Great Plains (Main Den)

With a sigh Cinnamon flopped onto her belly in the grass. Despite the winter chill in the air this felt like a summer paradise.

I'm home

It didn't matter that she'd never seen this land in her life, that she was weeks of trecking from any place she'd ever know. This green land sang of the valley her mother had raised her in, of freedom and the hope of doing anything you wanted to try. She felt a smile spread across her face. Giving a delighted whoop of laughter she flipped on her back scrabbling and rolling in the grass.

Finally she climbed back upright, grinning sheepishly to Falco, aware she'd looked ridiculous rolling about like that. Catching his eye she spoke

"This looks like a nice enough place to call home, in my opinion."

Then she shook her head, the words sounded so formal. Of course that sent grass seeds all over Falco's coat. Cinnamon flinched slightly.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to do that."

Perfect was the first word that stumbled through Arisah’s mind as her pale gaze floated across the seemingly endless sea of green. The soft grass felt like a blessing under her paws after their journey, gently soothing the ache of days and miles and (admittedly) worry that they might never find a place that felt as much like home as the lands they had left. And yet, here they were. Here at last.

Ari watched as, one by one, her packmates stopped, taking in the scenery around them and resting their own weary souls, filling themselves with the knowledge that the long journey was ending and here would be home. Quiet Adena, so diligent to her duties throughout their trek. Jovial Finn, who could lift any wolf’s spirits when the day seemed too long and the miles too many. Wise Cinnamon, whose joy and certainty felt like a promise that yes, this was indeed where they were meant to be. Tireless Crimson, who managed to keep them together and pressing forward through it all… one by one they all stopped and laid or sat or stood and took their first measure of this place.

Standing amongst them, tail swinging slowly from side to side, the soft scent of fresh earth and grass floating in the wind, immersed in their presence and the sounds of their voices, their familiar scents, Arisah was definitely home. Shaking her pelt, as if loosing the last strains of wandering homelessness from her memory, the young she-wolf fell gracelessly onto her side, taking in the feel of the earth for a moment before stretching and sitting back up, utterly content. As she looked about once more, a thought struck her and the low chuckle tumbled out of her jaws before she could stop it. Home is where the heart is, her mother used to say. Funny that she’d walked for weeks and only at the end did it finally occur to her that her heart, and so her home, was now with the wolves around her rather than the land.

Land that, while secondary in importance, Arisah was admittedly excited to explore, see and learn more about. Eager curiosity filled her as she made a casual study of the landscape. Soon enough (for she was plenty content to rest at the moment) her curiosity and need to know would get the better of her and she would want to see more (she was not one of the scholars because of her clumsy paws after all). But for now, here was just the place to be.

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(ooc: I wasn’t sure if new members generally join the pack as someone new when they start or rp as if they’d been there for a while/all along. I thought perhaps Ari could have joined a little bit before the move and go with that, if that’s quite alright. Otherwise I can edit my post to fit something else if need be.)

[I have Internet in the hotel; I can check in occasionally.]

Gale had not said a word to anyone during the entire journey. His paws had been set on the course that they were to take to find the new territory. It had seemed that such a thing had been done. Crimson and Kira, as well as the bulk of the pack had stopped their travels. This wide expanse of grass with many new discoveries was to be home to the Banishing Winds. For the first little while, the warrior knew the pack would need to be careful otherwise they could overlook something that was potentially dangerous to the well-being of the wolves. Gale's sprite bottle eyes looked around with a wary light flashing within them. Shouldn't his tenseness from the journey relaxed slightly? He knew that it should have, but if it was possible the beta felt even more tension within his soul. During the trek, the Wanderer as the Banishing Winds had knew him had returned completely and fully. However, that meant his burning hatred and distrust for all came back as well with a larger force.

The multi-hued male lowered his haunches onto the ground, eyes raking over everyone in a silent glare. Unlike the empty husk that he had been, Gale no longer spoke somewhat kindly to all those who addressed him. Instead, they would receive a wall of icy fire and a curt reply before he moved further away. Such a personality did nothing to affect his job as a beta, for his keen eyes would scan for discomfort and predators as well as his other senses would be on the look out for other dangers. His unbeatable logic also helped to course the path the Banishing Winds ld take in order to reach their home. Such was what helped him to earn his current rank in the pack.

