Another Day (Acceptance?)

[olonai]

OOC| Sorry, I'm a tad confused as to whether he's accepted or not so this might go the wrong way entirely. Honestly folks, I hardly even know what Arnlan looks like.

His head was set gently on his forepaws, a thoughtful look in his copper eyes. It was still dark in Arnlan (Even if it was always somewhat dark). Currently, however, the sun had yet to crest the horizon and Olonai found time to ponder in the waking world. Was the rest of the world awake yet? Was the pack awake? Olonai didn't know. He chose the outskirts rather than within the real den of the pack to dwell. After all, despite his entire life being -in a sense- part of the pack, he was still an outsider. No, Olonai wasn't an omega or some spawn which the pack permitted to linger about, but was an actual part of the life there. All the same, Olonai had never come across any of the truly high-ranking and therefore, concluded in his own thoughts, that he was not accepted.

I am not worthy of acceptance. He thought humbly. Olonai always tried to be humble. His long limbs which were well-bulked with muscles used frequently were relaxed, but only added to his serene figure thinking of little but loyalty. Despite his figure, he thought little of himself. He loved Arnlan. He would do anything for the pack. If there was a brainwashed fool alive, Olonai was an archetype - except that he wasn't stupid.

Blinking before shading his eyes to little metallic strips, Olo glanced about himself in the darkness. He was familiar with the multi-faceted levels of shadows always being about him and found peace in the dawn and dusk when everything was truly accepted in shades of grey -- Sometimes, Olonai thought he was meant to be blind. After all, he hadn't the common pupil but only more copper which made him eerie to look at face on and he rarely judged as others did. He was too gentle within to try and fight someone for dominance. He simply accepted being strong and did little else and was either pushed side by the more ferocious or given the position because his aura gave him greatness. His presence gave him leadership, his heart gave him power, but he really didn't need his eyes. His other senses guided him.

What was he rambling about? Olo shook himself and rose on weighted paws. It was morning and to rise always made him stiff. Perhaps today, he would find real acceptance.

[Sofika]

Lithe form travelled gracefully over the lands, leaving behind a trail of soft prints in the snow, that were then swept away with a swish of a thick tail. The sun, as far as this one could see, had indeed, not risen in the sky, and the morning was dark. Clouds of grey and black littered the sky, and a slight drizzle of rain began to fall upon the lands. Haze escaped between the clenched teeth of this black figure as she slowed her pace to a gentle trot, watching her lands carefully. A sigh came of her as she sniffed the air. The cold bit at her leathery nose however she did not feel this. After countless years of living in such harsh conditions, Sofika had quickly adapted and became used to such climate.

Shadows seemed to consume the land of Arnlan, and this was of great advantage to herself and her brother; ebony pelt the shade of midnight proved great camoflauge for them. Neon blue spots were on either side of the female's muzzle, and they appeared to glow if only a little in the darkness in which she now entered, moving into the forest border line. The crunching of paws on snow echoed in the female's mind before the sound came to her hollow black ears. Bounding forward two steps, Sofika leaped from the shelter of bushes and trees that lined the border. What she saw before her, was a wolf, with pelt colours similar to that of the dark sky above. Glazed eyes were upon the wolfs face. Her own eyes, were concealed behind her veil of hair that covered her face. Rain washed against her sleek pelt, giving a slight shine to it.

Without a word, the Alphess stood, like a shadow, hidden almost completely from view by the black of the forest trees. Nostrils flaring with the scent of the other, the Alphesss allowed a quiet growl to escape her sealed lips,as droplets of rain rolled along her blue spotted maw. Erect behind her, bristling with the rest of her long yet neat pelt, was her tail, in a sign of dominance and authority. Holding her head high, the she wolf kept her gaze upon the brute, her growls becoming slightly more persistant. Standing upon the ground that was covered in thick snow, she did not stirr. What this wolf was doing on her borders, what its intentions were, was concluded in her mind, however confirmation of her knowledge would please her. Self satisfaction came from the predictions that she created in her mind.

" You there. State your name and business..." she said briskly, in a voice demandant of a quick and short reply.

