Wandering

[Boshia]

Dawn lowered her head to the ground, smelling for any traces of existing wolves. The cliff she was on was difficult enough to scale; with every step she took, more ice was layered on the ground beneath her paws. She was exhausted, and yearned to rest. Smelling no other wolves of her kind, she wearily smiled. The sun was still hidden away behind the spiky cliffs, and the air was cool. Her coat was matted down, concealing the random icy blue specks that were in stark contrast with her normally dusky grey coat. She layed down gingerly, and in moments she was asleep; asleep for once in her own land.

[mystic;]

Serenade::

I walked cautiously into the land, searching for any scent of another wolf. I didn't want to be an alpha; I wasn't responsible enough for that... I caught the scent of a female, and hoped she'd accept me. Maybe if I had a home here, maybe I could find my friend Nikki and bring her here too. I walked low to the ground, to show I wasn't trying to take over, or anything. I saw the other wolf, laying on the cliff above me. She looked different, so maybe she'd accept another "special" wolf. The thought made that all-too-familiar chill run down my spine and I shook my head. Not yet. I couldn't change yet...but maybe it would be easier to just fly up there than try and climb those slippery rocks. I gave in, my body shaking subtly as I let my body transform into that of a demon wolf. The wings came quickly and I smiled. I loved flying. I was new to it. I flapped my wings a couple times to get them ready, and lifted off the ground. I soared up, beyond the cliffs and twisted into a fast spiral before coming back down to land near the other wolf. I was pretty sure she was an ice wolf, though I'd never actually met one before. I cleared my throat. "Hello?" I asked softly.

[Boshia]

Dawn's dreamless sleep was swept away abruptly, as a soft thud sounded close to her ear. A soft hello soon followed. She looked up, then cringed; the sun was coming up already? A wolf figure with wings was silhouetted against the morning light. She stood up, wary of the newcomer. "Hello, is this your land? If it is, then I apologize. I didn't smell any wolves, so I thought it was unclaimed..." Dawn trailed off uncertainly, then shook herself. Bits of dirt went flying, and the brilliant blue was somewhat revealed. "Did you fly up here? Sorry if it's a bit cold, can't help it," She grinned sheepishly.

[mystic;]

Serenade::

I saw the female wake up suddenly and then wondered if she would think I was rude. The would seriously hurt my chances of living here... Her words shocked me for a moment. "No, I could never be an alpha...no, actually I was wondering if this was your land? And maybe...if you're looking to grow your pack? I'm actually looking for a new permanent home." I watched her shake herself off and marveled at the incredible blue hues in her fur. "Yeah, it seemed easier to just fly up..." I paused, glancing at my outstretched wings. "And it's okay, I like it a little chilly," I smiled. Maybe it would be nice to live here. She seemed nice enough. And I was sure we'd get along easily. Maybe Nikki would like it here? I would have to find her sometime. "I'm Serenade," I said smiling. I remembered how Nikki had told me her name and I had been jealous of the normal wolf. But my friend had helped me find that being special could be good, too. I had wings, didn't I?

[Boshia]

She smiled, relieved that she wasn't trespassing. "I suppose that this is my land, you're welcome to stay here for a while," Dawn replied, then glanced down at the iced ground. "You're lucky to have wings, it was a pain climbing here!" She laughed. This new wolf seemed friendly enough. "I'm Dawn, nice to meet you. I haven't had the chance to look around yet, did you see any caves while you were flying?"

[mystic;]

Serenade::

I thought about when I had come. I had run part of the way, but my wings were fairly new and I couldn't resist flying again. The images that had passed me as I had run earlier now replayed through my mind. I remembered seeing some cliffs just south of this one. "I think so..." I answered her, picturing the hollow looking edges near the bottom. "Just a mile or so south of here. Still within your boundaries I'm sure." I looked beyond where I sat, off into the horizon and eyed my surroundings. Dawn was nice, and I couldn't sense any threats. This could finally be my chance at a permanent home. A family. If only just Dawn, and maybe Nikki.

[Boshia]

Dawn smiled at Serenade, grateful for the help. "Thanks, do you want to come with me to find them? It would probably be better than sleeping out in the open, with the sun up." She grimaced, then stretched quickly. "I don't really like the sun, it's usually too bright and hot whenever it's out," She explained.