Once again, Gale considered departing.

“Was that a smile I spotted?” Adena's head lifted up from her head quickly, as if alarmed, as she threw accusing glances around her. But when she saw that it was Crimson who had spoken, her face softened and she smiled again, just a little lift of the corner of her mouth. If it was someone she didn't know, there would be quite a lot of explaining to do. "Not at all. You're seeing things," she said, scoffing but chuckling as she lay her head back down. She felt his brown eyes rest on her. “Seriously, though I wanted to thank you…for you know…pretty much getting us here and all. Without your guidance in direction and whatnot we probably would have still been wandering about aimlessly.” Adena fell silent for a moment, watching his face and seeing if he was speaking the truth. Realizing he was, she shook her head in modesty. "Oh, you would have been fine without me," she replied, laughing lightly; not loud enough to let any of the others hear. "But thank you." She smiled slightly at him.

As he turned his gaze towards the green plains she followed suit, looking out with unblinking, wide grey-blue eyes. She pursed her lips and nodded her head before she spoke, enjoying the view, as she thought. "It's a great place for the pack. I'd love to see what else is around here," she said, looking forward to going for a walk through this new land. "So lush and open. Plenty of prey too, I'd say," she said happily, settling herself in a more comfortable position on her side. She only realised then that she was talking. Talking quite a bit too. Was that her terrible conversationalist skills actually turning out to be better than what she thought? Maybe it was just the satisfaction of getting to the stopping point in the journey. This was both stopping point and starting point for the pack. And a new beginning for all of them.

occ: He did get on her nerves at first, but she can tolerate him now xD

Linnëa was tired. Her shoulder had healed and relinquished it's brutal war against her sanity, but she was still cautious. The last thing she wanted was another episode, they were few and far between now but only happened when she overexerted herself. Doing anything that even had a slim chance of triggering one was a hard thing for her to muster. She had endured so many, and rather than getting used to them she had grown more weary of them. Her eyes were drooped, and her head was freely stretched and low. She lacked the normal energy in her step, and had seemed to age several years in the trip. Her physical health seemed bad as well, she did not possess the normal decent layer of fat in between her innards and her skin. A few times, she had questioned whether her sudden downfall in health was something she could fix. She guessed so.

Not only this, but her voice held a rough tone, and sometimes she could not talk at all. As soon as she was in range of the others she curled up somewhat pitifully, wishing for sleep and sleep and more sleep beyond that. She was indeed ill. And her condition was slowly deteriorating.

Her personality had formed a new soft side, a kind and shyer Linnëa that had never been seen before. Now, she was not the bright and stubborn wolf she had been. She had waned from her sudden social burst and found it hard to approach others. Maybe it was because she was not her best, or that the pain had humbled her fiery temper. Apart from this, she felt somewhat lonely. As each single day passed she missed her old home, and felt progressively disgusted by herself. It was nearly mating season, and for the first time images and feelings of her old mate stirred. She buried her face in her tail, hoping it would numb them. Her ice blue eyes opened and gaped without actually seeing through the yellow and green grasses.

While the others seemed happy and relieved, Linnëa was empty and hollow. Like a deserted snail shell. Or a pile of bison bones in the middle of a parched desert. Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to stand. A slight sway as she straightened her legs was obvious. Her stomach grumbled, and she felt like a balloon. Literally, when she moved there was an odd sound similar to a burp, a clue to her illness. Little did she know that she had an infection inside of her. Though not directly life threatening, she could not really think clear enough to realize she was dehydrated and slowly starving because she felt so terrible.
(OOC : Her inspiration, Khaki, recently went through an intestinal infection, so I'm referencing to that. If no one wants to deal with her, which I'm pretty sure you all don't feel like dealing with this mess, I'm just going to have her figure out what she has and a short recovery will do just fine. It only took Khaki about 3 days to be dashing out of her quarantine-bathroom good as new.)

