Skadi

Female | 5 | Pack Two | Scent Hound | Mentions: Torah.

Skadi was quick to catch herself from dozing off... again. She made a slight jerk to keep herself awake. The last time she had fallen asleep out on patrol, she had gotten into a nasty situation with a few nomads. You'd think she'd learn by now that she shouldn't sleep on the job. Her back right double dewclaws are still trying to grow back the part of her claw that was ripped in half from her near escape the last encounter she had. Of course, the dewclaws were sore for a few days... but Skadi learned to ignore it over time. Just how she learned to ignore most of the heat. Her head tilted to a 90° angle as she attempted to get the small patch of sun that managed to slip its way through the oak's leaves out of her eye. She eventually gave up, allowing the small patches of sun to lighten sections of the upper half of her coat. Luckily, the bottom half was being cascaded by the trailer's shade.

Skadi perked her ears, hearing distant, yet clear steps near her. Her muzzle puffed outward, her lips slightly pursed as she prepared for some pack member to interrupt her time basking in the shade alone. That was until the scent caught up to her. It was foreign, and yet familiar. She had smelt this same dog for the past few days, but he wasn't a part of her pack. Her ears strained forward as the small clatter of claws became a louder clanking noise. She saw the shadow of the dog first; before his dark being came forward from around the corner. Just at the same time, smooth words left his maws. "Hey sweetheart," Skadi rose her brows, unamused at this nomad's consistent determination to stalk her. "Hey stranger," Her tone copied his, but it held a sharper look than his seemingly gentle-charming one. "I was wondering when you'd come out," Skadi rose to her front paws, the noise of her making a half-hearted attempt to sit up straight echoed throughout the metal box. Right off the bat, Skadi could tell this male was bold, ambitious, or determined. Perhaps all of them. Only those who think they can get away with it would approach a member of a pack. Especially in such a claustrophobic spot. Fortunately, Skadi wasn't the one to immediately jump to over-aggressive or defensive manners whenever a foreign dog approached her. I guess experience takes its toll on a dog. After being a scent-hound in a nomadic pack, one encounters far too many nomads to not become bored with their "unique" personalities. Honestly, they all blended together. Some were over-the-top aggressive, while others attempted at cooly wooing her. Very few just couldn't care less, and those few were the ones that Skadi remembered. Although, none of them ever stalked her around like an obsessed pup. So, curiosity began to emerge when it came to this male.

"You've been stalking me for a while now, I thought you were just a bit shy." Skadi's tone was a light mocking one but wasn't testing. The last thing she wanted to do was run back to the pack with this male tailing her. Skadi casually lowered her head to better reach his. She wanted to get a better... idea of who he was. Her nose twitched slightly at the sudden overwhelming smell that came to her sensitive nose, but she stayed in place. She raised her haunches as she lifted herself from a sitting position. Her back arched and she buckled her front legs, preparing to jump out of the metal trailer. She smoothly split the air, her front paws touching the ground first before her back legs made their arrival with the hot cement. She had landed in a way that she was perpendicular to the male. Her ribs were facing his jaws, prepared to either tuck tail and run, or swivel around and protect herself from a sudden attack. It was such a settle movement, it could go unnoticed. She had positioned herself to be blocking the male off from an exit, his only way to go would be to either side or into the trailer if he wanted to make a speedy escape, either way, it'd be a narrow passage to be in.

Skadi guessed, if he was truly on edge, he'd would display some defensive manner subconsciously, to let her know how to act around him. Even though he played things nonchalant, she still wanted to be sure of at least some things. She sure as hell expected he was holding back some differing emotions, even if he was a professional at hiding them. "What gave you the idea to approach me?" Skadi questioned, her tone wasn't as soft as before, but her posture was far more relaxed. "You must know by now that my patrols don't last long," She hinted as his stalking, in which, she didn't mind that much. At first, it made her on edge, knowing someone was watching her. Now, she had grown quite used to it. Skadi kept her eyes on the dark male, specifically keeping her gaze directly on his own pair of eyes. She wouldn't show any specific emotions around a stranger, but, at times she couldn't help it. She had to admit, he was quite handsome looking; tall, dark, charming... Skadi eyed the growing shadows, more so noticing the sudden drop in heat as the sun slightly dipped behind the large, city buildings.

She licked her maw, a habit she had made whenever she began to get anxious. By now she should've been back at the pack with something new. Something to nourish them on their constant journey around California. She supposed it was Gunner's job to mainly hunt, but she also played a part in tracking and finding good enough prey, or catching the distant scent of a pet shop that could bear kibble. Stop getting side-tracked. Skadi noted to herself, forcing her eyes to focus back onto the dark male. She supposed he was only here to start trouble, but she couldn't help but want to socialize with someone other than her packmates. "Does my shadow have a title, or shall you remain unnamed?" Skadi, this time edging on a flirtatious tone, spoke up once more. She remained monotone, despite the slight anticipation that seemed to always take place in her voice. The wind had died down into almost nothing, so it was quite a silent place now. All that she could hear were distant scutters and the slight shuffle that the male made whenever he moved a muscle. His fur didn't do him justice when it came to being quiet.

