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 Posted: Tue Oct 01, 2013 7:16 pm
Igaluk had finally brought Winter to the others, and Blood Claw knew that it was time for him to make his yearly excursion. It was a tradition at this point, to make his way down to the shrine in the foothills of the mountain, to offer up a proper sacrifice to Igaluk for the packs that didn't necessarily understand the God. It was something he had started doing as a pup, the first year he was allowed out on his own, and he saw no reason to stop. Not with Igaluk's blessing on his pack. He was sure that that was just another sign that the God approved of what he did. The festival was also a good time to meet up with other wolves, both of a pack, and those who weren't. It was always good to know who else was around, especially since he rarely left the mountains. That was what the Scouts were for. He made his way to the shrine, a large rabbit held loosely in his jaws. He had caught it on his way down, a decent offering to his God. There were other wolves there already, and he nodded a greeting to them, as his mouth was full. It would be some time before it was his turn, and so, he dropped the rabbit down to rest at his feet. " I hope you all had good travels to get here?"
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Posted: Tue Oct 01, 2013 11:09 pm
 Windchill had been sitting awkwardly on the fringes of the festival's gathering. It was his first Snowfall festival on his own, and while he had talked himself up to going to such a large gathering, it had only made the twinge of loneliness that much more acute. How odd it was, watching the close pack dynamics from the outside. Brothers and sisters roughhousing, mothers teaching young pups the prayers for their first honoring of the festival... It was a welcome distraction when the white wolf with his vivid red markings approached the shrine. Windchill dipped his head in greeting, reading the others bearing as that of one of higher rank. " Though snow has graced us with its falling, travel from the forests has been remarkably easy this year," he paused and assessed the wolf again, " From where have you traveled, my friend?"
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Posted: Fri Oct 04, 2013 7:17 pm
He was glad to see so many at the shrine, including a few loners that were familiar to him. Most of them stayed in the foothills, but every so often, some would come up to where the pack's lands were.
He looked at the wolf who had spoken, a sturdy looking male. He held a hint of authority of his own, and Blood Claw nodded in acknowledgement. "I am pleased to hear that." He was a little curious why the Beta had come to this shrine if he was from the forest, but he was sure the other male had his reasons. Perhaps he was looking for a mate that he knew wasn't from his pack, or maybe he was even looking for a new pack to join. One never knew. "From farther north in the mountains," Blood Claw answered. "It was a bit of a trek, but it's worth it."
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Posted: Fri Oct 04, 2013 7:21 pm
 It had been some time since Cease had attended any Festival at all, but he happened to be in the area, and he could likely steal some food after the whole thing was over. Leaving all that delicious food behind for a moon god. What a waste.
But he could at least pretend to say the right words or whatever it was anyone was doing. Taking turns making offerings and prayers, that's what this Festival was about, right? He had brought a dead raven that he had found nearby along with him. Everyone else had fresh kills. He'd obey the letter of the law, if not quite the spirit.
There were wolves aplenty at the gathering, some with packs, some by themselves. Not wanting to intrude on all the meaningful family time some of the packs were having, Cease sauntered over to an unrelated Alpha and Beta. He acknowledged the Alpha first, laying back his ears and bowing his head. He may have forgotten some tiny details about the Festival, but he hadn't been out on his own for so long that he'd forgotten basic courtesy. He dropped the raven at his feet, and gave the Beta a perfunctory nod.
"I'm quite enjoying the new weather myself," he said, thrusting himself into their conversation. "We may not get the heat that the grasslands do, but all that summer sunshine up here just makes me want to lie down in some shade and not move for several months. Give me the snow and the cold any day."
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Posted: Sun Oct 06, 2013 6:39 pm
"I hear the snow falls far more heavily the further into the mountains you go. This festival must be one of the best to endure such a journey," he paused for a moment as the new wolf joined them. He gave the wolf an evaluating look, reading that the wolf most likely held a rank akin to his own, so he was an equal in that respect. He returned the nod with the appropriate deference before continuing on.
"The warmth is not all bad. Game is far more numerous in the summer months after all, and they don't hide away from the world like they do in winter," another pause and he mentally cursed, realizing he had skipped courtesies of his own. Flying solo was harder than he had thought, with no one to remind him of his manners."Forgive me... I failed to introduce myself. I am Windchill, from the western forests. May I ask your names?"
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Posted: Wed Oct 09, 2013 4:18 pm
"It can," Blood Claw responded, "and it does make travel difficult, but this festival is a very important one." He also paused when the new male walked over to them, joining in their conversation. He acknowledged him with a nod, rather pleased with his words. He could grow to like a wolf that had such an outlook on winter.
