First Steps

[Raydiance]

Previously, on Raydiance's journey
The flowing, somber pelage could hardly be called unbecoming in the misty light of the moon. It's faint glow caressed each curve, each indent, and each bump of the distinctive, lupine figure. The massive frame was draped in a thick pelt, certainly not odd for the North. Long breaths hovered over the wolf, the silvery condensation lingered only for a short moment, before evaporating into the darkening heavens. A salmon pink tongue lolled out from chops held ajar, sticky perspiration accumulated, as should happen with any canine-like creature.

Her muscles were nearly invisible under the lengthy pelt, but judging by the way she moved, she certainly ranked higher than a lowly loner.
The carnivorous creature stepped into a patch of light filtering through the clouds. Her features became distinctively illuminated in the few seconds that she crossed through it. Mostly, her pelt consisted of two main tones: Black and white. Onyx coated her back, head and sides, whilst a pure alabaster masked her under. It created little socks over her paws, and a small fountain of the same pallid color, starting from between her opts, dribbled down her maw, continued along her entire chest, and managed to flow into the pool on her stomach.. Most certainly not anything special. If it weren’t for her large frame, and rugged figure, she would look much like a regular husky… Save her eyes, which were a deep blue in color.

The lupine continued, as if something were calling her. Beckoning, beseeching. It drew her closer. She paused a moment, long enough to take in the scenery. Snow drapped everything in a frosty white, the pale twilight hardly able to illuminate anything. But it was a beautiful sight. The grove of large evergreens seemed to fade into the horizon, continuing into the sun. At that turning point, that something lay, waiting. In her mind, she needed to discover it.
Instinctivly walking over to the first tree, she stood up, and scrathed it, marking her scent on it's rough bark. Once again, she did the same on the tree opposite to the last one. Once her duty was done, she continued on, down the grove of trees. This was her land...

'You'll find your destiny... One day.' Her mother's word's echoed in her head. Was this it? The great calling, the urgent pulling. Her path... Was her path to be the first leader in this great, desolated lands? Wait... Something else came to her. The goddess of the northern lands, Guinevire Whitewave. So, she, a lonely she-wolf, was to follow in her paw-steps?
Lifting her two-toned maw, she let out a howl of triumpth. This was her own lands, and she was ready to welcom those who wished to be part of it.


The eeire sound lingered on after she had sung the song. Scampering forward, she bounded off, past the lands. The area was breath-taking, and it was all the young she-wolf could do from yipping like a little whelp. It was an exciting journey. Large white paws making deep dents in the snow, she continued on.
But her journey was suddenly stopped short. A steep cliff restrained her from going any further. Brows furrowed, Raydiance wondered how she was to get down. Thankfully, she wasn't the type who was easily discouraged. Scanning the area with her deep blue opts, she spotted a steep pathway going down.

Taking a tentive step forward, she paused a moment. Before going any further, she decided to scratch the ground. At least her scent would be there for a little while. Gathering up the courage, she bravely walked towards the small pathway. Actually, it wasn't at all that snowy, and surprizingly, not too icey. Scuttling down, a little more confident, the large onyx and ivory canine clambered down. Once again, she found herself blocked off from the path. There was a gap between the path, preventing her from continuing along the other side.

'Just jump!' She thought to herself. There was no turning back now... And even if she fell, the valley below was covered in snow. She could do this. With a push from her mighty hind pillars, she took the leap. It was as if she were soaring for a few seconds. In the end, she made it, even if the landing wasn't so graceful. But then again, she wasn't exactly lithe. Sure, she wasn't fat, or pudgy. Husky was more like it. Somewhat muscular (for a female) with lots and lots of thick, long, black and white fur.

Continuing on, Ray encoutered many more of these gaps, but nothing stopped her. Each jump just made her stronger, more determined. Finally, she came to a large area where she could rest. It wasn't the valley, but it was a rather large cliff, supporting a few tree's even. Once again marking her scent (it continued to encourage her) she looked around. The land that she had chosen looked beautiful. Carefully, she made a little nest in the snow, for a short rest. She had been traveling for days now, with scarcely any rest. At this moment, Raydiance could smell nothing but the surroundings. Since nothing threatened her such as a cougar, and nothing was worthy enough for prey, like a mountain goat, she was free to rest... For the meantime. 'Only a quick rest.' She reminded herself, overlooking the fact that the wind was blowing her scent back. Too bad. That impaired her, blocking her from smelling whatever or whomever was coming from the clidd overhead.

[Grey Cloud]

Wolves are pack animals. This is well known. Thus it came to pass that one wolf, by the name of Raydiance was scented by another, by the name of Ralph, and Ralph felt his instincts stir within him.

For what is another wolf, if not a creature with which to associate? Here in this winter wonderland Ralph had no interest in violence, for all his energy needs must be conserved for the hunt. Perhaps this Lady, this princess, who smelled of dominance and surity would make a kill, and perhaps her kindness might allow him to eat of it, when she had finished. Perhaps she would allow him to follow her in her travels (for he knew not her plan to settle) and glean what he might from her passage.

It was plain truth that Ralph was a scavenger and a parasite, but the lanky wolf had no care for the finer points of morality. Thus he skulked from tree to tree, rock to rock, snowdrift to snowdrift, staying always just within scent of the Lady, but always out of sight.