[olonai]

Olonai was inclined to look up slightly as with the dawn, so came the rain. As always, with the end of summer the rain felt colder despite the thick pelt accustomed to such perpetual dampness. Alas, the water sliced through his thought patterns so swiftly that he became a blank slate. What had he been thinking about? How he loathed that his brain was burdened by menial things so swiftly. It would do him little good to be distracted if more important things were at hand another time. Foolish Olo, you serve no purpose if your mind cannot be kept even to the task of thinking. He thought, finding himself pathetic and too close to the stereotype of a thoughtless brute. He didn't like being normal.

The mucky ground gave way to the gentle squelch of another approaching, and Olonai was immediately on guard. The odor was familiar and therefore disturbing. Sofika had come. Bowing his head slightly towards her, his luminous, copper orbs remained steadfastly where he knew her eyes to be veiled. Despite signs of respect, Olonai did not want to appear extraordinarily weak to the alphess he so aspired to impress. How? Olonai hadn't the faintest idea.

Maintain eye contact while glancing over the fine alphess' figure, Olonai concluded that he should comply and answer her straight away. His tail lagging to show no sign of true defense and mild submission, Olo responded: "I am Olonai. My purpose is to live and to serve, lady alpha." He said politely, for the first time glancing away as he lowered one forepaw in a deep-set bow not to be mistaken with the playful stance of a pup. Even if he was bold enough not to cower, he wasn't stupid enough not to give the alphess as great respect as possible. Despite his living here all his life, the murk of the land clouded most memories that were forgotten the next day. If he had ever crossed paths with the ambiguous she-wolf before, it was lost in mist.

Please. This is my home. He thought to himself, copper gaze fastening back to the fur-covered spot on her visage. He couldn't leave.

[Sofika]

Becoming irritated with such waiting for an answer, Sofika averted her gaze to observe the wolf . The rain that fell from the clouds above, she could see, matted the pelt of this brute, and she could feel is coating her own. Two steps of her mitts brought the Alphess forward to the male as he lowered his body into submission. A smile twitched on her ebony lips as he did so. Enjoying the sight of him doing so, the female remained quiet until he spoke. Twitching, her ears flicked on her head, swaying to assess the distant howls in the background. Arnlan was indeed quiet this morning. A scolding would be of those lazy mutts, if activity continued in the way that it was.

" I am Olonai. My purpose is to live and to serve, lady alpha. "

A snort was of her nose as he finished, eying her up in an almost pleading manner. He had not stated his business. Although she had ceased to growl, her throat rumbled quietly under her breath as she calmly watched him. Perhaps he misunderstood her. Although, what was there to not understand? Reviewing her words in her head, she concluded that he had indeed, failed to fully answer her. And of course, he was here to live and serve, as were all these wolves in the pack. The snow and mud felt pleasant between the toes of Sofika, as she grabbed at the snow to maintain her balance and strong posture. Often did she do this, just for her own personal pleasure of feeling the earth beneath her ebony pads.

" State your business, Olonai." she repeated, now addressing him by his name. Her voice was not too loud, not too quite, and she responded with no tone. Oh how she hated to repeat herself to wolves who failed to answer to her words. Olonai. Arnlan needed more wolves. Their scum pit had run out of wolves, and their young warriors needed to practice and perfect their skills. If this wolf did not obied by her questioning, he would be taken as a hostage into Arnlan. The thought brought a grin to her features, and again, patiently, she waited for the wolf, to see whether he would use this second chance to respond appropriately or not.

[olonai]

Olonai felt his stomach sink imperceptibly. How had he answered her incorrectly? He had informed her that his business was to live and to serve. Did she want something else of him after all this time of lingering on the edge? How could he answer her properly when he had suddenly lost comprehension of what she was saying? The glassy marbles of Olonai's eyes whirled in their sockets revealing confusion as he tried to perceive what the alphess wanted. Olonai was at a loss.

Straightening as not to be at a poor position if he could not properly respond to the alphess, he now looked upon her from his greater height. To the femme he knew that he wasn't formidable despite his mass. She was alpha, and he was not. Ergo, should he cross her he would be the one at the mercies of a pack that he ha always believed he could be a part of. Now, all naiveté' was shattered and he knew that he was like any other intruder. Could he explain this to her? Unlikely, for now he saw how great a miserable groundling he was like the soggy earth beneath the alphess' kneading toes.

"Lady, I meant you no offense. Was my answer not clear to your question?" He said, withholding the befuddlement that permeated his thoughts. "My business is to serve you. I only lived to wait for your call." Olonai sounded bewildered which he didn't approve of in himself. It made him seem like a mass of useless, wet fur. he knew Sofika wouldn't be impressed, but how could he gain approval? To submit too easily would make her turn away, to attack her would be the ultimate folly; Olonai could do nothing but hope that Sofika would be in good graces this morning.

