Shadows in Shadows

[olonai]

Olonai padded along with not even thoughts to comfort him. He was utterly alone although not miserably so. Being accepted had been an honour, but wandering around without an actual purpose anymore was slightly disheartening. Before, he had guarded the outskirts without concern for himself while seeking an invitation into the many layers of darkness which veil Arnlan. Now, he had succeeded and was left without a true purpose. He was a mere subordinate with little found in himself when the alphess who had guided him was not nearby. A shadow growing into shadow as I serve without purpose.

The looming gloom that always followed the dawn was the time where Olonai was found simply padding along absent-mindedly. What was he to do with himself now when he knew no one but the alphess and one other like the god Fenris. Both were like him in being solitary. What was a pack in so much solitude? The bonds of these wolves were like hard steel, yet they were as fine as spider's webbing. An intricate and dreary way of life.

Recalling days of life when he spied beyond the borders light of day, Olonai almost regretted being here even though his heart was swallowed with love for the ebony trees and charcoal earth. Everything was moist and cold, yet so alive in this frosty land of spring. How could he even consider leaving this place? It had been only a passing thought, but Olonai scorned his own being for having such a flaky thought amidst such wonders that were now his home.

Perhaps I shall find another. I shall weave my own web of ties amongst the fellows amidst the shades of grey. In this place of unknown numbers who conceal themselves, I shall find purpose and accomplish all. Olonai thought, raising his head a little higher as his brooding slackened to other things, copper eyes vibrant and glowing through the film of black. He was not yet fully Arnlan, for he was not prepared to fall into silence and solemnity completely. Hope and life still kindled in his soul.

[shunketsunoroden]

((hope you don't mind if I bring my char Tokokuni in))

Tokokuni yawned sleepily and trotted briskly through the light layer of snow, her ears perked high on her head, taking in the quiet sounds which seemed to echo softly through the twisted trees. Her pale eyes scanned the area with a tired awareness, and her tail drooped limply at her back. Her entire appearance of unkept fur and half closed eyes hinted at her fretful dreams the night before, though she wished she could just forget them and move on. They still seemed to cling to her mind, the haunting pictures of a past she would never understand, never could anyway.
Glancing about, she took in the soft smell of Arnlan, realizing that since she was so new new here, she barely knew a thing about the area. The only wolf she'd truly spoken with had been the one who had accepted her, and a dark feeling of lonliness was beginning to form in her heart though she did her best to deny it. It seemed like the wolves were they just as mush as they were not, she knew Arnlan had a strong pack, but she'd barely seen any other wolves in the past day. Of course, she'd only been accepted yesterday, was she jumping to conclusion with this impatience for companionship?
Then, her gaze fell upon a wolf standing only a few feet before her, her body tensing. She scolded herself in her head, knowing her unused social skills would have to shine through sooner or later. She wondered whom this wolf was and what he was doing alone out here, though she herself had been without comrades. With a quiet sigh, she pondered over if she should simply leave the wolf in peace or approach him. He looked almost troubled to her, and for a mere moment, a slight hesitation gripped her, her mind growling at her for flight, but she shook such feelings off. With gentle, almost silent steps, she lowered her head and padded over to the wolf. Shaking her head ever so slightly, she prepared to speak and adress the wolf who was yet to become aware of her presence.
"Hello there," she siad in her usual calm tone, her eyes glittering in the soft glow of the skies, "what are you doing out here all alone?"

[olonai]

Olonai turned his head to and fro gradually, drinking in his dim surroundings whilst he meditated rather sheepishly on things he wished would not trouble him. Before being truly a part of Arnlan, he had hardly ever put forth thought to his life as all that truly mattered was sustenance. Now, he felt suddenly alive and dead at the same time. It felt as though lightning itself had fallen from the sky and struck him making him more aware of himself, his surroundings and emotion, yet deadening it all away at the same time. So which was it: dead or alive?

With a sigh, Olo could only accept that he was frustrated and befuddled. Pack life was hard when you were only a fragment of a great ambiguous puzzle in the forest. He supposed that he'd find his place in it eventually when Sofika and Karolek made themselves known to all the newcomers and the like. He wasn't sure if that was done in this pack, but most packs did have a counsel or something occasionally. Olonai hoped that it would occur soon. He itched to know more and have a place more than just being a subordinate. He wasn't ambitious, but he didn't like the idea of being lowly amongst the pack. To be treated as scum, he felt, was undeserving.

