Silence {acceptance}

[aerofade]

A chilled wind blew through the Arnlan territory, biting through the fur of the creatures abound and nipping at their skin. It seemed excessively quiet for a forest, but perhaps that was due to the current weather. Animals that refered warmer days wold certainly be hiding from the soft, white flakes falling from the sky and gently blanketing the forest floor.

Aerofade wouldn't deny that he himself prefered warmer climates, nor that his short, black fur would not only condemn him to be nearly freezing during the winter months but would also make him stand out like the color white under a black light. What he had heard of this pack, however - or rather, the lack of what he had heard about this pack - had intrigued him. His interest had reached a peak, and within the past month had found himself suddenly compelled to seek this pack out and ask acceptance. This was why as he took his first step over the border he was confident, and not tempted to turn tail and run. While it was true he wasn't the bravest or most confident mutt in the world, he still knew what he wanted.

Although he saw no one at first glance, he still didn't venture further onto the territory than he now was. He wanted to be humble, not intrusive. Lifting his muzzle to the sky, he released a low, quiet howl. This was his formal request for acceptance.

[nightblood]

NightBlood yawned as a cold breeze swept by, taking her silvery breath away from her. The two year old black-and-tan female had only been a member for a few days, maybe less, and today she had decided to actually do something to help out. She took it upon herself to do some sort of border patrol, weither it be chase off tresspassers or contain acceptance seakers until a high ranker came to take over. It wasn't her real responcibility, even though subordinantes were required to help out in any way they could. NightBlood could've just as easily hunted or something.

Today had been fairly quiet as she strolled layzily along the border, enjoying the shade from the ebony trees. She had only managed to scare off some annoying song birds that hadn't made their trip south. No doubt they were on their way now. She smirked at the thought, laughing inwardly at the terrified fowls as they flew away in a mad rush to escape her jaws.

NightBlood's ears perked forward. A low, distant howl had caught her attention and she raced off to investingate. She found the male rather quickly. He had given a softer howl that concealed the fact that he was closer than what she had guessed. She shrugged off her mistake and moved toward him, keeping as much to the shadows as possible. She wanted to get a good idea of his capabilities before she showed herself.

By his scent she could only tell that he was a year older than she was. However, his appearance told her more. His fur was flecked with mud and was slightly matted in some areas. This told her that he either didn't have high self esteem, or didn't care enough to groom himself. His markings were more interesting. Green tipped ears and muzzle mark, green bands around his legs and tail, white paws and dimond shoulder mark, red eyes and claws... not to mention his blue nose... very strange...

She'd never seen anyone like him. Sighing, NightBlood steped toward him. She could not escape the fact that almost every wolf was wary of her size, and this male was three inches shorter than her. "You've reached a border," NightBlood said simply, "What is it you seek?"

[aerofade]

Aerofade's first reaction was to immediately take a step back as the female presented herself, since she was larger than he. Her scent carried the faint smell of the territory, and from this he assumed she was a member of his pack. Her speech confirmed this, and he nodded to her in brief greeting.

He was aware that he had reached the border, but gave no response to this remark. He observed the female for a moment, taking in her appearance and posture. Since she was the first to greet him it was reasonable to think that she was either a border guard or sentry, and she would probably be able to help him. He didn't know that she was a new recruit nor that this wasn't officially her job, otherwise he might have been a little more wary of her.

"My name is Aerofade," was all he said at first, pausing to glance around what he could see of the territory. He saw no other forms in the shadows, and no tracks besides his own and the female before him. He continued slowly, as if not sure whether to be hesitant or to plow on with the conversation. "I've come to ask acceptance if that's at all possible."

He hoped they would be open to the idea of letting him into the pack; he'd never done anything like this before since he preferred to be by himself. Maybe he should have cleaned himself up before coming - after all, first appearances were important. What was done was done, though, and he'd be more than willing to prove his worth if he needed to do so.

[nightblood]

NightBlood scanned over the male again as he stated his name. She hadn't asked for it, nor cared to know it, but at least he had said something. A moment passed and the subordinante was about the reconsider the fact that she wasn't driving him off. "I've come to ask acceptance if that's at all possible."

The two year old steped forward and walked a clockwise circle around Aerofade, letting her right eye observe his features. There were no scares that she could see and now that he had spoken she saw that he had yellowed teeth. Aside from that and his unkempt fur he looked healthy enough.

"Our Alphas have just opened the borders to new members, but you'll have to be seen by someone who has the power to accept you." She lifted her muzzle to the sky, keeping her eye on Aerofade, and gave a deep, loud howl. She was summoning a sentry, or someone with a higher rank than her own to come and see if this wolf was acceptable or not. She hadn't met anyone other than Sofika, but weither it was she who heard her call, she didn't know. NightBlood sat down, eyeing the male as she awaited the arival of a high-ranker.

[Sofika]

Sofika shuffled around in the shadows, glancing here and there, tilting her nose this way and that. She was looking for, and sniffing for the presence of Crow, but she was nowhere to be detected. Dropping her maw to her chest, the alpha gave a slight snort and stared upon the border as it drifted into the horizon. She could see the faint lights of Hallow Village flickering amongst a thick mist which seemed to have accumulated between the houses. Smirking, Sofika watched for a few moments more, before pushing off form her powerful limbs into a steady trot down the hill on which she stood. Ears flickering, she eyed the border for sign of the sentry, and when that sight went unfounded, she decided to take matters into her owns paws.

Snaking slowly between the trees, she allowed herself time to think before she greeted this new wolf. From her high rock perch she had watched like a hawk as the green, black and white brute had come to her borderline. From there, she had heard his echoes, a call for acceptance, and she deliberately waited. Licking her lips as she moved, she could taste the stench of the churned up mud beneath her feet as she went. Not the most pleasant of taste, but it did not bother her, for these were her lands. And over which, she was proud to reign. Between her toes the mud spilled and over her paw. With a flick of her delicate wrist however, it flew off and she pressed on wards.

The scent of the new one, and Nightblood wafted to her nostrils as she approached slowly and carefully. Her ears were pricked, intent on listening to the conversation between the two. The newly accepted female was doing well in maintaining the security of the border. For only a few days now had she graced the pack with her presence, and was already proving her worth. Some of the other members who had been here long enough had done nothing to contribute to the packs well being. This put them down. Right down. Made them look lazy. And they were. Except Crow, and Ecclesiastes though. Their efforts pleased her.

Emerging from the bushes, like she had when she had come across Nightblood and several others, she revealed her lanky self. A dark, plush coat covered her lithe self. Two spots of neon blue radiated on her maw in the faint light. An expressionless feature was upon her face as she stared blankly at the two through fur covered eyes. Erecting her tail, her fur bristled and she held her head high to signal her position, but no doubt her scent had told them that already. If not, the two knew not there place. Nodding her head, she thanked Nightblood, and smiled at her. Then, she thanked her vocally with a soft voice.

" Thank you Nightblood, for watching this wolf until I arrived. Now, who is this that stands before me? The acceptance in which you sought when you howled to the pack... does that wish remain with you now? "

[nightblood]

{{Aerofade... your turn, mate...}}