-Avis-
Mentions: Choenyi, Callidora, Yalina, etc

The grey figure ambled through the barren forest. Although it was around the middle of the day, the overcast sky blocked much of the sun from touching the grass and trees, casting long shadows across the cold ground. The forest was quiet, with only the occasional chirps from the birds or the scuffling from squirrels causing his ears to twitch instinctively. Truth was that the forest had been quiet for some time, and it came to no surprise that the loner had not crossed any company lately. He had been hearing news of a deadly sickness claiming lives, and he had even come across some empty camps in the last few weeks. The sickness had wiped out entire packs, according to the rumors. So perhaps it was a blessing in disguise that he was no pack wolf.

Avis had not been a pack wolf for years now. While he had grown up in one, he was no longer considered one. The male had left that life long ago, along with all the orders and power hungry wolves it consisted of. The canine was just a pup when he lived in a pack. And he was just a youngling when the group had combusted. A massive coup, a desperate grasp for power, a war, and bloodshed. And nothing was to show for it. The remaining survivors had slowly separated and dispersed, including Avis. His father had been one of the loyal ones to die in the battle. And his mother had been mortally wounded. Left with no one, the wolf had ventured out into the wilderness without a single glance back. Besides, he had nothing holding him back.

While his past was not the prettiest one, Avis seemed unaffected by it. The male was no sad moping mass of fur. Instead, he had hope. Hope for a better future and willingness to survive. Meeting him, no one would have thought he had an ugly past. And he liked it that way. So as he trotted through the cold forest with his tail up, a certain scent caught his nose. Blood. Death. Food?

Picking up the pace, he followed the distant smell. His paws flew across the ground as he took long, leaping strides. Once the source came into view, he could already feel his mouth water. Avis licked his chops, swaying his tail as he approached the half-eaten carcass of a moose. A few ravens had been picking at the leftovers, but with a snarl and a snap, the meal was his. "I don't mind if I do." He murmured.

While in the middle of eating his fill, the sounds of some sort of argument made him pause. With a little more investigation via his nose, Avis caught the scent of a couple of wolves. Interesting. Furrowing his brows, the canine rolled his shoulders as he chewed his last mouthful, swallowed, and followed the scent. His curiosity had been piqued. It wasn't often he ran into other wolves these days. Live ones, at least.

Once he came around the bend, he was still quite a distance away. The wolves were mere flecks in the distance. While it was nothing too special, a certain scent had made him stand there for just an extra moment. Something was familiar about it. But he couldn't quite place it. One thing he could tell from his observations was that they were arguing. And if he knew one thing, it was that full bellies would probably descalate the situation. Trotting up to the group with his head lowered in a sign of disinterest in competition or harm, the wolf called out when he was several steps away, "Look, I don't mean any harm... But maybe this whole argument can be sorted out over a snack? Just a little ways away is a carcass with some meat on it still. Thought I would offer... These are hard times."

The darker female strode forward, her steps light and hobbled at times. It was a leisurely stroll, one that didn't overly exert her. She was moving at a slow pace. In fact, so slow, that she was sure a turtle would overpass her. "Forgive me for holding you back," she would say as she walked, a soft smile gracing her features. "I haven't truly moved around in a while." She knew that she was slow. She hated even more apologizing for it.

Yalina stumbled slightly, her front paw slipping on a loose rock. Releasing a small grunt, she collected herself and brushed past it, tuttering to herself beneath her breath. A worried look glossed past her, one that instantly vanished the moment Acesco began to describe the different types of herbs. As he spoke, she listened, finding enjoyment in learning something new. Her eyes widened, a curious look plastered upon her face, as if a pup seeing the most fascinating thing for the first time. "Coneflowers.. Those are the pink ones, aren't they? The ones that grow in little bundles in fields or meadows?" Yalina eyed Acesco, feeling rather proud with herself over knowing something and inputting her own little opinion.