An intake of breath later and Olonai swung his head around. Somehow, another of most peculiar features had been able to sneak up on him. Ears resting high on his skull he invited her to draw closer if she would, whilst he glanced over her. It was apparent that she was part of the pack; she had that lightning-struck look in her eyes and through her oddly-hued pelt. It was like being singed with an unseen bolt, but you were changed. Olonai found it difficult to respond after she had spoke, but managed all the same with: "I was simply thinking, though thoughts at not kindred spirits in my mind." He said, trying not to look nearly so wistful and melancholy and smile just a bit in a smirking way.

All the same, Olonai wondered why anyone would ask what one was doing before a name or anything else. Though many said it was not the name that mattered, Olonai had seen wolves shaped to their names and not the other way around. Names were one of the few things he found important. Inclining his head after he responded in a slight bowing gesture, Olonai asked, "I am Olonai, milady. May I ask who are you who, too, wander alone in the Arnlan woods?" His smile deepened in sincerity.

[shunketsunoroden]

Tokokuni gave a polite smile, telling herself silently not to be tense before this wolf. She really needed to get used to being around others, and this seemed like a friendly start.
"My name is Tokokuni," she dipped her head in greeting, "I'm new to the pack of Arnlan."
Tokokuni padded over to the lone wolf and plopped down in the snow, her tail swishing playfully behind her, a slight smile crossing her soft face. She hoped this wolf didn't take her rude, but she had been feeling a good bit lonely all these years, and company was beginning to feel warm and welcoming to her.
She hoped the other wolves of the pack would be kind to her, though after her run in with ArchAngel earlier, she was a bit disshelved. Secretly, she hoped she woudl never meet that brute again. She'd hated the way he'd toyed with her, manipulated her most truthful words into dirty lies. It had disgusted her, and made her think twice about joinging this mysterious pack, but those feelings of fear were quickly beginning to diminish.
She sighed soflty, looking over at the other wolf with her glowing eyes. She hoped his answer would be kind, forshe was tired of rudeness from other wolves. To her, this wolf didn't appear much of a threat so far, and prayed it would stay that way...
((sorry that was so short but at least it was something...))

[wicked]

((May I join you two?))

It had only been just a few moments ago that the owner of two sharp blue eyes had been allowed to safely join the Arnlan pack. Now those same eyes, and their owner, traveled swiftly through the forest of black steadfast trees. So far, Sofika was the only one Phoenix had encountered on her rendezvous here, and she hoped to see more of this mysterious pack as she became accumulated with her new home.

The blonde she-wolf, a peculiar pelt color for a land as shadowed as Arnlan, loped with spry delicacy. Each bound striding a bit farther than the last. Her tall, but thinly built frame writhed and stretch with each fluid stride, her tensing and pulsating muscles could be seen in her powerful forepaws and haunches. Her auburn ears held back against her skull, she deeply inhaled the scent of these woods; oh how it sparked a sense of home in her mind. A small smile fluttered to the fae's dark lips as she continued her sprint, weaving in between the ebony guardians of these woods.

After running some distance again, she inhaled that sweet scent of her new pack-lands once again, though this time, the scent of not one, but two fellow wolves wafted in on the howling winds. Neither of these scents belonged to Sofika, rather they were fellow packmates that Phoenix had not yet become acquainted with. Wishing to familiarize herself with those she would be hunting for and defending, she quickly sped off toward the source of these two scents.

Stopping a short distance away from sight range, the scene of which two Arnlan wolves, a male and a female, had come upon each other. Apparently they had not met before, as they were introducing themselves to each other. Phoenix wondered if she should step forward, but deciding not to interrupt their conversation, no matter how un-intricate it was, she was not one to barge in uninvited.

[olonai]

Olonai felt at ease with Tokokuni. In her stance and her eyes, Olonai didn’t feel as horribly scrutinized as under the hidden gaze of Sofika or Anthracite. On the other hand, it was Sofika’s job and perhaps Anthracite construed him because if he were to ever become a general, he must know his comrades and subordinates extremely well. It would do no other way.