Phantom grunted as his stomach began to growl. He hadn't been able to eat since Ice went missing. It felt so empty without her by his side. The brute felt that his heart had been locked up forever. Frozen in time. Nothing would his mate back now. He was now a 'free' male. No one owned his heart anymore but himself. Phantom shook his head, trying to get ICe out of his mind. That would be tough. About two or three wolves had been lost on the journy to the new territory. Spirit, the delta, had lost her loved one, Soran. Even though Phantom didn't know either of them to well, he knew what it felt like for Spirit. It was rough losing someone you truely cared and loved for. "I know that if i had the chance, I would gladly take her place, if you'd let me." He mumbled while looking up towards the sky. He only hoped that for those that had went missing and were to never be found were all happy some place. Or out of their suffering pain.

They'll all be terribly missed.

The white scout slowly stood up and trotted off to where his nose lead him. The scent of hare filled his nose. Maybe there is life here. Seeming like fog, with his quick legs, he was off. The white brute hadn't run like this in years. He was slowly coming back to himself. Just without the beloved she wolf no longer at his side anymore. He knew very well that he would mourn for months. Perhaps years to come. If i could make it that long without her. He had made it two years without Fionna at his side so he thought he could make another few years without Ice. Even though Fionna was never his mate to begin with. Fionna had come from a pack that only beileved in that if a pair of wolves breed together, they would truely be mates. It made a little sense. But he didn't beileve it. Because maybe a pair doesnt want pus right away. Phantom snorted loudly as he came to a hault.

There you are!

A brown firgure was rustling in the bushes. The hare. Phantom slowly l owered his body to the ground and waited for the right moment of a surprise attack. This would be the first time he had hunted in so long, that he couldnt even remember. It would be his first meal too. Suddenly the hare hopped outside of the hedges and Phantom was chasing after it in no time. He barked out, spooking it even more before lunging on top of it. He quickly sank his teeth into this neck, killing the hare instently. He lowered his head as he remembered what Timber, his brother, had told what to do. "Thank you for giving your life to help others, dear hare."

Now the scout was carrying his fresh kill back to the pack. He walked at a slow pace before stopping a few tail lengths away from the pack members that were still chatting about this and that. Phantom slowly began to eat the large rabbit by taring off its hair then eating. Once he was finnished his golden gaze looked at the others than back down into the opening land above them. He sighed softly and smiled lightly. He was home.

Something was wrong with, Linnëa. Gale could see that clearly when the delta stood. There was something in her grey-blue eyes that troubled the beta. Despite the fact that he had retreated deep within himself, the warrior felt the need to go and check on his friend. She was one of those wolves he could not show his darker, true personality to; she would receive kinder words and shows of soft affection. The male drew himself to his tan paws and gently pushed past Adena who was conversing with Phantom and Crimson. Before the journey, he would have not touched Adena due to the fear that his crush on her would increase until it threatened to swallow him whole. However, with the new territory came a new Gale; his crush on her faded until it was nothing more than a slowly dying candle. The two wolves hadn't spoken on the trek to the grassland and therefore, it made it easier on him to let his feelings slip away and let his loyalties to the pack take over. They would be friends, he was certain of that, but they probably would not be more. Besides, Adena deserved someone who loved her and wasn't a broken wreck.

His white tipped tail flicked from side to side in a slow pattern like a metronome. It was a shallow, wag-like motion that went approximately forty degrees on each side; it wasn't too noticeable. The Wanderer's green eyes warmed slightly as he drew even closer to Linnëa. There was a concern to be found in the depths, one that was only ever shown when a true friend of his was injured in anyway. Other than that, he could detect the faint scent of sickness. That was what made him worry the most. Soon, he was alongside his friend. He looked the khaki-coloured she-wolf in her eyes, searching for any sign that she was in pain. As far as he could see, she was not in any pain but was there tiredness in her gaze? Then again, what did he know? He was no scholar who knew the sign of every sickness and what to do to cure them. That had been Linnëa's, before her promotion, and Cinnamon's jobs due to their rank. Was it wrong that Gale knew nothing about what was wrong? To him, it felt like it was. If he possessed any knowledge, he could have been helping. That thought made him feel the most useless. What sort of beta was he if he couldn't even figure out what was causing a friend, least of all a pack mate, such distress. Gale shook his head to clear the dark thoughts that swirled within his brain, threatening to overwhelm him. Instead of dwelling on those, he touched his muzzle to Linnëa's, though his shook with worry.

