Encounters and Inquiries {llwyd + shade}

[>> padfoot]

llwyd.

I'd thought about it all, yet no conclusion came to me. . .

Coldness crept from the stone floor to his fur, weaving its way through the hues until it reached his skin. Cold bared its tiny fangs and unsheathed its tiny claws, scraping at Llwyd's scarred flesh. His eyelids flickered open, and with a moan, he pulled his limbs closer together. The wind whistled a hight-pitched tune outside, whipping the stone walls. The old wolf muttered angrily under his breath and tossed in his spot, trying to find a comfortable position to nap in. But no, the sleep wouldn't come. Curling into a ball with his back to the cave's entrance, Llwyd gazed sadly at the dark wall, his amber orbs half-closed with exhaustion. He couldn't get back to sleep anymore, for at least this night. What with the wind and the cold- it was a great thing for nightmares to feed on. The last thing Llwyd needed was Fear walking in his dreams.

Aren't these volcanoes? the Mexican wolf thought bitterly, rousing to his paws and ruffling his fur. Yet, he supposed he should have been grateful for the dormant volcanoes; he'd rather spend a night's worth of cold then be chased by molten lava. He took a few tentative steps toward the cave entrance, his cracked paws stinging on the icy floor. Since he wasn't falling asleep anytime soon, he would occupy himself by doing something else. Exploring the Ring Of Sleeping Volcanoes sounded like a fine idea.

The dark sky outside was dotted with gray clouds, depriving Llwyd of a view of the stars. He didn't know if he should feel uneasy about that; he never liked to be followed by the clouds' thundering gaze, yet the open sky made him feel lost. Padding out of the cave, Llwyd was met by a gale at full-power, that made him sneeze. It carried the smell of night. Bounding down a rocky slope that led away from his den, Llwyd arrived at a clearing, if you could call it that. The terrain wasn't as rocky and pointed stones were nowhere in sight. The Mexican wolf slumped down next to a pale, decaying tree stump, enjoying the beat of the wind at his gray and cream fur.

"So we're alone again, Night," he murmerred quietly to himself, leaning slightly on the tree stump. Hunger gnawed at his stomach, but he didn't bother- the chances of finding anything to feed on here were as likely as the chances that he would sprout wings. His amber orbs smarted against the wind as he looked up to the cloudy sky, shaking his shaggy head. There was nothing up in the stars. They were hollow lights, filled of nothing but light itself and wonder...

Smiling sadly to himself, Llwyd lowered his gaze, looking vaugely at the ground in front of him instead.

. . . so many things to ask, yet no one has the answer

[jadeeluff!]

» I've felt my blood run cold,
My teeth have grown blunt on muscle and bone.

Quiet patrols were becoming steadily more common in Shade's book. Head low, steps brisk and stringent, her eyes seemed to glow malevolently in the pale light of the crescent moon. Her steady breath began a steady beat along with her snapping tendons and her heart. It was easy, so easy, to lose yourself in their rhythm. They were a terrine of noise that echoed in your ears, yet only you could hear them. It completely seized her mind and made her feel numb. It was all a dull repetitive motion, really. Since her claim over the lands, nothing interesting had happened.

Maybe, just for one night, she could call off her patrol and sleep. Lose herself in the warmth that languishing brought. A sharp gale tugged at her fur, winding around her body and biting at the delicate skin under her pelt. She shivered slightly, trying to focus her mind on the warmth that her pelt begeted rather than the chill the north wind blew. She looked up wearily, taking in the bank of clouds that covered the stars. Surely that must be a sign, no? Shaking her head, cursing herself for deterring the delicate balance of her muscles.

She slowed and halted, her head lolling around to take in that what was hers. A clearing was in sight, free from the usual rocky stumps that jutted out from the earth at all angles. Her eyes sharpened as her ears flickered ceaselessly. A quiet murmur scratched at her ears. Jaw tightening, her whole countenance stiffened. The fur along her spine stood erect as her tail rose. A low growl rumbled from her throat as she sidestepped away to find cover in the shadows. Adrenaline roared through her veins and she took silent pawsteps toward the clearing.