Olonai liked Tokokuni’s name. It was a foreign sounding and rolled off the tongue so uniquely although one could easily stammer over the syllables if not spoken with a practiced mouth. Olonai, no doubt, would scramble her name on occasion, but would try not to embarrass her. He liked this strange wolf. All the same, he still wondered what she was doing out here if she was new as she said. Was she patrolling also? No, she had seemed too sad for mere pack patrol and being new, she probably hadn’t considered that as her first option.

“I am new to the pack also, but accustomed to its ways. I’ve lived on the borders for some time. Tell me, do you like the dark?” Olonai asked, tilting his head good-naturedly to express his lack of interest in the fact that she sat or stood. That wasn’t what was important to him. Finding himself striving to be courteous towards Tokokuni, he allowed his own rump to hit the cold earth as his bushy tail curled around his hindquarter. Snow was not the best to sit on, but that chill had not seeped through his thick winter pelt yet and spring had only just begun it seemed.

His ears flicked back at the faintest sound not far off. Someone had been moving along at a steady clip and stopped. Where were they now? Eyes narrowing slightly, Olo turned his head to look out with those pupil-lacking optics and spy who had ceased movement in a single motion. The running had not disturbed him because prey could run as could predators, but stopping was when one should be concerned. Either your prey was aware of you and would soon run madly out of reach, or the predator was coiling to pounce on the unsuspecting. Though Olonai had never considered himself prey before, he very much doubted that the gait had been of something feeble to be crunched.

“Did you hear someone?” Olonai asked, fixing one copper orb upon Tokokuni whilst scanning with the other. Perhaps whoever it was just nearly out of sight and behind some dense underbrush and neatly tucked away. Were they spying on the two new fellows of the pack? For what purpose? If Olonai saw them, he would bring them to question simply because he would not rest easily otherwise. “You who hides, come out!”

OOC|Is Maori the same as Phoenix?

[wicked]

The cerulean gaze of Phoenix watched on from the shadows. She paid no heed to their conversation, as it was the business of the male and female alone, and Phoenix was not one to invade privacy, especially of those she would have to live and work with in a pack.

Her swift approach on the duo had not gone unnoticed, as Phoenix had perceived earlier. She knew that they could sense her presence, and she preffered it so. She was not one to try and sneak around and eavesdrop on her peers, rather she'd more likely make a known approach but wait until she was spoken to, to come forth and announce herself. This time, her presence was noted by the darker male of the two, markedly by the small flick of his ears at the sound of the blond she-wolf's approach.

Phoenix kept her position hidden in the brush, waiting to make her introduction to the two wolves before her.

“Did you hear someone?”

Apparently, Phoenix was correct in assuming that the male had noticed the crunch of the underbrush that Phoenix's paws had made at her forthcoming.

“You who hides, come out!”

Phoenix's body rose from the undergrowth as she slowly stepped forward into the view of both wolves. "Pardon my somewhat awkward introduction, but I did not wish to interrupt the conversation which you two had been engaged in," Phoenix said in formal tones, bowing her head slightly as an introductory behavior.

[shunketsunoroden]

((I'm sorry I haven't replied for so long but I'm very busy right now! Coudl you guys please wait a little while? I'll try and post as soon as I can!))

[shunketsunoroden]

Tokokuni dipped her head in greeting, her eyes taking a calm, tranquil glitter. She knew from first glance this wolf was not here with an intent to harm, and the scent of Arnlan clung to her as it did to the trees looming around them. A slight smile crept over Tokokuni's face as she realized how much happier she felt when she was with others, she'd never known socializing could be something to look forward to. In fact, she'd been so alone for such a long time, that she'd nearly forgotten how to hold a real conversation at all, but she was quickly warming up to these wolves. They weren't at all like the wolf she'd met earlier. She shuddered when she remembered that dark brute, hoping she wouldn't cross paths with Archangel any time soon.

"Hello," Tokokuni's voice was calm and clear, "Might I ask your name, I am reffered to as Tokokuni, but did you already hear that?"