Her head had nodded twice at the mention of drinking water, knowing the sentence quite well and hearing it often from her sister. She was quiet for a moment before her eyes widened, mood increasing. "Oh, look! I don't suppose that there is rosemary, is it?" Increasing her pace slightly, she halted before the base of an oak. Next to it, a long plant grew. "See? It has pointy leaves of sorts." Staring at it, Yalina's smile increased.

It was, in fact, crabgrass.

A species of weed.

Bitter with her unsuccessful discovery, an annoyed look replaced her smile as she hobbled forward, continuing on the path alongside of Acesco. "It looked like rosemary," she muttered. Then again, Yalina had never seen it, so how would she know.

Lifting her head slightly, she would nod every time he asked if she was alright. Her response would be the same the entire time. That she was fine, and that they could continue. "I'll tell you when I need to rest." She figured it would be easier for him rather than having him constantly ask her. "I know I don't come off as strong, but I still have enough energy left to make it there and back." Whether those words were for Acesco or herself, it was unknown, but regardless, Yalina needed to hear it. It was a good reminder to herself to keep going and not let her sickness win.

"A drink sounds wonderful right now. I'm parched." She took a few steps before adding on, "I'm sure you'll find something." Bumping his shoulder with her own in a playful manner, it took a large amount of energy to do such a motion, nearly causing her to lose her balance. Teetering, Yalina composed herself and released a deep sigh before following down to the water. Lowering her head, she stared at her reflection for a moment, taking in her slightly sunken face before looking away. Her pink tongue lapped at the water, small ripples disrupting the clear surface as a minnow swam by quickly in the distance.

Stepping back, she lifted her head, eyes grazing over the surrounding area before taking a few steps back and lowering herself onto her haunches unsteadily. Hissing, Yalina's ears pinned against her cranium, her eyes squeezing shut as she felt a tremor of pain shoot up her spine. When it passed, she felt a wave of nausea hit her before it left the moment she took a few deep inhales. Yalina knew some ways to make herself feel better when it came to certain symptoms. A headache was best healed with sleep or sitting in darkness. Nausea passed her when she focused on something else and took inhales. Coughing eased when she took a sip of water or focused on her breathing. She had been sick for long enough that she understood how to ease her symptoms.

Taking a final inhale, the nausea finally passed, as did the pain in her body. Only then did she focused back onto Acesco when he spoke, ears flickering when he mentioned her sister, an unreadable expression appearing. "I don't.." Pausing, Yalina shook her head, turning to him. "I don't want Callidora to go through that." She took another pause, not entirely turning down his idea, but not entirely agreeing either. "My sister has always had.. trouble grasping this disease. I know she's suffocating, and I know she can seem irritable, but I do, in a sense, see where she's coming from. It can't be easy for her either, though I do wish she understood my side as well."

Callidora had always been the one looking after their sick family members. For some reason, she never caught it. Perhaps it was some immunity thing, but because of that, her sister was always the one there for others. That must have certainly been tiring as well. So could she truly judge? Yalina often felt claustrophobic in her sister's presence. She hated how she felt weak and how Callidora gazed at with worry, as if she couldn't do anything.. As if she were useless. And the moment Yalina tried to speak up, a wave of guilt often slapped her and forced her silent. It was a difficult situation for her. One she often felt she had little control over.

Adjusting her posture, Yalina scraped a tuft of moss in front of her. "I don't want to agitate her anymore, you know? She's gone through enough. What she needs is some time to herself where she can rest. Most preferably with someone who can distract her in a.. calmer sense." Did Acesco see what she was saying? Sure, she and Callidora had a rocky relationship, but it was still her sister. She wouldn't wish her anymore pain. "She has had a rough few nights alongside of me. I think, maybe, if she has more sleep or rest, she may be in a better mood. I mean, you saw her today. She actually let me go out for a change." Piping up, Yalina was always one to go for a plan that benefited both parties. She wished nothing but the best for most.