Torah

Male||5 years||Nomad||Mentions:Skadi, Ind-Packs

As the fury that is the sun began to gradually settle, he’d almost sigh with relief, the stretching shadows of surrounding buildings engulfing patches of fragrant blossoms that would strike anyone into a cordial sense. He’d shake out his dense coat, the audible sound soon to be drowned out by a voice; carrying out a response that stroked up an expression other than his blank slate. “Wondering when you’d come out?” He mentally uttered to himself, averting his gaze briefly with a slight slip of a displeased look. It seemed as if she was more alert than he thought, her title suits her. With a gaping yawn, Torah’s ears would perk almost naturally, listening to her shifting movements which the interior gave away in a soft echo. He didn’t quite know what stance she was currently in but hopefully it was not one which would involve running away.

Despite various words caressing the tip of his tongue, he’d remain silent, uncertain on if he even should speak. What was he supposed to say to that? Admit that his stealth needs a bit of a touch up? Now that isn’t very charming is it. Lowering himself in a sitting position, the male would examine the vicinity for a moment, displaying a rather vigilant look which would later focus back onto the hidden female and the space her next words reverberated off of. When she mentioned the word “Stalk” he’d scoff to himself, her bluntness struggling to elicit anything further. He was quite good at keeping his composure. “So you’re not as clueless as you seem. Quite an appealing quality hm?” He spoke fluently, letting the words fall from his mouth like water from a cup. He had rehearsed this many times..albeit with other females, but still, adequate training that always has him prepared.

Watching observantly as she curiously peered down at him, Torah would fixate a small, confident smirk on his slender snout, lifting to his paws as she prepared herself to leap to solid ground. She did, gracefully so. With swift eyes, he’d sweep his vision over her frame, noticing her sheathed muscles beneath her thin, decorated pelt. Long legs, pricked ears, and striking blue eyes he barely caught a glimpse of until now. He’d relax his limbs so as to not seem so precarious and would gently tilt his head to the side, veiled thoughts and emotions swimming through his head. But finally, the question he oh-so adores reached his perked, swiveling ears, casting a sudden look of laze and slight annoyance which engulfed his former smirk.

After her last little comment, Torah would reply, matching his intense, steady gaze with her own, briefly calculating the correct response. “Before you accuse me of being a brute with vile intentions-.. You were simply too enticing to ignore. I’ve evaded the rest of your pack for long enough and just decided that it was time to introduce myself.” His tone was husky and his face blank, though he revealed a small flirtatious smirk just to help drive his case forward. As the welcomed breeze began to dwindle and the surrounding space no longer ruptured with wild calls, he’d chuff softly, lowering his rump to the small patch of gravel beneath him with ease.

Inwardly he had rolled his eyes after his sickening honey like words, though he kept his expression constructed, keeping it from betraying his inner thoughts. So far, she seemed like a hard nut to crack, but really, he’s cracked tougher. She seemed a bit skeptical of him, and alot less willing than others he’s been with. Nothing he didn’t really like. He proceeded to stand once more and pad a small distance away to her right, as if preparing for his exit, yet he kept his amber gaze on hers with ease, his previous, gentle brush against her haunch as he passed done in expectation of her reaction. Would she turn skittish and uncertain? Would she respond aggressively? Or would she put on a honeyed smile?

Honestly, he wouldn’t be dependent on the last option, but with her next flavorful words, his mental conclusion he had briefly conjured up would begin to deflate. He picked up on her interesting tone, and not very long after she finished, he’d emit a low rumble of a wry chuckle, irritated but at the same time mildly amused by her choice of words. All of her comments so far really, it was pent up, annoyed laughter that simultaneously voiced his enjoyment of the encounter. “My name’s Ray.” He finished with a curt tone, his amber gaze momentarily lighting up along with his returned smirk. Now, this expression was natural. Not feigned or some pulled down mask. His normally monotone looks had livened up with the same feelings as his previous chuckle. She was annoying yet intriguing.

“I’ll have to ask for yours some other time. You may trust that I will be back later to retrieve it.” He could just tell that he would not be able to coerce this female to hunt a meal for him, not today. He’d return later on, perhaps tomorrow night when her pack usually settles themselves. He didn’t bother to bid her some swift goodbye along with the location of their next meetup, for he could already tell she’d be the last to listen. So he’d find the perfect moment himself, just like today. He'd study her for a moment before speaking once more. “Stay pretty and sweet for me.” His final words slipped from his tongue so easily as if he’d said it one hundred times already. Well he did. It was what he’d always say when he’d depart on the first day, it was his saying.

With that, Torah would lope on from his current stance, passing the large trailer by as he’d later vanish in the cascading darkness with swiveling, alert ears, knowing she was smart enough not to follow, for he could sense his time was up. Quite the exit.

Skadi

Female | 5 | Pack Two | Scent Hound | Mentions: Torah [dir] Aesthinn, Tyrion, Ai [ind].

