Stranger in a Strange Land (OTA)

'And he fancies himself a Knight' Long had he traveled from the place that he had called home. But which was home was more like the question. He had found little solace in Hamara where wolves like Sephiroth had lurked but it was all dust in the wind now. Hamara was gone and he was once more a wandering fellow just looking for a place in the world. Of his old pack mates he had seen no sign but knew that for the most part they had escaped the ravaging hands of mother nature. He had made a sport of traveling the lone lands engaging those who he crossed and avoiding those whose purpose were more sinister in nature. There were all sorts travelers here and he found that he enjoyed meeting them but his heart yearned for the love of a pack, the security of a den to bed down in. And speaking of dens, what lovely little oasis is this? He spied a copse of trees that flared up like an irregular patch in the desert wasteland. There were many like these but always closer to the borders of packs, the borders of civilization. His eyes lingered briefly on the horizon before letting out a long sigh. Soon His heart whispered to him, soon he would find someplace to call home. Limber legs carried him to the trees, trees usually attracted game. Game, even small game was welcome in a place such as this. As he approached his nostrils flared up. It seemed that another was already here, didn't surprise him much. He wasn't the only one out here after all. He entered into the..well...forest would not quite be the word because who heard of forests in a desert...but into the swathe of trees instantly alert. Ears flicked trying to pinpoint where the other wolf was. He didn't enjoy games of hide and seek and was a more up front type of guy. He paused, scanning the foliage and then emitted a low noise from his throat. Not quite a bark, not quite a howl. It was an invitation, a challenge, a greeting all in one. The wind rustled his coat and he rolled his shoulders appreciating the cool winds after a day in the glaring sun.

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'And he fancies himself a Knight' What he saw he didn't quite expect. A youth crept from the bushes, clearly on edge and more than a little weary. He had reveled himself readily enough though...eyes flicked over his form sizing him up, taking in his state. This was not a kind land, especially to the young and inexperienced. Wondering how long he had been out here he immediately took a step sideways but not much further towards him. The keen and inborn eye that all wolves had Leon read every line in body language as if the other was screaming it at him. He was scared and more than willing to scuttle away into the night if Leon chose to chase him off. Pity immediately bloomed in his chest and he felt some of his stronger personal characteristics tugging on his heart. "You can't save everyone, Leon." A soft feminine voice The memory shifted over his eyes for the briefest of breaths and was gone in an instant. His head tilted as he continued the appraisal of the youth. Finally a soft smile turned the corners of his mouth. He relaxed on his own haunches in a direct and firm manner, but less threatening as well. "Tell me child, are you alone? I mean you no harm. My name Leon, Leon De Avitros to say it true." His smile did not waver and his tone was pleasantly said through a lower set of vocals with very little resonance.

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'And he fancies himself a Knight' The youth's response brought a smile to his mug. It was true his name did sound really impressive but he tried not to use that to affect. So his name was Illias, he once knew an Illias where he had come from but that was miles and years ago. He inclined his head to him, eyes flicking to either side of him. He indicated his wasn't alone but Leon suspected that he was being a little...coy. There were no other scents on the wind except for the two of them. "Very well Illias, for the time being I have been traveling alone until this moment at least." He wondered if he was new to the land or some poor excuse of a family had abandoned him. He really wasn't old enough to wandering by himself. It was dangerous in places like this. Scorpions were't the only things you had to be afraid of. "What I really need to ask I guess, if you minding sharing this shelter with me for the night at least. It's cursed hot in that desert and the comfort of trees is far and few." He wondered just how skittish Illias would turn out to be,

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'And he fancies himself a Knight' Leon watched the young bru with his mouth pursed, he did have a valid point about traveling during the night. It was a good strategy especially if you wanted to remain unseen. He generally didn't travel during the peak hours of the day either choosing to find someplace to rest of nap. The following offer did take him off guard as he suspected that he was turned down and it would be the end of it. His head tilted to the side as he considered. It was true it had been some time since he had a decent meal. He had paused so long now it was it was slightly uncomfortable which he broke with a sudden and amused chuckle. "Well why not? I've heard precious little about Lacrimosa guess it's to time to expand my boundaries." He looked around a little unsure. "Did you want to set off immediately or wait until the moon rises higher?" The night ahead wouldn't bother him too much. He wasn't all that tired and he had taken a nap earlier in the day. he had been a rogue longer than this pup had been alive if he had to guess. Perhaps he could give him a few pointers if they were to part ways. It was a shame to be so young and alone.

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'And he fancies himself a Knight' Raising himself to his feet he shook his coat out, knowing that it would be full of sand again. "No problem we can leave now." He stepped after him walking along his side. Now that he was closer he looked over the male once more familiarizing himself with his new hunting partner however brief. He sniffed the ground sorting the scent and picked it up, him mind immediately bending around it, memorizing. Where Illias was the obvious junior of the pair he was unsure if he should take the lead but decided to not force it. It was something he had been tracking after all.

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Ooc: Did you want to Rp the hunt in this thread or take it directly over?

I started to lope off in the direction of the scent. Leon followed easily keeping pace. Dusk was fading and the sand was growing cool beneath my pads. After a minute or so a thought crossed my mind, whereas it was mere a nagging sensation over the previous days. How much do I really know about taking down large prey? I've never hunted something so large. I'm hungry and so I need to eat. Theres not much left to me but skin and bones. Leon ought to know how to approach this. Maybe I should let him take the lead. With a chuckle I slowed until Leon came even with me. As he passed I spoke up.

"I've never hunted large game before Leon. I'm rather desperate for food and this is the best potential source I've found for days. Would you mind leading this? I don't want to make a mistake and lose this oppertunity."

The second I finished speaking, I dropped back to Leon's right. While I wasnt completely behind him, my snout was even with his flank. I didn't realize my actions would convey such nervousness.

'And he fancies himself a Knight' Leon's stride shortened as Illias dropped back, his head tilted listening to the male speak. A soft smile played around his mouth at the bru's words. He nodded his head in understanding. "Yea, don't worry about it." He had instinctively flanked him and he mentally approval. At least there was no conflicting dominant personality types here. He immediately dropped his nose to the ground finding the scent. Illias had done well to track it so far, even if he was inexperienced now with the right learning he would do well hunting. Glancing back he said "It won't be far, there has been a mass migration of deer recently in the lands and I suspect that this one has split off from the rest." He lengthened his stride once more intent on prey now. There was nothing else in the world but the hunt. Time lapse here... The night had fully descended upon the two lupines as they ran in the moonlight, wind whipping around their lean forms. Sand had long ago clogged up Leon's coat but he had been traveling for awhile in this landscape to care much anymore. All he knew that the scent was getting stronger and his instincts were driving him forward with an almost feverish quality. It had been a long time for a decent meal like this for him as well. He mostly contented himself on small game like rabbits and voles. Slowing his pace he stood beside Illias. "We are within a mile of it...I smell the water of the lake. Chances are there may be other wolves there. If there are I would prefer not to engage in any hostilities. And let us pray to Fenrir that we find the stag first." He paused waiting for his response, his muscles seemed to be straining against his will urging him forward to the feast. It would be difficult to ambush the stag in the open but they could drive it into the water and tire it out if they needed to. Ooc: After your response would you like me to post over in the Lacrimosa thread?

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