Why did the Lady pause? Should he pause also? Unsure of himself, Ralph perked his head up over the drift he currently hid behind, rested his head upon it and looked around. Where had she gotten to?

[Raydiance]

Something had made her feel odd during this small travel. Had something been following her? The lupine tensed, and carefully stood up. As a lone wolf, she was still vunerable, and, although she had confidence in herself, her instincts told her to be cautious. Something was diffrent.

In a swift movement, her entire body turned, trying to scent whomever was out there. Wall of rock... Pine tree... Snow drift... Grey lump... Fallen tree... Wait a moment. Her blue eyes returned to the snow drift. Not only had the snow towards the top shifted, but something was lying on top of it. She was kind of in the wrong position to tell what it was, but it couldn't be a rock, that's for sure.

Letting out a low growl, she held onto the low rumble just long enough to show her discomfort. Trying to look bigger, which honestly wasn't too hard, considering her large frame, Ray took a step forward. Who, or what was this? Still, she was no experienced leader, and at the moment, just couldn't figure out any words to say to the... Canine creature?

[Grey Cloud]

ooc: /Can/ they talk? Y'know, with words?

ic: Ah, there she was. She was a very pretty Lady. Big. Strong. Looking at him.

Oh.

Ears flattening in fear, Ralph oozed over the snowbank, paws slow, scared of taking a tumble. Snow was so unstable, so very unstable. It was dangerous. As was this situation, this Lady. He shouldn't have come. Too late now.

In plain sight, now, Ralph was shown to be a perfectly normal wolf, if one could call a perfectly normal wolf a wolf that looked too small for its skin. He was too lanky, the look of a loner, the look of a wolf who had never had a true meal, never had true prosperity.

If one looked farther than the lanky frame, one might notice that he was looking relatively prosperous, compared to how he might have looked. His ribs weren't showing. His eyes were clear, a cool yellow shade, and they followed her most closely.

He whined, low in his throat, and looked as pathetic as possible. He did not want a fight. At all. He didn't want trouble.

...pleasedon'thurtme.

[Raydiance]

.ooc// Yeah, they can talk o_O Ray's just not talkative.

No more growls were emitted, the lanky wolf did look pittiful. No need to get overly threatening. "Okay, so I'm not gonna rip your throaght out, but what were you doing stalking me?" Assumtions can be close you know. She glared at him carefully observing the way he acted. So diffrent from what anything she had known... But then again, she had grown up in a war pack.

Both wolves contrasted greatly. Ray was thick pelted, and although not fat, husky. She wasn't built for speed, but more so for hunting and fighting. While the brute reamined quite submissive, she herself remained dominant, yet cautious of her position. Ears perked, opts still glaring, she didn't force him to look into her eyes, but tried to let him know she wasn't exactly estatic.

"Well?" Obviously she wasn't going to let him go without an answer.

[Grey Cloud]

He whined again, eyeing her from his hunched position, whole body tentative. Tense, as if given half an incentive he'll run, flee, get away. Running away had always been his solution of choice.

"If you please, I meant no harm. I'll leave. 'm sorry." He is the picture of depression, letting it slow him, letting it lower his ears and tail, letting it affect the way he moved, the way he smelled.

C'mon. Take pity. He's putting on quite a show for your benefit.

[Raydiance]

Ray let out a small sigh. She had never been the evil, blood-thirsty type. More like the 'trust me, and I'll show you what I can do' kind of wolf. Banner wagging comfortingly, she flashed a half smile and gave in.
"It's okay. Uh. Ithoughtaboutstartingapack, wannacomewith?" So much for that. She looked him over once again.

So much for a good choice. He didn't look at all that cut out for a pack life. Just looking at him gave her the impression that she was looking at some vulture. A random scavenger. Ah, well. You had to start somewhere.

[Grey Cloud]

He does rather give that impression, doesn't he?

Ralph looked overjoyed. From the picture of dejection, he became a picture of happiness. "Oh, yes, lady. I would be honored, most honored." He was babbling. Silly boy.

He trots to her side, not jaunty, never jaunty, but at least he isn't acting like she's going to tear his throat out. He sits, tail flapping contentedly. "I'll do anything you say."

As long as you feed me.

[Raydiance]

Ray laughed, finding the brute's manner quite amusing. He was kind of... Quirky. But it looked as if there were a catch. There was a small thing about the grey-ish brute, making him look constantly longing.
For food.

"Yeah... By the way, I'm Raydiance... What about you?" Now that they were on good terms, they might aswell get to know each other's names. Maybe later, she would even catch something. The brute was definitly looking for food. "... So you don't have to call me Lady anymore."
Yuck. That name hardly suited her. She rarely went around all lady-like. Mostly, she was... Well herself. Somewhat quiet, yet determined, and certainly more dominant than most.

[Grey Cloud]

Well, at least when the other wolves were laughing at you they weren't hurting you.

Unless they were sick sons of mothers, and well... he tended to avoid those. Matter of policy.

"I am Ralph, lady." And servile. He is also servile.

Hah. In her dreams he stops calling her lady. Ralph was aggressively servile.

"These are your lands, Lady?"