"What's wrong? Don't you tell me it's nothing, because I can see something is." Gale murmured, his voice coming out like he was choking on every word. With bottled up emotions came a release that wasn't always expected. Many emotions that he hid in his mind would sometimes release themselves during a time of great stress. Linnëa's illness was a time of immense stress. Both emotionally and psychologically. "Is there anything I can do for you? Make you comfortable, perhaps? I could fetch water if you need it, or even prey. Anything you need, Linnëa, just tell me and I will do it." Even he could tell that he was babbling on, but he couldn't quite control himself. Like Crimson, and Spirit, Linnëa was one of his closest friends. One that he would never want to lose. If he were being completely honest with himself, Gale knew that he would change positions with Linnëa and suffer the pain as long as she was well and in full health.

"What's wrong? Don't you tell me it's nothing, because I can see something is. Is there anything I can do for you? Make you comfortable, perhaps? I could fetch water if you need it, or even prey. Anything you need, Linnëa, just tell me and I will do it."

Linnëa suddenly noticed Gale standing before her when she heard him talk. His sudden appearance made her almost dizzy. How did he appear so fast? Was it her confused mind, half asleep and just plain dozing off to death? Her entire head seemed to be moving slow. Breathing deeply, she opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Frustration flickered on her face, rippling like the incoming tide from the tip of her muzzle, and up along her koala-like nose stripe. She waved her head, and attempted to clear her throat. That helped.

"Thank you for your concern, Gale." She said, her tone rough. "I don't know what is wrong.. My shoulder is okay but this is an illness. I.. My brain feels fuzzy. I feel like a balloon. " Her words were just confused thoughts, but they got the message across. Her eyes were drooped, and she didn't even look up to meet Gale's gaze. Not wanting to seem rude though, she forced herself to look up. She was surprised by what she saw. Gale had recently became somewhat reserved, a Gale she had not often seen. But that seemed to fade as she saw the concern in his eyes. Her emotions and thoughts were all too simple, but her eyes brightened a tone. This friend really cared. It wasn't often for Linnëa to have close friends like this, but now she did have one. She would smile, but she felt disgusting still.

She laid down then, not interested in standing any longer. "I think.. I think I need water." she said simply, her voice fading to nothing afterwards. The healing side of her seemed to kick in, and though she felt like she would barf she knew numbly that a drink may be able to kick-start her mind. Even the sound of water to her, the coolness on her paws and the bright colors seemed nice.
(Khaki was very lethargic. Anyways, I'm going to go look up some herbs that clear the digestive system or something along the lines of that. They may not actually help if used in real life but they would make it easier to have her recover. XD)

"Thank you for your concern, Gale. I don't know what is wrong.. My shoulder is okay but this is an illness. I.. My brain feels fuzzy. I feel like a balloon.

A small whine bubbled in Gale's mouth before being swallowed back. That certainly caused him more grief, especially since Linnëa did not know what was wrong with herself. To the Wanderer, she was the best healer he had ever encountered; for her not to know told him that something was dreadfully incorrect with her body. She said that she felt like a balloon; did that mean her entire body was swelling on the inside? That time, the whine actually made its way into the world. Once more did the dark cloud of thoughts show in his mind and in his normally calm green eyes. When Linnëa lay down, Gale stepped closer and pressed his forehead to hers. The pack couldn't lose her, nor could he. She was too good of a wolf to suffer from an illness that could kill her. Then again, what good could thoughts like that create? For all they knew, this could just be a cold or some sort of ailment like that. That allowed the warrior to relax slightly though the amount of stress in his system was abnormally high.

"I think.. I think I need water."