[mystic;]

serenade::

I nodded. "I agree," I told her. I glanced at my black coat and then at the sun. I grimaced as it seemed to beat down harder on us with our remarks. I stretche my wings out to show my full wingspan and looked at Dawn. "I could fly above you and get a birds eye view if you want. It might help find the caves easier." I gave a cautious smile. This was my new alpha. She made the choices now. I was grateful for the home as it was, and surely if I was respectful she might consider adding Niki to the pack. That is, if Nikki wanted to come.

[Boshia]

Dawn pondered it, then nodded. "Sure, I'll be around here. Maybe under a tree, or near a dark shadow. Thanks, it'll really help a lot," She said, smiling. Dawn could already tell that it would be beneficial to have another wolf in the pack. No more solitary wandering, at least for a while. Looking at Serenade's impressive wings, she suddenly thought of something. "Do you have anyone else that would like to join the pack? It would probably be best to have more wolves." She stood up and paced back and forth, her blue hues glinting in the quickly approaching sunlight. The ice that was layered beneath her feet melted quickly, increasing her anxiety. Eager to get find darkness, she whined softly to herself.

[mystic;]

Serenade::

Being in my demon wolf form, I was happy to know that Dawn was comfortable with me around. Suddenly I understood why she didn't like the sun. I glanced down and saw the ice melting beneath her paws. Her words made me happy though, and I smiled. "Yes, I think so. I have a friend Nikki I met recently. She's a normal wolf, and she's really nice. I think you'd like her. I will have to find her somehow, but I know she's looking for a pack." I thought of my friend and our conversation that we had in the woods when we first met. I knew she wouldn't turn this down unless she had a very good reason to. She wanted a pack as much as I did.

[Boshia]

"If you can find her, then it'll be great to have her in the pack; the more we have, the better it'll work out," Dawn grinned fleetingly. She sighed, then scanned around for a tree. There was little grass or water from what she could see, but a very small clump of trees was close enough that it could be considered in her boundaries. Pointing out the forest to Serenade, she asked "Will you be able to find me if I sit on the edge of that patch of trees?"

[mystic;]

I nodded. "Cool." I sent a small grin her way and stole a glance around me. Dawn's words reached me again and I turned in her direction once more. I saw where she was pointing a gave another nod. "Sure, no problem." I stretched my wings out and gave one flap of them. It wasn't enough for lift off, but it sent small rocks and dust around me flying away from me. I stood again and flapped once more. "I can see a lot from up there. I'll go see if I can find the caves, and then I'll meet you over by the trees," I said, ready to be in the air. "That work?"

[Boshia]

"Sure does, good luck!" Dawn smiled, seeing how eager Serenade was to get off of the ground. She shook her dusty coat, and started trotting towards the clump of trees. Halfway there, she turned around to watch Serenade take off.

[mystic;]

I answered Dawn with a warm smile and then stretched out my wings again. I stepped forward, took a deep breath, and then charged, running full speed toward the area I saw the cave. I flapped my wings once, twice, three times, and lifted myself from the ground. I felt the now familiar feel of take off. Adrenaline rushed through me and I smiled wide. I soared straight first, then turned and made a wide circle around Dawn to show her I could see her. I grinned down at her and then took off back where the cave was. I didn't see much at first, a few trees and such. Then I saw some rocky looking places, so I ducked down and flew into the trees. It was harder to see, harder to navigate, but I wouldn't notice a cave from so high up. I finally landed when I saw a hole in the rock. I could still smell Dawn, so I knew this was still her land. I walked up and looked around the cave. It wasn't huge, but it was big enough for a couple wolves to sleep comfortably. It wasn't even very far from where Dawn was now. You could run here in a minute, walk it in two. I had flown here in a few seconds. I lifted up again, soaring a big circle around the area to show Dawn where I was. I flew back to her quickly. "Did you see where it is?" I asked, touching the ground softly as I landed. I pulled my wings back and closed my eyes. For the first time since I met her, I transformed into my normal self in front of Dawn. The wings and dark eyes were gone and I was no longer demon wolf, but normal.