Tokokuni titled her head slightly in an inquisitive manner, stealing a quick glance at Olonai. Surely this wolf could be no threat, for the other wolf didn't seem alarmed, either that or he was hiding his feelings very well. Tokokuni's smile grew wider, a warm glow seeming to radiate from her eyes as the grin developed into a feeling she'd never felt before. And she silently prayed she'd be able to hold on to this sweet estacy, this wonderful calm that seemed to waft from their words even as the trees waved about in a foreboding manner and the frigid wind chilled her very soul. But Tokokuni brushed such cold away, and patiently awaited an answer from the other wolf.

[olonai]

Olonai lowered his head politely as Phoenix had. Others he had met, thus far, had not taken this formality and he was pleased that the entirety of the forest had not forgotten proper conduct. The world was not fresh kills and bird songs so manners were still greatly appreciated by Olonai. Perhaps some discovered bows and inclinations of the head too rigid in procedure, but Olonai found that one could learn a great deal from how one inclined their head. Were they graceful? Deeply polite or merely curt? Was the bow solemn or fringed with a smile or sign of pleasure? So many minor details were the wolf's ally while assuming a casual stance himself. What would others see?

"I am Olonai." He said voice soft and melodious. The rich baritone hung loosely amidst the waving boughs of the trees whose movement did not reach the forest floor. The triangular meeting had not separated and stood facing one another with curiousity and apprehension. Olonai was thrilled. As far as he was concerned, he was on level ground with two other subordinates who, despite being femmes, were intellectuals who might broaden horizons for bonds of varying levels.

Copper eyes flickered from one she-wolf to the other who was so different from one another and from himself. He was the dark shadow of the bunch with flickers of silver amongst the dark charcoal and ebony while one was the sun who never passed into the brooding gloom and the other, a warming frost in her pale hue. What could he say, Olonai adored observing because words were not his strong point. All the same, he must try to carry the conversation lest the two which he enjoyed watching left.

"What brings you both here?" He asked, needing the earth with one forepaw anxiously. Although he liked equality, he felt better as servant to another. Olonai would never rise in rank where wits were involved.

[shunketsunoroden]

((ooc: I finally replied! And I'm sorry if it seems like I'm repeating myslef ))

Tokokuni dipped her head in a respectful greeting, giving the dark colored wolf a look that could be considered a true smile. So far, she liked this wolf's attitude, not really cold, just friendly in his own way. She noticed the quiet way he looked at the two wolves, but she regarded it without hostility or anger, which she would have done if it had been anyone she hadn't trusted. She shuddered as the cool breeze played through her fur, giving her head a gentle shake to toss the mass of blue from her face, hating it when her fur shaded her vision. It had always annoyed her a bit, and it always seemed to happen at times when she forgot it ever did, almost like she was being reminded. Reminded that she had a good deal of fur for a wolf her size.

Still she too wanted to keep this conversation going, but for different reasons. She needed to face the facts; she needed some wolves to speak with in this pack. If she planned to endure the hardships of the future, then she would need allies within this new place. And though she struggled to find the right words to say, she hoped nothing would be thought of as offending, for she was never around others much. Her life had been lived in solitude until this point. She just hoped her shyness couldn't be seen, for she had learned to keep her head very well, and knew to think over her thoughts before letting sound to the frigid wind.

" I am new to Anrlan, and I've been searching for some company for I've been alone all my life," she sighed slightly, but not at all out of usual terms, "how long have you been in Arnlan, Olanai, Phoenix?"
She thought her question appropriate, and it was also something she would simply like to know, wondering how long these wolves had been in this mysterious land.

"And," she added, finding another question strike her mind directly after the first, "what brought you here?"
Now that was a real question, for she knew some had difficult answers. She had come here because she was so tired of being alone and lost, she'd come here for a home, a place to be, a place to live and make an impact on her growing world. She'd never been much of anything when she was alone, but things seemed different now. She patiently waited ofr the wolves answers, knowing such questions could take some thought. And she had never been one to rush others.

[wicked]

Thus far, the golden she-wolf had observed and watched the conversation unfold before her like a tall of some odd fiction being written as each wolf spoke their piece. Phoenix looked from the male to the female, in the trio's self-designed triangle of conference.

