But with her amazing bad luck, Shanda was caught out in the storm too far from her den. She would have to find shelter and soon, for every minute that passed, the storm grew in fury. A sense of urgency came over her as lightning flashed over head, followed by a deafening resounding of thunder. She would not be surprised if the heavens opened up and began dropping ice on her head. She began to sprint down the beach. She knew of several places along the shoreline that would provide ample protection, even a few caves.

The rain was falling with such fury, the icy cold droplets stinging her face as she ran. She knew she was on the beach, but she could not tell any longer if she was near the water or the treeline. Before she could pause to gain her bearings, a huge wave crashed ashore, washing over the entire immediate shoreline, striking the startled mutt in the side, sending Shanda tumbling across the sand. She gagged as she tasted salt and sand, scrambling to regain her footing. But as she stood once more, she caught the sight of one of the caves she knew to be abandoned. The roar of the sea behind her told her that she'd better make run for it, and run she did. She could barely see a thing for the rain hitting her square in the eyes, and she only hoped she was still running in the right direction.

Soon, the darkness of the cave entrance could be seen through water blurred eyes, and at the last minute, Shanda lunged into the opening. And at the last minute, she spotted black and gray fur-this cave was not empty! She attempted to throw her weight to the side, throwing herself off balance. She felt the odd sensation of passing by the other canine so closely, barely missing smashing straight into her, before she hit the hard cave floor with a heavy thud, dirt and decaying leaves mixing with the sand and salt of her soaked pelt. The air rushed from her lungs, pain shot up her right shoulder. And there Shanda lay in shock, her wide eyes dazed as she stared blankly at the dark form at the cave entrance, trying to find breath.

[Akree]

Akree looked closely at the horizon, rain still stinging her eyes. She thought she could make out the shape of something approaching, she shook her head, it was almost impossible to make out anything in this ferocious storm. She blinked as water accumulated on her muzzle. She was in the mouth of the cave and she was getting wet. She turned to look at the horizon and saw a huge wave engulf the figure, she panicked, even if she didn't know whoever it was, she wouldn't let anyone drown before her very eyes. The figure appeared again and spotted the cave she was in.

Akree took a last glimpse at the horizon, to make sure the wolf was still there, she would let it in, after all it wasn't fair to leave it outside in this storm. She thought for a minute if it meant trouble, she would ready herself, and if necessary to fight, if not other option. She withdrew a few steps away from the cave, to let it in. A panicked mutt ran past her, landing in the ground with a hard thud, eyes wide open the mutt looked at her, but retreated to breathe.

Akree circled the figure, its scent was of wet dog, but then she too would smell like that after that whole storm. She looked at the figure closely, her dark brown eyes staring. She stood straight, and flattened her ears against her head. She nudged the figure and spoke in a kind of whisper:

"Are you okay?" she asked concerned.

[sarhea]

"Are you okay?"

Shanda blinked dumbly a time or two, the nudge from the female sparking her dazed mind to life. She finally managed to suck in a huge, gasping breath, immediately followed by a hacking, choking cough. She attempted to push herself into a sitting position, but stopped half way up as searing pain shot up her right leg. Between gasping breaths, a whine of pain escaped. However, she forced herself up, switching her wait to the uninjured leg as she finally was able to get in a good few breaths.

"I'm sorry..." she sputtered between a few more small coughs. "I did not know you were standing there." Shanda winced as she adjusted her posture. The wolf before seemed unsure, and rightly so, but also seemed genuinely concerned. She could tell nothing was broke, possibly sprained, but most likely just badly bruised.

"I believe I'm alright. Will mostly be a bad bruise," she stated as she glanced quickly over herself. What a mess. She was coated in leaves and sand, her normally fluffy black 'mane' was plastered to her forehead and in her eyes. She frowned inwardly-not a very good first impression...

"My name is Shanda. It has been a while since I've ran across anyone on Scatterstone Beach. I was not expecting anyone to be here. Again, I'm truly sorry for almost running right into you."

[Akree]

Akree watched the wolf blink at her then cough loudly in front of her. Akree blinked at the wolf, she was worried the she wolf would have gotten hurt, after that wave thing. She shook herself, sending droplets of water scattering throughout the cave.