The faint and dispersed cries in the greater pack lands drew Olonai's attention away from the present situation. He wished that this trial could be over, but even if it ended, it might not end in his favour. Alas, fancies led him nowhere but back to now. Now, what would Sofika think. Olonai didn't like that he had already been forced to apologize, but there was little else he could do. Pathetic...

[Sofika]

Behind those dark clouds in the sky, the sun slowly burned, and streaks of light shone in gaps in the clouds. The rain was letting up until it ceased to fall. A shadow was cast upon the mysterious female's features as she watched through her veil of fur that covered her eyes. Snorting a little at the wolfs frustration, Sofika pressed her mitts firmly on the ground, grabbing at the slush and mud. He had answered in such a way that he might understand, but she had not. What Olonai had saved he lived to serve, but he had not stated whom he lived to serve. Indeed, he had finished his sentence with lady alpha, but he not included the word you to be specific.

Shaking her head gently from side to side, water fell from her fur whilst licking her lips at the same time. The day was normal, except the meeting of this newcomer. Not often had a wolf sought acceptance into Arnlan. Many rumours had gone around, and they seemed to scare off any wolf who dared ask acceptance. This wolf amused Sofika. Moving to wards him as he straightened himself, so that he was so longer slouching; because he was, and she had noticed, even if he had not, Sofika observed the strong build of the wolf. If he did not prove loyal to the pack, she could always throw him in the scum pit with the rest of the dogs. Her smirk remained as she flexed her muscles, circling the brute slowly.

" I do believe there were misunderstandings. However, now that you have clarified your intentions, we should ignore the matter as to why you were unclear. You live to serve me."

Voice rather high in tone, and matter of fact, Sofika resumed her pacing around Olonai, her tail brushing away the paw prints that she left behind in the snow and mud. Despite the ground being rather wet, no speckles of dirt splashed upon her slender legs that moved slowly forth. It was almost as if her presence repelled all things filthy from attaching themselves to her sleek fur. Above them, the clouds were parting, and the lands were filled with patches of light and darkness. Darkness, was above them. Grinning, the Alphess came to a halt by Olonai's side, and she sniffed at him. Her leathery nose twitched gently, then, pulling back her maw she wrinkled her nostrils and took her place before him again.

" You do know, that once you enter these lands, you will never be permitted leave, unless it is granted so by myself."

Like her brother, Sofika spoke with no question in her tone. Merely, she stated everything as it were. She did not need to inquire such simple things, that she knew too well the answer. Flicking her bristled tail in the air, she nodded her head, and turned to face Olonai. With this, she was not expecting a quick reply. Sofika would allow him to think this over. Regadless of his decision, he was coming into Arnlan anyway. If his decision altered, he would become scum to the pack. If he however, wished to join them, he would enter as a subordinate.

[olonai]

Olonai's eyes followed Sofika's motions as far as his optic fibers would permit before he had to simply remained, blind to her position with sight, but well aware of her presence in every other form. She was slow and graceful, but not gracious. Everything about her forced her to remain veiled in suspicion and mystery, but that hardly fazed Olonai. Since the days he could remember, he had wanted to truly serve the Arnlan and be one of them. if he had always been of Arnlan blood was irrelevant because she, Sofika, had conceded.

Preventing a smile from cresting his lips, he nodded his understanding before reaffirming his gesture with words. "I know the price of my commitment though it is hardly price at all. it is an honour to serve those worth serving and is privilege rather than price." Olonai was sincere. To him in the vague haze of dreams recollected had always wanted to be permitted into the circle of those beyond. How he came to it was not important any longer. She had given him assent and now he would rise to the occasion and do what was required in the Arnlan pack.

However, despite his mental devoutness one thing struck a chord in Olonai's mind. Karolek. Sofika was the one who approached and spoke in commands rather than queries, but what about her brother? Would Olonai serve Sofika's brother also? "And Karolek?" He dared to issue the name from his mouth. Somehow, he believed that Sofika wouldn't round on him despite the growls that had been present since first she admitted her presence to him. "Will I not serve him also?" His copper eyes met the shield of hair before Sofika's eyes again, piercing through to determine the answer. He might see nothing, but a breath before each time Sofika spoke he felt like he knew what she was to say. Perhaps he was only granted this because of the occasion.

