Foreign Soil (Acceptance)

[blue]

It was eerie, how the bare branches of the trees curled like fingers and groped at the wolf as she tread upon foreign soil; almost as if they knew she didn't belong. The breeze was strong and chilling to the marrow, and struck right beneath her bluish-gray overcoat and pricked the flesh numb. Flurries of crimson, orange, gold, and dead brown leaves swirled about her black legs with each freezing gust and crunched beneath her paws as she hastened forward into the infamous Sallin territory.

Quite brazen of her, really, to think of approaching these notorious wolves, especially with their rather "illustrious" background. Alas, she really had no choice in the matter anymore... Meals were few and far in between, and her naturally muscular frame had become gaunt and bony, and more than once she had been forced to scavange decaying carcasses like some lowly dog. Perhaps at least within the ranks of a pack she wouldn't have to go hungry each night.

As for the pack being rumoured as 'evil', that notion didn't worry Blue too much. A pack was only as evil as its leader, and surely the fabled Nightshade couldn't be THAT evil. ...Right?

The she-wolf came to a sudden halt as the scents of the Sallin wolves became thicker; it only made sense to stop and lay low for the time being lest she be accosted for going in too deep. Yes, that idea was a sensible one. Nose to the air, Blue stood erect and rigid, all senses keen towards any sudden, slight movement or sound, prepared for any impromptu ambush from these "villainous"... villains.

(Sorry this is really bad, I'm blank right now... I promise my next post will be larger.)

[Nightshade]

The dark leaves fell to the hard earth without a sound, though they hesitated at first without the wind to touch the barren soil. They knew, as all creatures here did, that this land was dangerous. It was better to keep yourself hidden than to draw unnecessary attention. It was the undertone of this place...like the susurration of the blood beating through your body. It was the unwritten law that governed all who dwelled in Sallin or passed through its air. Hunt or become the Hunted. Kill or be Killed.

Nightshade lifted her shadowed eyes to the sky; already veiled with early evening cloud. It would not be long before darkness took hold again...her time was coming. There was a stillness about this time that would set most into an uneasy state, but it only fuelled the alpha's senses. At last a breeze came, giving the leaves some brief chance at escape. It ran its cool fingers through the she-wolf's fur and sent a chill down her spine, though it was created by neither cold nor fear. It was the feeling of anticipation.

The alpha had not been hunting since the previous sun, and for a wolf of her standing this was rare. Unlike the more social packs, Sallin did not go on pack hunts. The only way this would happen would be when winter came and the stocks were low, and greater game was needed, or if the alphas had a young litter to support. The latter though, Nightshade was certain, would not happen again. Even pack gatherings were rare...times of war would change all that.

But as the gust continued, it blew with it a new scent; one that the she-wolf had not expected. There had been a flood of intruders in Sallin of late...surely this was not another. But it was, she knew that clearly. With an intaken grunt, the alpha turned course and began to pad deeper into the forest, until the shadows had closed in around her, and the sky was obscured save for the slithers of ethereal light that broke from the canopy. If this wolf sought a rank in her pack, they'd have to place their paws wisely.

At last, through the thin and withered branches came the silhouette of another wolf. She was thinner than she should have been, even though it was clear that once she had been caressed with muscle just as the alpha herself. Her pelt was a mix of shades of blue, mingled with blue-grey. It was pretty, no doubt, but that didn't do anything in this place. "It will be dark soon...sure you aren't lost?" The frozen but un-patronising tone bore through the early stillness, and Nightshade half-emerged from the darkness. There was something that underlay her voice...even though it was not clear exactly what. Something about it was tainted...haunted.

[blue]

Suffice to say, Blue was totally unprepared for the alphess's sudden, quick appearance. Night was coming on fast, shrouding the silentious forest with wraith-like shadows that coalesced with the naked branches and leaf-carpeted ground, so not only were her footsteps muted, but she seemed to materialize right out of thin air! From that moment on the wolfess knew that this exalted leader was definitely not a force to be reckoned with.

She spun at the voice, violet-flecked eyes flying wide. She instinctively took a step backward from this frightening tyrant who gave off such authority, such power, her head lowering and indigo ears that matched the darkening horizon flattening to the sides of her head in wise submission. Aye, it was wise to do so; it was clear that this character expected, no, demanded the utmost attention and respect, which she would gladly give right now.

