Where My Pawsteps Take Me., I don't mind being alone...

[Near]

Near's paws landed delicately on a wide outcrop of rock just a leap's distance off the ground. As his white wings folded closely to his side after the long flight around the territory and now back here, his dark eyes of stone grey surveyed the area with cool intelligence.

Not a wolf was in sight. He had howled earlier, but only half expecting someone to show up... oh well. He would still wait.

Exhaling softly, he concentrated on the air around him, stirring it with his mind until it was swirling in a comforting spiral around him, stirring up some left over dust on the rocks, where it revolved in the air before settling in his pure, white, untouched pelt. He let the wind settle and gave his pelt a shake, once more dislodging the dust until he was the same pure white as before, untouched by grey. Not that he cared. His fur was wavy and unruly enough as it was- he wouldn't mind if it turned green for all he cared. At least this way, he looked like a fluffy cloud. Half normal though- that was why his eyes were so dark and he was bigger than your average Soron dove.

With an annoyed sigh at himself, he settled back on his haunches and closed his eyes, flicking his ears in a calm, yet almost feverish manner. After a bit of sitting like this, almost waiting for the sun to start its descent into the sidelines, the heavens, he stood up anxiously and leapt down from his rocky outcrop, landing almost on top of a scraggly blackberry bush.

The twigs and branches of the brittle plant broke snapped under him, and the corners of his mouth twitched with a pleased smile as he grabbed a particularly thick stick and threw it into the air, walking a few paces and catching it perfectly in his jaws when it fell. The game went on like this for a while, until the sun was set, and he decided to wait for the arrival of any possible wolves back on his rock. He jumped nimbly back onto the dark plate and sat stiffly on his haunches once more, staring out at the forest just as the last remains of light disappeared. "I'm waiting..." he murmered to himself.

[Deception]

*//And When Death Can't Hold You Back...\\*

Deception's eyes closed as she sat at the border of the Soron lands, entire bodice leaning forward as if begging her to enter. Her ear twitched as her mind rebelled. She wasn't stupid enough to walk into another's territory without knowing what kind of wolves thrived there - and she definately didn't want to be caught when she didn't even know how they treated intruders. But she had to enter sooner or later, and the option would probably have to be sooner if she didn't want to wait for days on end until another wolf stopped by. Stone silver eyes opened and then narrowed, watching for movement anywhere near her. Nothing. A heavy sigh was heaved, starting from deep inside her hollow chest and released through her delicate ebony nose.

She stood and, after a good shake of her obsidian pelage, slowly advanced forward into this unknown domain, chilled by the thought of tresspassing. But she had heard the call of what sounded to be an Alpha, who would most likely be looking for recruits. Funny how all of the different tones of howls could be mistaken for other meanings. Why couldn't they just...erase all of the unused ones and keep it easy?

Deception's movements were more of a long, light stride than a normal walk. Sure, she cold gambol about like a three-legged horse - only with four legs, in her case - but she prefered this easy gait. It made her feel as though she were almost flying, with her long fur shifting and ruffling as she moved, and the breeze against her face when she was walking quickly. As she lifted her head to check the sky, to see where the sun stood, she released another sigh. It was almost dusk, and she had just pushed herself into Soron territory.

Her nose had picked up the scents of small rodents, but the huntress decided it was not the best choice to wander of her path, to take her nose off the scent of another wolf that she had picked up only moments ago. She had grown excited at the thought of another pack to join, a pack without her father, a pack where (hopefully) she would not be placed as the trash of the group and be beat up on at every moment others had. But one question, a disturbing question, remained lingering in her kind: Would they even bother to accept her?

She knew her personality wasn't good at all. Her witty attitude and her making jokes of everything...It was the only reason that she became the entertainer of her previous pack. But how long ago had she lived with that group? A long time. So, how much did Deception think she had actually changed after being a loner? Not much at all.

At last, a figure, one with wings and a gorgeous white pelt, appeared in Deception's view. Though her body language did not actuall show it, Deception admired the wings that this wolf possessed, each and every porcelain feather from the base to the tip. She smiled at this wolf, who she assumed to be Alpha, trying to act kind - an act she hadn't performed in quite awhile.

*//Will You Ever Have Something To Lose?\\*

[Near]

The whistle of wind past his ear was distracting. Though the air a few feet away was still as night, what was closest to him spiraled with thought as he considered his position, playing with his new toy under his paws, the partly shredded brown stick. Here the legacy began, if he could get any loners over here. They wouldn't have to climb the mountain for goodness's sake, they could just join if they had the will and the strength to waltz in here and say something to him.