Phoenix listened to Tokokuni's words carefully deciphering them, she noted her melodious tones and became familiar with the sound of her voice, as well as Olonai's. A faint sign of a smile crossed the fae's lips upon notice that this other she-wolf was quite new to the lands of Arnlan, just like Phoenix herself was a new stranger to this dark and secluded forest.

Despite not having known either of her two fellows for very long, Phoenix had already begun to feel comfortable with them. However, no matter how much she confided of trusted within them, Phoenix was and would always remain cautious of everything and everyone, be it friend or foe.

It was just in her nature to behave in such a manner. Though her usually stoic demeanor did find itself smiling or showing some faint emotion, she would always return to a blank expression, coupled with a somewhat cold attitude. It just took a few moments of cleverly planned excavation to see that Phoenix did posses strong emotions and dedication to what she believed in.

Resuming her general composure, one which displayed a soul lacking of strong emotional constructs while at the same time, devoted and loyal to her alphas, friends, and pack. Phoenix replied to Tokokuni's question, "I have only just arrived here in Arnlan, though i hope to become more familiar with these lands and my fellow pack mates," she said, giving each wolf a small nod. "I traveled here solely to find some protection and security within a large pack, and added to that, I also admire how Alpha Karolek and Alphess Sofika govern these woods. Given the opportunity, I would do anything to serve them to the best of my ability," Phoenix's words were full of strength and a determined fire blazed within her icy blue orbs. She said all of this while her delicately featured face was completely void of emotion, and yet, her words had a powerful meaning. It seemed that one didn't need to posses emotions to convey a strong thought or statement.

[olonai]

The tranquility interspersed with the frigid surroundings caused Olonai to marvel. Through the uniting of pack members, a thrill and warmth filtered through the air despite the chilling breeze that only sang of a frosty spring in Sweden. The lands smothered in various shades of grey and smothered one's hopes and ambitions hardly touched upon the trio who fed on one another and their tides of calm. Sharing pasts was like sharing a kill; wolves understood and remembered. These first few would not be easily forgotten.

Olonai acknowledged both what Tokokuni and Phoenix had to say about their introductions, feeling slightly superior to them having been in this land a long time. What should he say of himself? It would seem that they expected him to express some profound and deep expression of himself for what he sought and how he had come here. Certainly, details weren't important, but Olo could hardly even provide them with those were they asked for.

His ears swiveled backwards, hearing the sounds of doubt tinkling in the back of his mind which he swiftly brushed away before the urgency to respond opened his lips. "I have always been in Arnlan; not a pack member or subordinate as I stand now though. I have just simply been in the shadows and darkness which I always thought of as home. Any other path but to be accepted here never crossed my mind though I have little to be sheltered by." He said, picking a particularly dark notch in a tree to focus on rather than the two femmes around him. Suffice to say he felt slightly uncomfortable.

Olonai had only met females of the pack and all were incredibly strong. In the mind where the only real wolves he encountered dwelled, an image of the males leading the gathered had steadily been interwoven as his life progressed. Now, Sofika and Karolek ruled as equals and all subordinates were equal likewise. He was no greater than any other nor, in truth, less worthy of power, but he hadn't the ambition even the stoic Phoenix expressed. He was a servant and didn't have the brains to back the bronze when trials would set the brutes from the truly superior. Envy slithered up Olonai's spine as his copper eyes flashed sharply for a moment at Phoenix. For a moment, camaraderie was not what was being expressed here, but current equals sizing up their opponents. Olonai couldn't stand for that.

Instinctively his lip began to quiver and roll back defensively. He couldn't let two cut-throat females so close. They were threats after all. His ears flattened against his head, the courtesy with which both had greeted him forgotten in a momentary frustration with himself mingled with fear. He was going to be surpassed and remain a mongrel amongst the wolves that flanked him. Even these others who had so recently dwelled in Arnlan would run by.