"I'm sorry...I did not know you were standing there." sputtered the wolf.

"Don't worry, I don't blame you, after all, that freak storm outside is enough to make you half blind" she said calmly."Besides I in part don't know were I am right now, I'm not even shore if the waves could reach here" she explained to the wet canine before her.

The wolf checked herself for any wound, but to Akree she seemed fine, for having that wave hit her.

"I believe I'm alright. Will mostly be a bad bruise"

Akree nodded "I'm glad" she said sighting after she did so and slumping down to a sit.

She raised her head relieved to see she was all right. She flicked her tail and nodded to herself.

"My name is Shanda. It has been a while since I've ran across anyone on Scatterstone Beach. I was not expecting anyone to be here. Again, I'm truly sorry for almost running right into you."

Akree lifted her head and muttered "Nice to know you're fine" she said in a concerned tone "I just wandered blindly into the beach, following a few seagulls, a few hours later I find myself in the middle of a storm"she explained as she looked outside, the sound of thunder erupting from the sky "No prob"she said answering Shanda's last statement, "Stupid seagulls"she whispered to herself remembering the birds.

[sarhea]

Shanda looked up at the gray and black wolf before her. She seemed concerned, yet unsure. Was only natural. Not so long ago, Shanda would have been hiding in the darkest corner of this cave, trying stay out of sight. And she had just almost crashed into her. Shanda lowered herself back onto the stone floor of the cave. One, it felt better on her shoulder, and second, it was a more relaxed, completely nondefensive posture.

"Gulls-the birds are a pain. Nasty creatures, but during a rough winter, they make an easy prey to catch and will hold one over for a few days. During the summer, they are but noisy pests. Most find their way to the beach along their travels. All are welcome here. I wondered here myself a little over a year ago-I just chose to stay." Shanda muttered, staring out into the storm.

"Spring storms can get wild around here. And we are safe in this cave. I've never seen the water come this far," she added, but that was not saying that it couldn't. One year in a new place did not make her an expert.

[Akree]

The storm outside, was fierce, of that she was sure. Thunder rumbled across the land, anyone who never came before would think this was a hell hole, but she had came before the storm, knowing very well the beach was quiet peaceful and she was sure it would return to normal after the storm ceased. She turned to look at Shada, she was clearly in pain.

"Gulls-the birds are a pain. Nasty creatures, but during a rough winter, they make an easy prey to catch and will hold one over for a few days. During the summer, they are but noisy pests. Most find their way to the beach along their travels. All are welcome here. I wondered here myself a little over a year ago-I just chose to stay."

She nodded "Now i think the same thing about those birds" said Akree chuckling.

"Spring storms can get wild around here. And we are safe in this cave. I've never seen the water come this far"

"Hmm..." said Akree in thought "Big storm, I came at a bad time" she muttered to herself, she flicked her tail "Oh, well nothing to now"

She smiled at Shada, trying to comfort the wolf a bit. Maybe Shada would feel better with some company, she thought. The storm showed no sings that it would ever stop, she sighted.

[sarhea]

"Big storm, I came at a bad time"

Shanda smiled, a slight chuckle coming forth.

"These storms usually leave as quickly as they come. Scatterstone is really a nice place. It is close enough to human villages to snatch some food when things get scarce, and far enough from the hostile wolf packs that inhabit the lands further inland. I've never met an unkind soul on this beach."

She looked up at Akree. The female had not yet mentioned her name. Shanda wondered from where the wolf had come. Lone creatures always made her curious, especially the wolves. Most were looking for packs.

"I'm not sure how much help I can be, but while we're waiting for this storm to subside, I'd be more than willing to provide you with any information that you may wish to know, if I know," Shanda said with a smile. She liked to think of herself as a sort of welcoming committee, the sole member of the Scatterstone chamber of commerce, and it was much better way of living than cowering in a corner somewhere in fear.