"There are advantages to each season." He added. He was fond of winter, personally, but he could understand others not preferring it. It was more of a struggle to feed a pack, or oneself. "There is nothing to forgive. I am Blood Claw, Alpha of Aok, of the northern mountains. It is a pleasure to meet you both."
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Posted: Thu Oct 10, 2013 2:22 pm
"Windchill and Blood Claw," Cease acknowledged, "pleasure meeting both of you. My hippy parents named me Cease to Exist, which I find a bit of a mouthful, so you can call me Cease." Cease attempted to sound friendly, but worried he was just sounding awkward. He plowed on regardless, "A wolf from the southern forests, no wonder you like the summers! Even the winters are mild, from what I hear. Up here in the mountains, when winter truly arrives, you'll know it. Snows deeper than a Bull Moose in some places, and temperatures so frigid that pups and elders alike die in their sleep." He grinned. "Better hope that winter coat of yours grows in nice and thick."
[[don't mind Cease; he's just trying to look cool B)]]
He looked over at the Alpha. "Alpha of a pack, you say? Why is it that you are here alone? Could they not make the journey with you?"
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Posted: Mon Oct 14, 2013 1:16 am
Windchill nodded along with the greetings, making sure to take the extra effort to incline his head more after Blood Claw's introduction. Oh the dosie-do of hierarchy...
He grinned, albeit in a chagrined way, at Cease's comments concerning the seasons, and rose to his homeland's defense.
"We see deep snows as well, one's that even a bear would have trouble to break ground through..." he self consciously gave his fur a little shake, as if assuring himself his fur would protect him from the cold here. It did sound rather frigh- ... concerning. Deeply concerning.
Thankfully the subject had changed, its target instead the intriguing Alpha. Windchill had to agree with Cease's observation about the lack of a pack accompanying him.
"If there are pups to be minded, I can see why some of the pack may have stayed behind. But it is odd to see an Alpha all on thier own, especially at a festival..."
He trailed off, and instinctively pinned his ears down. That comment probably had overstepped a few boundaries.
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Posted: Mon Oct 14, 2013 11:07 pm
It was unusual, yes, he could admit that, an alpha travelling alone, and he could understand the Beta's remarks. He would be curious if he met an Alpha travelling alone, and he certainly couldn't be mad about their curiosity.
"My pack celebrates the festival at the beginning of Winter in the mountains," he responded, "rather when winter comes to the rest of the lands. Many years the snows are too deep for us to travel, and many of my packmates do not care to. I try to attend every year, it is a good time to get caught up with the neighboring packs, and an extra sacrifice is never a bad thing." He wagged his tail. "I don't always come alone, but my usual travelling partner recently left to join his mate's pack."
He glanced back and forth at the two. "What brings you to the mountains, Windchill?" He was curious why he was so far from the forest, though pleased to have met him. There was less to wonder about Cease, as it was clear he was another mountain wolf, but he didn't want to leave him out. "Which part of the mountains do you hail from, Cease?"
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Posted: Thu Oct 17, 2013 3:44 am
Everything the Alpha said, made perfect sense to Windchill, and he nodded to show he understood. It was a shame that the pack as a whole could not travel to the main festival, but that was a downside to living so far into the mountains.
The sudden question directed at him made Windchill blink and shift nervously on his haunches. The truth was, not so much embarrassing as it was a long story, but there was no point in outright lying.
"Well, in truth, my birth pack and I no longer see eye to eye in matters, so I left thier lands," that was a tactful way to put it, "So by all rights I suppose I am doing a bit of the lone wolf, wander the wilds sort of thing. But even so, I couldn't bear to miss the festival."
And he was safe from running into familiar faces this far north, but adding that wasn't necessary.
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Posted: Fri Oct 18, 2013 6:45 pm
Cease thought that what Blood Claw said made sense, and he waited patiently as Windchill said his story. He blinked a few times during, because it sounded so similar to the story he was going to say. Now it was just going to be terribly awkward when he said the same basic things.
He realized the other two were staring at him.
"Umm, well, I guess I'm kind of from around here, but uh," he was beginning to falter, "that's kind of a long story, you see. I..."
Luckily, the entire crowd of wolves grew silent as a small pack began to offer their prayers to Igaluk in the form of long, mournful howls.
Cease breathed a sigh of relief. A distraction. Did that other Beta know about him? How could he possibly? Being a forest wolf, from nowhere around here. But Windchill's story was so similar to Cease's own. Windchill was likely testing Cease's resolve. Somehow.
Cease dipped his head politely. "So sorry, but it looks like we should join in the prayers," and he lifted his head and joined in with his song.
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