"I will find you some." He whispered, closing his eyes as he tried to hold back the other emotions that were threatening to show. His forehead was still against hers when he opened his eyes again. Slowly, the male pulled away though his eyes never left hers.

Turning away with one last look over his shoulder, Gale headed towards the scent of mud. That alone could lead him to water, at least he hoped it was a body of water. He knew that it could also be melting snow soaking into the ground. That would do nothing for Linnëa; he would have to search further away if he was incorrect about it being a river. His tan paws were light but moved in an extremely quick fashion. The dry, yellow tinted blades of grass broke like fragile glass beneath each step. A deer was startled by the wolf's movements and fled towards the mountains that were in the far distance. Gale's stomach rumbled but he did not bother to give chase. All he needed to do was find some moss and a running body of water. Luckily, he reached the treeline and found some moist moss at its base. A stream was also just beyond that point as well. Therefore, he got the moss until it was super saturated before heading back at a swift paced lope. Soon, he was back at Linnëa's side, his flanks heaving with each breath.

"Found some." He murmured, putting the moss at her paws. The male stepped back slightly but stayed close enough that he could hear the female breathe. Then a thought occurred to him: What was wrong with him? Normally he was a quiet wolf who didn't care much for others, even though a wolf could be friends with him; why would he care this much? Gale's tail flicked behind him once and his green eyes were flashing with different emotions and realizations. He cared for Linnëa.. More than a friend would. That meant, he liked her and not like a friend. Something.. more. While he liked Adena, it seemed that those feelings for her paled in comparison to what he felt for Linnëa. His eyes shown with that light as his eyes met Linnëa's again. What would she think to find this out?As far as Gale knew, she could care for another. That thought caused the male's heart to pinch slightly. "Linnëa," his mouth went dry. "I care for you." His ears lowered slightly as he stepped back again. What was with him? Normally, such thoughts would be in his head and only there. Now, they were everywhere and all could hear them. There was nothing he could do about it now though.

"Found some."

Linnëa opened her eyes and nodded. But, when she opened her mouth to reply she found no voice. She cleared her throat, but it seemed in vain for the moment. Looking at Gale to acknowledge him, she hoped he'd figure she was not being rude but just couldn't talk. Though her thoughts were simple, her self preservation made her unsettled at making anyone angry or annoyed at her. Her eyes looked slightly more concerned for a moment, but then Gale left and she was alone for a few minutes. She rested her head on the ground and closed her eyes. In what only seemed like moments, she heard the swift paw steps coming closer. Opening her eyes, she raised her head and saw wet moss in front of her paws. She smiled. She would drink the water from it, wait a short time and then make an attempt to go to the river herself.

Opening her maw, she took the moss in her mouth. Her jaw tensing, she squeezed the water from it which ended up being a pretty decent drink. Dropping the barely damp flora onto the ground, she swallowed a few times until she had downed every drop of it. She looked up at Gale with an appreciative stare, and her mind seemed to clear within a few moments. She noticed something on Gale's face change, and was able to ponder it only for a few moments.

"Linnëa, I care for you."

Linnëa smiled at him. She swallowed again, cleared her throat, and because of the water she was able to talk much better. It still held roughness to the tone, but it was far better and more audible."I care for you too." She said simply. Whether she meant it as a friend or crush was questionable, she really didn't know herself. Taking a breath, she continued, sharing her thoughts with him. "I think In a few minutes, we can go to the river. I feel better." It was obvious, because she managed a longer sentence and less simple words.

"I care for you too. I think In a few minutes, we can go to the river. I feel better."

"It's more of a stream than a river." Gale replied with a shrug. With a quick mental shake, the male's shield was back into place.

It was a little more flimsy than usual, but at least it was in existence. The multi-hued coat that covered his body moved as he shook himself slightly before laying down on the ground as well. His paws crossed in front of him though he did not place his head upon them. Rather, his kept his green eyes on the group that consisted of Adena, Crimson, and Phantom. The three seemed to be enjoying themselves and the beta was glad to see it, though it didn't show. However, Phantom's words floated to the Wanderer and he found himself nodding in agreement.

"Why don't we go look around? Maybe in pairs? So if one of us gets hurt or lost, there's someone there to help."