[Akree]

Akree nodded as Shanda spoke of the storms passing quickly. It was possible, but she thought that this one might last a bit more and it showed no signs of stooping soon. She looked at Shanda, the wolf did seem like she really liked this place. Akree thought it would look beautiful when there was no storm. But she still confessed the beach still possessed beauty even in this storm, with those to see things in a different perspective. After all, this storm would bring fish to the shore, meaning seagulls landing on the shore to get a bite at those fish, which in turn would mean a good chance of wolves and dogs grabbing something to eat.

"I'm not sure how much help I can be, but while we're waiting for this storm to subside, I'd be more than willing to provide you with any information that you may wish to know, if I know,"

She smiled at Shanda, something made her curios about these lands "What do you know of the packs on this area?" she asked, it would be nice to join a pack, but she didn't want to join a pack who would be a horrible experience to her, but she also liked being a loner.

[sarhea]

"What do you know of the packs on this area?"

Ah, she should have been expecting this question. Shanda smiled thoughtfully as she looked out into the raging storm. The packs of the area....

"Well," she started, thinking of what to say first. She was no expert, having not experienced any of them herself. "Most of what I know has been gathered from visitors as they pass through on their way to find the area packs. I do know human villages border the beach on the south and west. I tend to stay away from those places. Not all the dogs are bad, I've met a few of them, I just prefer to stay away from the villages unless things get really scarce around here."

Outside the cave, Shanda almost thought she saw a break in the storm, a peak of sky in the distance over the water. But that hope soon faded as the rain began to fall even harder. She snorted slightly at the storm before turning back to Akree.

"There are three packs further inland. One is comprised mostly of dogs. Another is comprised strictly of full blood wolves-it is called Sallin, I believe. And they are at war with the dog pack. I'm not sure what it is called, and the only reason I know Sallin is because it's reputation precedes it. Sallin is said to be made up of blood thirsty killers, eager to fight any chance they get. Another wolf pack is called Arnlan. I don't know much about it-they tend to be pretty secretive. I just happened to hear the name a few times. But I do think they are also against this Sallin," she rambled, searching her memories.

She looked up at the black and gray wolf. The female would most likely be a good asset to what ever pack she joined. From what she had noticed in their brief encounter, Akree did not have the mentality that she figured Sallin wolves would have. But one could not judge someone on such brief knowledge.

"There are also the many like me who have chosen to stay unattached to packs. There is much unclaimed land between here and the other packs. I've even heard rumors of new groups coming together, new territories being claimed, so there may be new packs forming, though this is just rumors I've heard."

[Akree]

Akree looked carefully at Shanda, listening patiently to her words. Outside the rain got stronger beating down on the beach, the wind got stronger. Shanda thought for a minute before answering her question.

"Well, most of what I know has been gathered from visitors as they pass through on their way to find the area packs. I do know human villages border the beach on the south and west. I tend to stay away from those places. Not all the dogs are bad, I've met a few of them, I just prefer to stay away from the villages unless things get really scarce around here."

Akree simply nodded and flicked her tail still listening to Shanda.

"There are three packs further inland. One is comprised mostly of dogs. Another is comprised strictly of full blood wolves-it is called Sallin, I believe. And they are at war with the dog pack. I'm not sure what it is called, and the only reason I know Sallin is because it's reputation precedes it. Sallin is said to be made up of blood thirsty killers, eager to fight any chance they get. Another wolf pack is called Arnlan. I don't know much about it-they tend to be pretty secretive. I just happened to hear the name a few times. But I do think they are also against this Sallin,"

"That seems kind of troublesome, I don't want to be in a pack where every second threatened my life" she paused thinking "I actually don't like any kind of fights" she said to Shanda, speaking her mind "As for the secretive pack... I don't think I like to be that hidden also" said Akree chuckling as she did. A pack that mysterious must be hiding something.

"There are also the many like me who have chosen to stay unattached to packs. There is much unclaimed land between here and the other packs. I've even heard rumors of new groups coming together, new territories being claimed, so there may be new packs forming, though this is just rumors I've heard." continued Shanda.

"I've always been a loner, guess that won't change anytime soon" she acknowledged to Shanda "I guess it may be a bit better like this" she said smiling.

[sarhea]

"I've always been a loner, guess that won't change anytime soon""I guess it may be a bit better like this"

Shanda listened to the wolf's words. Yes, she knew the feeling all too well. Pack life had never really been for her.