"I think I'll be able to get through to her more if she has proper rest." Convinced with her own plan, Yalina eyed Acesco before shifting. "If it doesn't work, we'll try yours. I just.. She needs to look out for herself for a moment." Managing to stand, this time with more ease, she motioned to him. "I'm going to rest beneath a tree. If I can be of any help, let me know." A pause. "Thank you for bringing me out here with you." She truly appreciated it, and she wanted him to know that before she walked off.

Twirling around thrice, she plopped down beneath the tree, her head resting upon her two front paws while her body remained upon some soft moss. An earthy aroma came from the moss, which was partially why she adored it. The remainder being because it was so soft and gentle to touch. Her eyes watched Acesco saunter off, a look of concentration on his features as he searched for herbs. While he looked, Yalina allowed herself to close her eyes for a brief moment, only for them to flutter open when approaching steps were sounded.

"What's this?" She asked him when he returned, head rising and eyes staring at a plant dangling from his jaws. "A coneflower! You found some!" Staring at it, she nodded her head to his suggestion and propped herself up. The pain had lessened, but an ache still remained. Regardless, she would go. She still felt fine enough, so why not.

"Let me come with you."

Nekti // Male // 6 years, 4 months // Mentions: Callidora, Choenyi, Avis, Peony, Yalina (ind.), Acesco (ind.), Ophir (ind.)

“He’s our one son left!”

“Anybody got an issue?”

“Our son? Ours? Oh, that is rich, coming from you!”

“Yeah, I got one. Who put you in charge?”

“What is he then, your son? What am I, exactly? Do you just keep me around for decoration?”

“Somebody needed to take the initiative, and apparently I have that.”

“A decoration?! You’d make as poor a decoration as you do a father.”

“Why don't you go ahead and tell me what deer look like again, just in case I forgot that, too.”

“The last thing we need is for you to rub off on anyone. Too much time with his wonderful mother and he'll wind up just like you - no friends and no future. Maybe he'll get lucky and-"

“Callidora. Darling. I appreciate that you are listening, but not all of us have been hunters before.”

“Shut up! Somebody’s coming! Act like we're having a normal conversation.”

The urge to sigh lodged itself in Nekti’s chest, a lingering pressure that he held back, clamping his greying muzzle shut. He waited patiently for the two wolves to stop bickering, letting his gaze sweep over the colorful landscape of the camp. He couldn’t see Ophir, but he hardly seemed concerned by the fact - he didn’t even bother lingering for a moment to wonder where his son had gone. Ophir was very often up to trouble, wherever he wasn’t supposed to be. Maybe Nekti had simply lost the stamina to look after him, but truth be told, he had never really been very involved in Ophir’s life. Udara was the one who took care of that, the “loving and involved” mother. For a wolf who had lost so many pups, who had struggled so long, Nekti hardly seemed to care that Ophir was his own, of his flesh and blood. The miraculous fact that Ophir was there because of Nekti himself didn’t seem to even occur to Nekti. He had never held a wolf close enough to call them true friends or family - he hadn’t been close with his own parents or siblings, never affectionate with Udara, but it seemed even more pronounced with Ophir. The one pause Nekti did take was again in the direction of Yalina and Acesco, but that too was quick and certainly not perceptible to those not interested in knowing what he was doing.

Nekti’s idea was fairly well-received, and Nekti finally turned his full attention back to the others to hear their feedback. As Choenyi tweaked the plan slightly, suggesting trying to run the herd off a cliff, Nekti narrowed his eyes slightly but made no sound except for a low “mmm.” Maybe Nekti didn’t take criticism - even as reasonable as this - as well lately, but he certainly wouldn’t have started an argument. That was one thing wolves could rely on - he never went out of his way to get into conflicts, and he never bickered out in the open like a squabbling pup. As soon as Choenyi asked who should take down the deer, Nekti said calmly, “I’ll take it down, you two flank it.” Now, this might have seemed like a rational decision for several reasons - Nekti was larger than the other two, had once been stronger, and males were built battle for battle than for speed. Years ago, this would have been his main role, something he was particularly good at. The only problem was whether or not he could tackle a large animal to the ground. With a big pack it wasn’t necessary for members like him to take on main roles like this during the hunt, but desperates times often call for desperate measures. Nekti’s expression was even, as though nothing in the world could be more natural then him taking on that role, but he looked Choenyi in the eye, maybe a challenge or maybe a way of seeking reinforcement.