"N...No, My Lady! Not lost, merely looking for you," she ducked low in a clumsy sort of bow, "I seem to have succeeded. Please, consider myself for a place in your ranks. I have much to offer, many talents which you can use to your advantage, especially in these times of war," she hesitated, fumbling for her next words, "I-I am strong, though I may not look it right now, and I can hunt adequately. If Your Eminence would be so accommodating, I can also be of help in battle strategies; I know of techniques that could be of assistance against Synl." She broke off abruptly, pausing for breath.

'Oh God, I rambled. Why did I ramble! I told myself a million times I wouldn't ramble! Short, straight-to-the-point answers, that's what she probably wants. Ah, if she's merciful, perhaps she'll let me go free unscathed...' She cursed inwardly squeezing both eyes shut, awaiting her probable fate.

Another bone-chilling gust sprang up, making what few leaves that remained on the trees rattle and scream, bending the gnarled branches as they creaked and groaned. The dead leaves in front of her black paws lifted from their place in the colorful carpet, one smacking her right in the schnoz and scraping up her gray snout, clinging to her forehead with dry, brittle fingers.

A yelp exploded from Blue at this unexpected encounter as she reared up on long hind legs, heaving her head violently to either side until the demon was finally detached and sent spiraling back to the ground where it lay, quite harmless.

Her breaths pulled in ragged gasps as she slowly recovered from the attack, the lifted hackles on her comely fur finally quieting back down. This all said and done, the she-wolf peeked back at the forbidding figure of Nightshade, ducking her head in swift apology.

"Heh, leaf."

[Nightshade]

((Whoa! Haven't posted like that in a long, long time! Sorry about that - I got a little carried away. ^_^))


Nightshade detached herself fully from the shadows, her lithe figure forming slowly to make a half-complete image in the darkness. As soon as this happened, the female before her began to explain in good detail exactly what she wanted, and for just a second it shook the alpha off course. Though no sign could be seen on the outside, Nightshade's thoughts caught up quickly. This one's nervous, she reviewed callously. Intruders who wished to enter Sallin usually either could hardly speak, or ranted on shakily like this. Neither was very pleasing to the alpha. ...she should be, too.

The wind picked up again, the loud creaks and moans of the forest sending a chill of anticipation through Nightshade's spine. It was as though a great beast had risen from the depths of the underworld to drag the life away from those dwelling above, its ravenous laughter reverberating through the treacherous forests as a warning cry. How Nightshade wished it could be so.

Abruptly, the alpha's thoughts were shattered. The skittish she-wolf had just... No. She wouldn't be so stupid as to... It was just another trick of the wind. But Nightshade was sure she had heard correctly - her ears never missed a word. Especially not when it triggered something in her mind so hated - so insufferable that it almost made her reel every time it was so much as uttered under breath. There was no way on earth that someone would have dared...

But Nightshade knew then that she had not been mistaken. 'What did you say...?' She was so consumed in that instant that she did not even notice the other wolf's reaction to the leaf. She was being blinded by hatred...it ran like hot blood across her eyes. Unknowingly, Blue had run across one of the few words that could shake Nightshade in such a way. Her life hung in the balance of these next actions. 'That word is forbidden in my presence unless I speak it first.' She whirled on the other she-wolf, her gaze blinded by the insane loathing that came with the word...that unspeakable word...Synl.

A low, terrible snarl grew in Nightshade's throat, silencing the crackling leaves. She was hunched over, her head down - the strands of deep brown hair covering her eyes. Her hackles were raised, the fur that ran along them bristling as though ice had attacked itself to her form and refused to let go. She was shaking, her limbs quivering violently as her world began to spin. What was happening to her...? This was not the anger that she had known before...this was a driving force much stronger - much more primitive. It was as though the alpha had been possessed by something undead, which writhed in her mind and clawed through her skin.

Nightshade's eyes shot up, a few remaining hairs still obscuring her gaze somewhat. The growl suddenly subsided, and it was with...relief...that she felt that horrid presence fade. The cool wind whispered in her ears and lifted the fur from her eyes, its voice strangely comforting in the darkness. But, what in hell had just happened? It hadn't been a figure of her imagination, that was for certain. Could it be that...?

She suddenly remembered that she had company, and slowly she straightened up. For a moment she was the unsure, insecure wolf she had been years ago - a yearling who had not yet crossed that invisible line that could never be uncrossed. And then, as the gust came, it was carried away. Nightshade remained: cold and hollow and broken - a demon in her own right. Now was not the time to worry over such, little things.

'What is your name?' There was only the slightest taint of inner-torture, before the poisoning touch consumed Nightshade's voice fully. 'Seen as you have so much else to say.'