"I've been on my own since I was but a year old. Pack life didn't suit me well. I actually spent a little while with humans after they saved me from a winter storm. That didn't suit me either. So here I am. It can be a bit lonely, but I've met many interesting creatures. And this beach is such a nice...."

No sooner than she had began to speak highly of her beach home, did the wind switch directions, blowing icy rain directly into the mouth of the cave. Shanda sprang to her feet, the throbbing pain in her shoulder a fleeting memory as she scrambled backwards, trying to find relief from the deluge. Lightning began to flash ferociously, the deafening thunder following. This storm was becoming something else. Even the fury of the sea seemed louder and closer than ever before. She'd lived on the beach for over a year now, and never had the water come up this far.

"I've never seen weather this bad! Do you hear that? I'm I going crazy or does the sea sound closer?" she said as she crouched down at the very back of the cave. The rain was not reaching that far in, but it was steadily trickling in, puddles beginning to form in the low spots. If this storm kept up, they'd have to find new shelter.

[Akree]

"I've been on my own since I was but a year old. Pack life didn't suit me well. I actually spent a little while with humans after they saved me from a winter storm. That didn't suit me either. So here I am. It can be a bit lonely, but I've met many interesting creatures. And this beach is such a nice...." she heard Shanda say. She was broken of by the sudden outpour of even more rain. Akree got even more wet, but she smiled.

"I've been alone almost all my life, since about six or seven months of age at least" she muttered to Shanda.

She walked toward the mouth of the cave, this was bad, she thought. Puddles had already began to form on the pockets on the floor of the cave. The rain sounded like ice was falling over their heads, it thundered on top of the cave. Akree looked outside and froze to the spot as she took in what was happening. The water of the beach seemed dangerously close to the cave, this storm was really bad. She gulped, but kept calm.

"Shanda, I'm sure it isn't me, but he shouldn't stay here for much longer, unless you like water and I mean really like it" she said, her voice clear, but she was a little surprised by all this.

Outside the water was a couple of yards away from them, but if the storm kept going like this, it would be a matter of time before it reached the cave they were taking shelter in. Akree turned her head to look at Shanda, water beat down on her fur.

[sarhea]

"Shanda, I'm sure it isn't me, but he shouldn't stay here for much longer, unless you like water and I mean really like it"

Shanda frowned at the report Akree gave, confirming her fears. The fierceness of the wind was driving the waters of the sea inshore. There was only one place somewhat close that would be safely out of it's reach. But it was a little ways down the beach, and the rocky maze that led to the massive caves entrance was less than safe to be traversing in this dangerous storm, but if they stayed here, they risked drowning in the angry sea. Shanda stood and approached the mouth of the cave, standing next to Akree. The scene outside was frightful. The rain was coming down so hard, it echoed throughout the cave as if hail were falling, it is was possible that there was some of that mixed in also. Strong gusts of wind drove icy water into her eyes, causing Shanda to shake her head abruptly. The sea was creeping ever so closer.

"We have to get out of here! I know a place, but it is not terribly close. It's down the beach. Or else we will have to go inshore, towards the human village Hallow!" she exclaimed, fear rising in her voice.

[Akree]

The storm poured down onto the beach. This was definitely trouble, Akree couldn't make out almost anything more than a few feet away, the rain, mixed with her damp coat didn't allow her to see very much. She turned to look at Shanda, she clearly was surprised as well with the size and force of this storm. Akree took a step outside and was bailed with large droplets of rain, it seemed that someone was dropping nuts not water. She took a step back into the cave, already very sure how bad was this storm.

"We have to get out of here! I know a place, but it is not terribly close. It's down the beach. Or else we will have to go inshore, toward the human village Hallow!"

A deadly silence pressed onto the two wolves, if it wasn't for the storm outside. Thunder rumbled on and on, it droned onto Akree's eardrums. She gave such a notable pause it made her worry herself. There was a lot to consider, but no time to think, she quickly thought of their safety.

"Which do you think is safer?"she called back to Shanda, it wouldn't matter where they go if they couldn't get there alive. The storm began to press on harder still, she knew they had to move at once.