Whatever might have happened, and whatever Choenyi did answer, Nekti was distracted almost immediately afterwards as he heard a scuffle break out somewhere not too far away. He turned to look, and realized that he had noticed neither Callidora walking away nor the scent or sound of a strange wolf nearby. His gaze immediately snapped to the rest of their little camp. Besides the wolves that he already knew were here, nobody seemed to have returned. He sprang into action, pounding towards the strange wolf who seemed to have attacked Callidora. How did you not smell that? How didn’t you hear it? The wind, Nekti figured. It must have been the wind - it was picking up, and the billowing gusts were damping his senses. It was much better now that he was closer. Nekti couldn’t hear what Callidora was saying from here, but he could only assume it was nothing good. How had she gotten that far before Nekti even noticed? Perhaps he’d been too wrapped up in his conversation. By the time he was close enough to help, the strange wolf had already backed off. Nekti bounded forward just in time to hear Callidora say “I have a whole group with me.” Nekti moved in behind her, hackles raised, glowering at the strange wolf imperiously with his head raised.

“Got any water, stranger?”

Nekti exhaled sharply, but he let Callidora do the talking for now. He checked behind him to see if Choenyi had followed, and saw that another strange wolf had appeared before her. Looking between Callidora and Choenyi, Nekti paused and then turned to go help Choenyi. Some might have thought this showed a preference towards Choenyi, but wolves who knew him well knew that trusting a wolf to take care of themselves was one of the highest honors he could bestow. It was a faith in character that he didn’t often show to Callidora. Nekti walked up next to Choenyi, and he heard the pastel grey wolf say, "Look, I don't mean any harm . . . But maybe this whole argument can be sorted out over a snack? Just a little ways away is a carcass with some meat on it still. Thought I would offer . . . These are hard times." Nekti did something he rarely did, and butted in before Choenyi had said anything. Perhaps he wouldn’t have if it had been any other wolf. “We can hunt for ourselves, thank you,” said Nekti quietly, studying the lone wolf with a dead serious expression. He didn’t elaborate, and let Choenyi go ahead and say whatever she wanted to the wolf. He looked up as he heard Callidora approaching, and moved around so that he was flanking the pale grey lone wolf.

As the brown wolf approached, that youthful smarm that got under Nekti’s skin became immediately apparent. “I’ll be part of your clan now. You guys need me anyway.” Perhaps if youth - and this wolf in particular - were aware of how myopically self-absorbed they were, they would never think themselves clever enough to humiliate themselves in front of total strangers. It was a weak character trait, and if Nekti couldn’t say all that with words, well, his look probably did the trick. Nekti moved closer to the grey male as the brown began to circle, moving in front of him to block his way. “A very ill-conceived trick, if any,” Nekti said in response to Callidora. “Bravado and insults are more than typical ways to overcompensate for fear, so the brown one seems no great danger - I’d watch him all the same. The grey one seems more innocent. All the more reason to be wary of him. But we shouldn’t let them out of our sight, either of them. If it happens that they’re part of a larger pack hoping to distract us . . .” Nekti paused, glancing out in the general direction of where the others were. “Well, it would only make sense to warn them.” Normally howling would suffice - a howl indicating danger would put the rest of the pack on the alert. But a howl might also send the other pack, if there were any, rushing towards them to catch them by surprise. “I think, if we needed to, one of us could go find Yalina and Acesco. They’re not far, we know which way they went, and two wolves and the rest of the pack could easily look after these two.” Nekti made no mention whatsoever of Ophir or going to find him. He looked at the two strange wolves, readjusting himself so that they were surrounded by the three who were there. If possible, it would be good to have Yalina and Acesco as backup. And Ophir - well, if Ophir somehow did show up, Nekti had no assurance he wouldn’t make things worse just to get some attention.