"I agree." The beta raised his voice for all to hear him. "We need to see our new home before we grow too comfortable within the boundaries we have yet to create. I'd prefer groups of three, but no fewer than two. Also, don't go too far away from everyone else. Remember, if you can't see us, we can't see you. Be back before," he looked up towards the sky, "the sun starts to set. You'll all need its light to be able to find us. Do not jump head first into a new area before exploring." As he finished, he looked to Crimson, hoping that he did not overstep his authority that came with his rank.

From her vantage point slightly outside the middle of the group of wolves, Arisah watched her packmates slowly break into pairs and groups. The joy of ending their journey began to blend with the pain that had dodged their pawsteps along the way and the other sadnesses that that had been barely kept at bay by the pressing need to keep walking. Destination arrived at, they began to swell up again.

Still fairly new to the pack, having joined not long before they had set out, Arisah had not had a chance to forge bonds with many, though she felt she had slowly gotten to know each wolf a bit as they travelled. Still, it left her uncertain where to go, how to comfort hurts that had existed long before she had come, so for a while, Ari remained where she was: sitting, listening, wondering where best she might be of help. As such, it was with extreme gratitude that she caught Phantom’s suggestion, turning her attention first in his direction and then towards their beta. Glad for a reason to be useful, and burning with curiosity, the young she-wolf jumped to her paws, glancing around. Noticing again that many seemed already paired off, she ambled over to the white scout who had made the suggestion.

Wearing an uncertain but hopeful smile, she called out as she approached, “mind a scouting buddy?” Ari certainly hoped the male didn’t mind. He was another wolf she did not know very well, save the little she’d observed the past few weeks, but he had always seemed rather nice.

"It's more of a stream than a river."

Linnëa nodded idly to Gale. It really didn't matter to her whichever it was, as long as it was a moving water source. Her legs curled and came together, and she curled into a ball of white, khaki, and dark brown fur that was mottled with what seemed to be an entire ecosystem. Sticks, leaves, dirt, and perhaps a bright red ladybug or two. She had not felt good enough to properly bathe herself, but she did have plans to wade in the stream a bit. She rested her head and closed her eyes, but her ears remained alert as she listened to the conversation around her. She didn't feel like participating.

"Why don't we go look around? Maybe in pairs? So if one of us gets hurt or lost, there's someone there to help."

"I agree. We need to see our new home before we grow too comfortable within the boundaries we have yet to create. I'd prefer groups of three, but no fewer than two. Also, don't go too far away from everyone else. Remember, if you can't see us, we can't see you. Be back before.. the sun starts to set. You'll all need its light to be able to find us. Do not jump head first into a new area before exploring."

She raised her head for a moment, opening her eyes to look at all engaged in the conversation. She spoke without words, her eyes seemed to acknowledge and approve of the idea clearly. There was still the tone of uncertainty though, a dim haze from her lack of food that remained and only slightly tampered with what she was trying to get across. It would take no effort to ignore it or not even notice it though, but for the keen eye it may cause confusion.

Cinnamon looked around as she heard the other wolves talking. Leaving a silent Falco to his thoughts she trotted over to the slowly forming group.

"Why don't we go look around? Maybe in pairs? So if one of us gets hurt or lost, there's someone there to help."

"I agree. We need to see our new home before we grow too comfortable within the boundaries we have yet to create. I'd prefer groups of three, but no fewer than two. Also, don't go too far away from everyone else. Remember, if you can't see us, we can't see you. Be back before.. the sun starts to set. You'll all need its light to be able to find us. Do not jump head first into a new area before exploring."

She gave a silent nod in Gale's direction, assessing who was already paired.

Finn and Spirit, Linnea and Gale... She smiled at the last one then spoke up

"Arisah, if you're ameanable, I'll scout with you." She stepped closer to the new scholar It has been long and long again since I truely spoke to somone of my group, few wolves wish to be scholars it seems. What influenced you to choose it?"

The question was either answerable or rhetorical, and for once she didn't mind which, but simply wished to get to know this new membe, to help her if she could.