Withstanding the scrutiny with little disturbance to his being, Olonai pondered if she would lead him there or what now lay ahead. He wanted to serve and to assist. He wanted to rise amongst the shadows and be great under alpha and alphess. I live to serve. Olonai thought again; one memory from an unknown location that had remained all his life.

[Sofika]

"I know the price of my commitment though it is hardly price at all. it is an honour to serve those worth serving and is privilege rather than price.

Sincerity was something that Sofika barely acknowledged. Any wolf could be sincere when it was required of them. Kneading her toes into the snow and mud that matted on his mitts, she nodded her head. The Alphess was pleased that he was willing to co- operate, and serve the pack. A privilege was it? This made a smirk widen if only a little. The earth beneath her paws no longer grappled at the soft muck, but they pressed gently into it as she walked slightly to the left, with her gaze still upon Olonai. Licking her lips and then her nose, flicking her tail and twitched her ears, the female stopped.

"Good." replied the Alpha. Swaying her head slightly from side to side, she pivoted around and slowly began to walk to the forest, moving in such a way that would suggest for one to follow into the main lands. All new wolves were to be shown into the mainland, and rules were to be enforced, so that unnecessary rule breaking did not occur. Stopping though in her tracks, her form half in and half out of the forest shade as the sun light cast over the land, her brothers name came to her hollow black ears."And Karolek?" Smirking, Sofika backed slowly out of the forest. Right fore paw of the she wolf levitated slightly before being placed upon the soft ground.

"Will I not serve him also?"

" Yes, you will serve my brother as well as myself." replied the female. Twins were Karolek and Sofika, having stood by each others sides for as long as they had, of course this wolf would be serving him also. As Olonai had hoped, she did not beat him for his inquiry, that required a simple yes or no confirmation. After answering Olonai, the mere subordinates question, she swiftly leaped over a line of bushes that grew at the edge of the trees. A low growl came from her as she landed, telling Olonai to follow her quickly. Dawdling was not expected of a new recruit, who had to be shown around. Sofika had already thought of possible jobs for this wolf to do, so that he may become used to the lands. It was important that he got used to his surroundings quickly.

Lazing around was not tolerated in this pack. She would see that Olonai was kept busy, giving him specific tasks to see what he was capable of. Endurance, she would run him into the ground straight back to the mainlands from which she had slumbered only recently. If Olonai was smart, he would understand immediately, that he was being tested. The black trees of the forest seemed to reach out; their roots were gnarled and stuck out of the wet ground; some branches hung low that one had to duck quickly to avoid a smack in the maw. Forest foliage littered the snow ground. Here, the white had remained undisturbed, and her prints were the first to strike the slush.

[olonai]

Olonai remained stalk still the entire time he was lecture. Granted, most lectures comprised of more words, but it was the things unsaid which were important Olo as he watched the curl of Sofika's mouth, the way she strode across the earth and when she paused, how she breathed. They were signals to the wolf whether her patience was withering yet or if there was still time until he would be punished for impertinence. Thus far, all was well and this please Olonai immensely. After all, this was his dream; wasn't it?

He saw her pause as she began to lead him to the camp and noted her pause before replying about his inquiry to her brother. Was that question impertinent? However, she did not return and snap at him and instead continued along her course which meant Olonai could now follow. What a relief it was to be part of a pack. Despite the fear that was impending, Olo found little of the terror other new pack creatures might face. Olonai was confident in who he was and if that was not good enough, he deserved all consequences thereafter.

He easily launched over the bushes which Sofika had jumped over; his limbs were strong and ready for a race or a long job through the wood. Though he had been about the area many a-time he never thought to invade into the deeper recesses where the secrets of Arnlan were. Instead, he would gaze glazedly into the black distance and imagine himself there rather than where he was currently standing. This time, however, he was moving. Olonai was going into the depths of the unknown though he had long thought he knew. Excitement bridled up inside him and he suddenly felt compelled to howl in triumph, but that wasn't right. Olo must be silent among the alphess unless she bid him speak. He was ready to do her bidding and he would do it properly.

Again, the saying popped into his head. Why did it not annoy him to think he lived to serve? Was it not pathetic to think that was all life was? Perhaps to others, but not to Olonai. No, not for him. Servitude to the prevailing Arnlan was a magnificent fantasy -- for now.