She was surprised when she looked down. The snarl that curled around her lips soon subsided as she took in the frail, well to her, figure that rested at a decayed tree stump. Her face fell flat, and with a reluctant curiosity, the padded down to circle the wolf. Her tenement never relaxing, a single brow arched as a growl rumbled from her chest.

"Up." She barked coldly, trying to issue at least some form of commandment.

[>> padfoot]

llwyd.

No one reacted...

Movement. And it wasn't the rustle of a rabbit or the landing of a bird. Llwyd's head snapped up to meet another wolf.

This wolf, obviously female from her scent, moved with such grace that she made no sound at all. Her fur glimmered in the moonlight, a tender gray, and the flat expression on her dark features told him that she wasn't pleased. Like a shadow, she circled around him, making Llwyd grow tense under his bewilderment. "Up." She ordered with the air of an Alpha, and Llwyd didn't dare refuse. Frowning slightly, he rose to his paws, looking the she-wolf right in the eye. The dark shadows around his amber orbs seemed to lessen, and his brows arched and joined together. The Alpha was pretty, he could admit, but she didn't seem like she would accept any far-fetched excuse. Grinning in a poilte way, Llwyd squared his shoulders, showing that he was confident. "Hello, ma'am," The wolf said breezily, dipping his head in a bow. "Quite a splendid night, hm? Well- I don't think you want to hear me ramble. Is there anything you require, ma'am?" he said, cocking his head a bit. And then it clicked in his mind - although he knew it since he lay eyes on her - this was her territory. He wasn't exactly using it, apart from the den- he hadn't eaten anything since he reached the North, and the thought made Llwyd's stomach growl.

But he wasn't going to sucumb to her. He knew that, as he was on her territory, he was in a sketchy postion, but any wolf has the right to keep his pride and dignity; as long as it didn't go to his head, of course. So far, he didn't do anything wrong- he had presented himself in the most harmless way he could muster. Yet he always kept guard raised. Shuffling into a more comfortable position, Llwyd's smile faded; he did not know if he could trust those cold eyes and curled lip. He had a feeling that he would not escape without a scratch.

Behind him, the wind whistle its loudest yet, as if mocking Llwyd.

...and I'd thought I was insane.

[jadeeluff!]

» I've felt my blood run cold,
My teeth have grown blunt on muscle and bone.

Admittedly, Shade felt satisfied that the male had scrambled up so hastily to meet her command. Annoyance prickled at her skin as he enunciated politely and she soon tried to cut him off with a blunt growl. She took in his appearance quietly and with narrowed eyes, trying to label him as a threat. It was near impossible, but by his ragged fur and the scars that marred his eyes, she could tell he would be quite the fiend in a battle. Not that she had any intention of striking a feud with him, but to be on the safe side, she knew she would have to assert to him that she was the dominant one here.

"Indeed." She sniffed, looking down on him with a grunt as she continued,"Don't feed me that elk-dung. What I require-" She growled, drawing out the word in a dangerous manner as she allowed him to stand, "Is why you think you have the guts to be sleeping on my territory." Curling her lip, she circled him again, eyes glowing maddeningly in the pale moonlight. "You got a name, old man?" She ended her journey around his gaunt frame, smirking cruelly as she perceived his stomach growl. She stood over his crouching form, jaw tight and eyes cold. Leaning down, she whispered viciously in his ear.

"Is the old man hungry?" She grinned, straightening to leer over him again. "Answer my questions without trouble, and I'll see if you can pilch something from here to feed yourself. Gods know you need it." She raised an eyebrow delicately, taking in his lean frame with a critical eye. Lucky for him, unless he was joining her pack, Shade was in a good mood. If he was here just to make use of the conveniences, she had a right mind to give him a warning and let him leave unharmed.

[>> padfoot]

llwyd.

None of us is hiding under the cloak...

