Nightblood, Where Are You? (NightBlood, Sofika)

[shadeblood]

" You may see Nightblood. However you need not enter these lands and be seen as a slave. You may join my pack as a subordinate, like the others, treated fairly with decency, provided with protection and shelter. All I ask of you is for you to be loyal and an active member of the community. "

Shade's heart soared as he heard the words. He smiled and sat up, dipping his head respectively to the Alphess before turning to the bushes he knew Nightblood was. He would have another chance at life. A good one, it seemed. Not like his old life. He was glad that this black she-wolf had finally loosened up on him. It was fine by him if he wasn't treated as a slave. However, he would take any chance at all to do her bidding if that was what it took to repay her. She had a chance to kill him. She had a chance to chase him off when what he'd searched for for so long was so close. But she hadn't. And he was glad.

Seeing Nightblood step out was like seeing a long-dead wolf suddenly spring back to life in front of him. For so long, he'd thought she might be dead. Might be somewhere so lost and alone that he'd never find her. And yet, here she was, and she looked fine. As she approached the Alphess, Shade heard her say something, but he couldn't hear exactly what it was. A thank you, perhaps? He smiled at her, his tail wagging frantically. But before he took one pawstep towards her, he turned to the black Alphess and said queitly.

"Thank you. I am in your debt. I would gladly become a member of your pack. It may be the only way to repay you. Thank you so very much..."

[Sofika]

" Yes " she replied to Nightblood. While Nightblood's question could have meant several things, so could Sofika's answer.

Licking her maw the alphess noted the happiness on the males face. She decided she had made a good decision to allow him to see his cousin. She knew that he must have felt relief now that all his searching had come to an end. Remaining on four she watched them both and nodded.

" I suppose I can leave him in your hands Nightblood to show him around, get him used to the lands? " That would give the two more time to talk to one another and it would give Nightblood something useful to do. Sofika also assumed he would be more comfortable being shown about by a familiar face.

Sofika stepped back a few steps and looked to the shadows then back at them both. While her body remained facing them her head was cocked slightly to the side and she was looked to the shadows.

[nightblood]

NightBlood grinned at Sofika's single-syllable answer. It was one of the many qualities she liked about this timber. Subtle, yet knowing most, if not all, things. If fate permitted it, perhaps she would learn her secrets. But that would have to come at a different time. Nodding in answer, NightBlood prepared herself for a barrage of questions. Showing Shade around would be no easy task. He would probably stop every few steps to ask her about her jurney here.

The giant turned to face ShadeBlood. She held her head high now, showing him that she had lost none of her Dravirian pride and dignity now that she was an Anrlan subordinate. Her ears pressed forward, but she kept her tail from rising in Sofika's presence. Of the three of them, she was the only one with rank. However more dominate NightBlood was to Shade, Sofika trumped her with that fact.

Night's expression softened a bit as she looked upon her cousin. She could easily recall every andventure with him when they were young. If she had had her way, she would have picked him for the rank of beta in Draviria. But it was not to happen. For now, they would share the rank of Arnlan subordinate.

She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. What do you say to a long-lost relative once they've found you again? She quickly decided it was a good time to try a joke.

"So you've been stalking me, have you? Was I hard to track?"

[shadeblood]

Shad laughed at Nightblood's first question. It was odd to know she was with him once more. He turned to the black timber still hidden in the shadows and gave a nod of thanks before turning to his cousin. It felt odd. Very much so. He'd not seen her in so long...yet here she was now, right before him. What to say...?

"You bet. I guess stalking you has held it's many hardships just for me."

He paused a moment. After the single moment it took for the off-ness to fade, he started his boldozing of questions.

"How did you get here, Night? Are you very high ranking? How long have you been here excactly? Why did you leave our pack in the first place? After all this time, I've been wondering why you left,. You just up and abandoned us for no good reason, is that it?"

Somehow, an awkward anger had started to burn a little inside him. She had left him so long ago. Just...abandoned him. Why? Why...

[nightblood]

"The elders didn't tell you?

NightBlood was surprised. Surely they would have told the ex-beta heir about the dissapearence of the ex-alpha heir? Perhaps they didn't want him to worry? No matter. As much as she didn't like talking, she would tell him everything she thought he needed to know.

"A pup ticked me off and they didn't like the way I reacted, so they bannished me."

A grin made it's way across her maw. It was a funny way of telling him what really happened. In all honesty, she was amazed she had summed it up in one scentence.

"I came here by chance, just wandering around for a while. No, I'm not ranked at all. I was here for about two weeks at first, then I was captured by humans. I escaped after a while and found my way back here again. I've been in Arnlan for three weeks in all."

Her jaw ached now. She hadn't talked that quickly before, but it was still slow enough that she knew Shade would be able to understand it. After a moment's rest, she turned toward the shadows and signaled her cousin to follow.

"Come. We'll talk as I show you around."

[shadeblood]

(I hope I'm doing this right and aren't RPing him wrong? Am I off at all? *nervous*)

At Night's breif, one-sentence explanation, Shade snorted. There was no way it was that simple. What, did she kill the pup or something? Yeah, that had to be it. He shook his head and listened to her short story. He was barely able to ctach what she was saying, she was talking so fast. But slowly, it all registered in his head.

At her invitation, he smiled and began to trot forward, though not entirely sure of where he was going. He grinned and romped forward, his tail wagging playfully. He whipped around and barked an invitation to play.

"Play first, then talk. You've told me enough already. Come on!"

And with that he dove forward, trying to topple his cousin.

[nightblood]

{{You're doing fine. You've got him right. They're subtle opposites at times, but Shade knows when not to mess with Night. This is a good time to play now that they've found eachother. ^^ }}

NightBlood watched as her cousin began to romp and invite her to play. It took only a second for the gesture to register in her mind. Ziko had made similar moves when she first met the pup. The big wolf smiled and leaned into ShadeBlood's dive, countering his momentum with her own force. She took the blow full-on, but was only buffeted back a few inches.

When the opportunity arose, NightBlood leaped forward toward the trees. She would multitask, show him around while they played. She turned around and looked at him with a strange gleam in her eyes. It was rare to see NightBlood happy, let alone willing to play. Though the position was natural to her wolf body, Night didn't realize that she too had moved into the same play-bow a pup would make. She hit the ground with the whole of both front legs while her tail remained up and wagging. She barked at her cousin and turned back into the trees, racing him into Arnlan.

[shadeblood]

Shade tumbled right into her, hurting his head a little as his cousin took his leap full-force. He grinned and swatted at her ear before stepping back a little, watching her eagerly to see what she would do next. It was great to finally have something to enjoy after his long journey. It had certainly payed off.

Shadeblood let out a small chuckle and romped after his cousin, trying to keep up as she ran into those dark trees. It might be hard to see Night's pelt in this blackness, but he sprinted into the shadows nonetheless. He didn't know this land like the back of his paw like Night seemed to, but he would follow her and learn how to recognize each tree. At least, one could hope as much.

(Sorry. I'm a tad braindead and my keyboard's not been working very well lately. Sorry for the way-long delay!)

[nightblood]

{{It's okay, Shan! But let's pick this up in a new thread. It's a whole 'nother plot now. ^^ }}

[Shantik]

(Ok, then. Where at? What's the new thread?)

[nightblood]

{{I'll make an intro and send you the link.}}