The moment was over and Olonai was stunned. What was he thinking? Had he truly wanted to show his teeth to packmates who had entered and were merely seeking to strengthen ties with others whom they had never met? Paranoia. Olo was disgusted with himself. Bowing his head slightly in apology and turning his bright eyes away from view he murmured an apology, "I am sorry for my rash actions. They make no sense. Let us simply say I live here to serve." His voice filled with remorse was low and unwavering though he felt shaken within. Phoenix held skill to hold in the passion and Olonai could not. As for Tokokuni, perhaps she was the stealthiest of the trio for Olonai could not guess what she thought in the least. What was hiding behind that facade of kindness?

[shunketsunoroden]

((Sorry it takes me so long to reply, I'll try and get these up faster!))



Tokokuni tilted her head to the side, wondering what had caused Olonai to get such a manner about him. It had been like some sort of parasite to her, slowly devouring the other wolf until she knew it was dangerously close to striking. She'd heard his voice take that dark note, and had wondered what it could mean? Why had he suddenly acted as though he intended upon striking fear in her heart? Did he think it would be so easy that she would be broken down with a single snap of the jaws? However, even as he'd revealed his glistening fangs, she hadn't so much as moved, for she wasn't afraid of this wolf. She'd already made that decision. Still, she had to admit her thought had run to springing to her paws for an instant, but all was clam to her now, and the only thing left of the rash action was the hollow feeling always left after such an apology. For a moment there, she'd thought she might have said something offensive.

She'd learned about such words before. Why, her mother had always told her that words could speak more than actions, and she had always respected such a quote. Maybe that was why she chose her words so carefully, thought over them like she had only a small number left to speak, and she could only speak those most important to her. Or maybe it was just the feeling of silence that had gripped her soul for so long, maybe it still lingered, and tightening it’s grasp every so often. But what did those thoughts have to do with the situation before her? Tokokuni growled at herself inside her head, she had to get rid of this voice that kept her words trapped inside the mysterious depths of her mind. Shaking her head slightly, looked back to the other two wolves.

"A servant are you," she gave Olonai an inquiring look, wondering what exactly he meant by servant, 'does that mean you are a member of this pack or not?"
She hoped her question was appropriate, and she solemnly prayed there would be no harm in it. She was simply finding these wolves to be a bit more complicated than she had first perceived.

[wicked]

OCC sry guys' this took me forever to do, I had it all typed up and then my comp crashed so let's try this again:

The watcher, the observer, Phoenix kept her vigilance over her two comrades as each spoke, he ears now welcoming the sound of their voices with pleasure. In doing so, being caught in the lull of their peaceful voices, she was letting herself become far two comfortable with her surroundings, and she mentally scolded herself for letting such an idea slip past her keen mind.

Sitting back on her haunches to further listen to each wolf before her speak, she observed their actions and mannerisms quite well, and was able to make a general guess at their individual personalities. Olonai, for starters, spoke and held himself quite submissively, through Phoenix doubted he was always like this, perhaps it was this situation that all three had found themselves in. He also displayed a fear of speaking and just a general nervousness emanated from him. Tokokuni, on the other hand, seemed to have a much rosier personality, showing extreme excitement and enthrallment with the whole conversation. BUT, Phoenix thought in her mind, 'What could possibly be behind that warm exterior, something darker perhaps?' Or perhaps Phoenix was wrong and blowing the whole thing out of proportion, which would not've been a new thing to her.

The determined fire of loyalty and eager ambition still flooded Phoenix's cerulean orbs as they gaze from one of to another. But she soon found that after she had spoke her piece about serving her Alphas, something started to set Olonai off. Out of the corner of her eye she saw him lay his ears back against his skull and curl his dark lips back, revealing a formidable set of iron jaws.

In a sudden maneuver of agility, she quickly pivoted her self up from her sitting posture and now stood before Olonai, long, nimble legs quivering with adrenaline, her broad chest broaden more by her sudden to of defensiveness. Her delicate, arian features now equipped with a deep set glare in her fiery eyes and a frown graced the maw of the fae as she held her ground, simply waiting for Olonai to follow through.

When he suddenly coward down and lost all of his aggression, so did Phoenix, though in her mind she thought 'It's always useful to be on your guard with friend or foe.' His apologetic words were true and rung in Phoenix's broad ears as she nodded, "It is alright, we are all prone to act rashly at times," she confirmed.