Skadi's wintery eyes studied the dark structure once more. He almost looked a bit defeated that Skadi had noticed his endeavors. Despite looking like such a fluent and charming male, he was lacking in wit so far. Taking note of such things, Skadi countered his silence with her own, until he spoke once more. "So you’re not as clueless as you seem. Quite an appealing quality hm?" She knew his words weren't meant for some kind of flirtation, but this wasn't one that Skadi had taken too kindly. I had expected more of a quote from a playboy nomad like you. Skadi, for the first time in a while, managed to hold her tongue. Instead, she released less of a venomous comment back. "Is it appealing or simply more of a challenge?" Skadi licked her chops nonchalantly, still tasting the irony blood from her meal. She had dealt with her share of nomads, but by the time she usually mentioned heading back to the pack from her patrol, they were always quick to leave. This one seemed to stick around for a bit longer, though.

He took a visible distaste to her slight accusation of him, but he only proved her main idea with his reply. Although not many dogs these days were as... flirtatious as this specific one, Skadi knew how to handle persistence. Was she a professional? Far from it. But, a little kickstart of annoyance ought to get him off her tail. "Ah yes, approach the vulnerable, slumbering female while she's secluded and alone. No vile intentions whatsoever," Skadi, this time, refused to honey her words. She displayed an obvious tone, one that debuted the male's previous statement; and instead countered it with a slight dominance that Skadi always portrayed among her packmates. She rose her brows, sarcasm dripping from every corner of her words as her ears erected toward the male, preparing for his next move.

This time, he took a physical approach. Bold of him. A slight fire rumbled in Skadi, as she knew he was purely doing this to see what he could get out of her. Yet, her expression remained the same; unamused. In fact, if it wasn't for being put in her place constantly by her pack higher-ups, she would've nipped his haunches right then and there. A simple indicator to not intrude on her personal space. Of course, nomads never seemed to realize that personal space was a thing. Her other, more resigned part of her wanted to flee. She wasn't a gunner, a deputy, or a leader figure. She was someone who found trails and let the others take the kill. Although being a muscle-ridden dog with the advantage of height, Skadi had a long way to go before she even started seeing herself as a fighter. Anything that drove her to be uncertain or uncomfortable, she quickly deserted. Over time, she learned to control her fight-or-flight reactions, and instead think about her move.

Overall, her mood was as it's always been; monotone, with a slight spice of sarcasm to garnish her mood. "My name's Ray," His words allowed her to regain consciousness instead of staring blankly into his eyes. For a moment there, she was battling her indecisiveness, now, her attention was entirely back on the dark figure. His inky coat was colored with the pastel shades of the sun readying itself to set, with the mix of dark, cascading shadows that dulled the luminescence. Her eyes stopped studying his body language when he mentioned coming back again. Of course, her futile efforts of scaring him off with her sheer personality failed. She should've expected him to put up more of a fight. Apparently, she was pretty clueless when it came to that. "I wouldn't miss it for the world," Skadi, once more, allowed an obviously fake honeyed tone to take over. Perhaps this little extra bit discouraged him from advancing, but she doubted it. A small part of her didn't really mind his interaction, but next time, if there is a next time, she'll make it clear as day how she takes things.

"Stay pretty and sweet for me," The comment, much like all of his other ones, stirred a mix of emotions as he broke off into a light canter away from her. Sweet was far from what Skadi would show him. Pretty? Well, pretty was just feeding her ego. And boy, he seemed like the kind to fluctuate one's ego until it burst. Skadi swiveled from the opposite direction he was heading; toward the pack. Her stomach grumbled, irritated that it only got such small amounts of nutrients so far. As she broke off into a lazy trot toward the pack centre, she couldn't help but continue to think about 'Ray'. He seems charming... Skadi would slow herself into a walk as she lumbered back up the broken highway. He also seems like a pain in the ass. Contemplating whether or not she'd enjoy this next 'visit', the lithe dame found herself already nearing familiar forms. Her head dropped lazily before she silently walked past the deputy, Aesthinn, and Ai. She couldn't help but swivel her ears toward them. Even though their backs were pointing to her, she could easily eavesdrop on their conversation. "What are we going to do Aesthinn? Do you ever wonder if we’ll ever find a place to call home? Do you ever think we’ll finally settle down and have a family of our own one day..?" Skadi dismissed her gaze away from them. Her eyes fixated on the ground instead as she thought about Tyrions questions. Being a nomadic pack was hard on everyone. Especially the higher-ups. Nothing was ever certain.

She wanted to input advice on some shelter she had found earlier, but she refrained from doing so. She could only bet that she had at least a little bit of Ray's scent with her, and addressing attention toward her would only provoke questions. While she knew a good way of snaking out of questions like that, she simply wanted to flop over and rest her legs without any interaction. She managed to spot a comfy-looking vehicle with a broken window empty of any shards. It didn't take long for her to leap inside the small opening and find herself a warm, yet comfortable spot on the worn-down leather of the driver's seat. It was a bit of a tight fit, but by putting her chin on the door, to where her snout was pointing outside the broken window, she managed to find an oddly comfortable position. Her tail thumped lightly on the passenger seat as she released a stressful yawn to the still air outside of the car. Finally, her ears relaxed. She didn't have to fight to be alert anymore... Her vision was blurry as she unknowingly managed to slip off into a capturing slumber. One that she knew would be far too shortlived.