She had questioned him, rather rudly, why he had spent a night on her terriotory. Llwyd's mouth mashed into a hard line, but he didn't respond. What would be the point? She was throwing insults at him anyways. "You got a name, old man?" said the female, smirking cruelly. He could see the smirk even in the dim light; and he still refused to let her ruffle his fur. He reared his head up to full height- not in a superior way, but in a stern manner. He would have loved to retort- but he he knew, this could be just an asessment. You know, testing the waters. That still didn't prevent him from forgiving her. "As anyone can conclude, I do," Llwyd said coldly, his eyes hardening. "And you question me as to why I spent the night on your territory?" he smiled, but in a grim way. "I don't think you'd like to have a dead body on your territory, frightening away all the prey? Surely not. That is why I-" he glanced at her again, smiling genuenly now. "Ah, chose to dwell on your hospility for a while. I'm sure it didn't do much harm?" Llwyd said smoothly. "My name is Llwyd, and greetings to you, ma'am. It would be much more convinient if I could know yours as well."

But the feamle continued. "Is the old man hungry?" She grinned, straightening again after whispering in his ear. "Answer my questions without trouble, and I'll see if you can pilch something from here to feed yourself. Gods know you need it." Her voice was hostile, cynical, but Llwyd retorted with the same tone. He wasn't being pushed around. One thing was keeping your head low, but being walked over was a different story. "If you can see, I have four working paws. Although your offer is," he paused slightly, "...interesting, I can assure that I'm perfectly capable of feeding my own mouth. I believe you have already enough on your paws. I wouldn't relish having another to take care of." He sat down on the dusty ground, his gaze still level. The wind buffted his fur, as if eager for a fight. "I have seen that you like to shroud yourself in secrecy, and I prefer the same. I will respond to your inquiries, but I too have my own privacy. It would be polite to respect it." His orbs, you could describe them as two pools of flaming ice; so vivid but cold.

..We're just using it to hide from the outer world.

[jadeeluff!]

» I've felt my blood run cold,
My teeth have grown blunt on muscle and bone.

Shade's good mood slowly deteriorated as Llwyd spoke with increasingly polite sentences. It was infuriating, listening to him enunciate, yet not knowing if he truly meant it, or it was somehow his form of insult. Gritting her teeth, she finally growled a cold warning when he insinuated that she would catch his food. What did he think she was, a kind-hearted old mule who would care for every wolf but herself? That old man had another think coming.

"Close your mouth, Llwyd, or I'll do it for you," She growled, curling her lip and drawing out his name in a sarcastic manner, "You can call me Shade, and you'd better quit speaking to me in that infuriatingly polite manner. If you thought I would be the one catching your food for you, you've got it wrong, bud. I'm sure you can stretch those lazy old bones of yours to find yourself a decent meal," She feinted at his face, lunging at him with jaws agape before stopping short. Her maw clicked shut with an audible snap aside his eye before she drew back, once again grinning devilishly. "You'd better respond to my inquiries whether you like it or not, old man, or you'll find yourself without a tail bone." She warned him, sitting down again in the pretense of absolute opulence. She quite liked the new nickname she donned him. Somehow, it seemed to suit him. Of course, being more cynical than usual had surprised her. She wanted to assert her dominance over those intruding on her land. After all, most would assume that a male should have the rightful role as leader. She curled her lip, her face twisting into a disgusted sneer at the very thought. She would bow down to no male. She would fight if she had to, especially with this old twit.

She looked at him again with an expression of absolute seriousness. Of course, it was with no doubt that she was obviously chasing away a very potential pack member. Llwyd looked like, in his younger years more so, a very capable wolf. In fact, he was strong, probably quick-witted and adept. She wondered why he hadn't a pack of his own. It was surprising, really. She raised an eyebrow, thinking back on her previous words. She didn't want to start a fight. In that instance, it was probable that neither would come out unharmed. She knew she was a skilled fighter, but the old wolf had experience and knowledge on his side, which was much, much more than Shade could bargain for.

"Alright, I'll give you deal. I'll give you the Spanish inquisition, and you can do the same of me. But as you earlier stated; I too have my own privacy." She finished her speech with a rough mimic of his voice, although slightly higher in pitch and more feminine sounding. She grinned toothily, although her features were marred by a stern frown. "Just to, ah, get to know each other better, hmm..?"

[>> padfoot]

llwyd.

Trust your fate, trust your fate, they all say...

"Close your mouth, Llwyd, or I'll do it for you. You can call me Shade, and you'd better quit speaking to me in that infuriatingly polite manner. If you thought I would be the one catching your food for you, you've got it wrong, bud. I'm sure you can stretch those lazy old bones of yours to find yourself a decent meal," The wolf named Shade growled, but Llwyd didn't bother retorting. It didn't hurt him, so why waste breath? Even when she lunged at him, he didn't flinch; he might have taken a step back, but not cringing in the slightest. Shade seemed pleased of herself; iin the darkness he could see a grin flicker across her feature, which made him want to kick her. But he stood still, his three scars enforcing his serious and stern face. He wasn't very old, but Shade... She tried to act old, yet she seemed way too young. Llwyd squinted his eyes. Three years? Wow.

"You'd better respond to my inquiries whether you like it or not, old man, or you'll find yourself without a tail bone." The Alpha threatened, and it took much willpower to restrain a smile from appearing on Llwyd's face. Well, wasn't she confident? Overly confident, if he might add. It's not that he didn't doubt she would give him a beating; he would be surprised if he left here completely unharmed. All the same, her superior air made Llwyd inwardly chuckle. Yet, he folllowed along, as soon as she finished her speech. "I see you like to bargain, Shade. Very well," Llwyd nodded. "I'll see what I can do."

"I guess I'll give you a little of my background. I had three brothers. I never met my father. My mother's alive. And I prefer elk over rabbit." he finished his introduction with a small smile. "If you'd like to ask anything, please proceed."

And I do, because what else is there to trust?

[ooc- this is just so I don't have to go back to my previous posts. x) {[color.=.bda971][size.=6][ce.nter]llwyd.[/cent.er][/s.ize][/color][/size]

[jadeeluff!]

» I've felt my blood run cold,
My teeth have grown blunt on muscle and bone.

Shade listened carefully as Llywd spoke, her ear flicking occasionally. Her face was expressionless, although her jaw was tight and her eyes wary. She was beginning to regret striking a deal with the old wolf. She could probably have forced the answers she wanted out of him, whether he liked or not, for sure. But now she had to play along and answer any of his questions. Her subtle frown became more noticeable as her brow furrowed and her eyes grew cold. Sure, she could bend the truth, but only to a limit. Shade knew she was rather callous, but she was not a liar. She couldn't help the small smile that pulled at the corner of her lips as the hound across from her finished his little speech. He had quite the humor, didn't he? Composing herself with a clear of her throat, she glanced at him speculatively, as if he were an item to be bargained for.

"I couldn't help but notice the somewhat change of tense while you spoke," She began, flicking her tail to one side and raising an eyebrow."You had three brothers? Whatever happened to them?" She asked, feigning cruel innocence and tilting her head slightly. "Don't tell me they got tired of waiting up for the old man and left you for dead?" She finished sarcastically. Grinning malevolently, she rolled her eyes as if to dismiss her question. Her slightly bizarre countenance suddenly dropped as she mused over his recitation earnestly. She guess it could've been true, that Llwyd was injured somehow and his brothers left him. She pursed her lips, looking at him again through narrow eyes. Shade's tenement had relaxed ever so slightly in the period the two wolves had conversed. Dropping the subject of family issues, she drew in a breath, her lips forming a hard line as she contemplated over how to enunciate her next inquiry.

"How did you end up here? On Druid's Peak territory?" She asked him, ears alert as her back straightened. "I really should think up a punishment for that." She added as a hushed after note, annoyance crossing her features for a split-second before an amused aspect replaced them.

"And don't worry, you'll have your turn soon enough. Let's just hope you're patient, hm?"

{ ooc - Why do my posts sound so bad to me? D: I do have muse, lots of it, but I have no clue how to put it into words. Dx }