Every few moments he let the wind around him spiral outwards lazily, wafting the scents of the forest and loner lands towards him gently, to give him fair warning if any wolves were close. He couldn't smell much. Mostly the earthy smell of dirt in this winter that was most oddly warm. Snow had not fallen yet- it seemed the weather was going to work with them after all. As if it was still fall. The rustling of brittle leaves as the musty smelling creatures moved anxiously, searching always for food. Prey was scarce, anything that could be caught was thin. At least the birds were staying for a while, though he was craving eagle meat for some reason, and he couldn't hunt that alone.

Moving his nose away from the sound of the beatings of tiny, too-fast hearts as warm blood was pumped through prey, he tried to smell any edible plants next. A few, here and there, but only enough for the prey. It seemed he would be eating nothing but meat and a few scraggly bites of grass at this point. Until spring came. Had he ever seen spring? If he had, he couldn't remember. The claws of one paw raked through the fur on another paw absently as he thought of the passing of time. He had been made alpha so quickly, but there had been no doubt in the pack as he took the position without another word. Not thanks, not regret, not anything. Just silent assent as the alpha begged him to step up and lead with wisdom that had not been blessed on the land for so long a time. But could he help if he was wise?

Then a scent he had been hoping for caught his nose. Over the faded, calming smell of the forest came an unexpected sharp tang in the air, the smell of a wolf. What he had been waiting for as the sun had set, as he had howled after finishing his hunt a while ago and stored the prey somewhere safe, flown here and waited. He was on his paws smoothly as she came into view, her pelt dark as night, but her eyes silver as the moon. She didn't look like a fighter, though appearances were sometimes deceiving. There would have been humor in the thought if he had known her name was Deception. Though he wouldn't be fooled. His unusually dark gray Soron eyes were rarely wrong. Though if she decided to change, to join, she would keep her eye color, and just be a pale gray. Clouds before a storm. Wonderful.

He gave her a quick look over as she did her best to be polite, though he could guess that she was a bit nervous. She could be a good hunter, but he didn't know her personality yet. Offering a kind dip of his head (he rarely smiled), he jumped lightly from the flat rock and paced forward to meet her, his nose twitching as he appraised her further. "You heard my howl." It wasn't a question exactly, he was sure she had heard it. Everyone had heard it. "Is that why you're here? I'm Near, alpha of the Soron. My pleasure to make your acquaintance." A question now, accompanied by a greeting, not hasty in the slightest, very deliberate. He never rushed things, though getting them over quickly was preferable. To the point, but take it slow. Yes. He didn't much care what kind of wolf she was at this point. If she wanted to join, she was in. He would test her and give her a position. Good if she impressed him.

[Disturbed]

*//'Cause If You Don't Got Nothing To Lose\\*

The huntress's silver eyes narrowed as she watched the other wolf, searching for happiness, aggression, any emotion at all. Noticing none, she turned her head and, with a frustrated snort, observed the mountainous incline that the Sorons considered part of their home. Tall, high, and all words similar were the first things that entered her mind. No wolf could live at the top and survive without the wings this other being possessed. Not through Deception's eyes, anyway.

Her hackles rose slightly as the other wolf (who she learned was the Alpha, Near) spoke. In her own mind, she saw Near as fluffy white cloud with wings, like he was meant to live in the air, fly with the eagles and feel the moist air. Deception's jealousy grew as the porcelain plummage came closer withing her view, though she continued - or tried, in this case - to show only politness to this Alpha, and did not bother expressing any more emotion. After recieving the nice nod from Near, Deception sighed and became expressionless.

As she leaned back onto her haunches, her paw landed upon a small stack of dry leaves, crumpling them, and her attention was immediatly taken away from the other wolf. She lowered her head, brow wrinkling as she scented the broken foliage. Soron. The same scent that first came to her ebony nose as she crossed the border. Deception released a sharp breath, sending a few crumbs of the leaves tumbling away from the pile. As her flat skull was risen, she slowly turned her gaze back to Near. She wasn't at all embarrassed about her curiosity, only a tad bit nervous of what it would mean to this Alpha. He was in control - he decided who joined the pack.

"I heard your call. It was loud enough, that's for sure," The huntress spoke now, a smile tugging at her lips. She was a contant joker, always smiling and trying to amuse others. But she tried to remain serious, or at least look it. "Call me Deception, by the way. I'm here to join the pack if you'll have me." She tried to keep her vocals soft, but her polite, serious act was beginning to wear off. And it was becoming noticeable.

*//You Might As Well Be Dead\\*

{OOC: Deception's post. I forgot to switch accounts, sorry.)

[Near]

Near watched the shadowy fae with slightly narrow eyes, keeping his expression mostly blank. She was an odd one for sure. There was a tiny waver in her personality that he was just catching onto as she spoke. Though her expression was serious, there was a slight strain in her voice to keep onto that impression, and she seemed to be teasing him.

He frowned slightly, taking a moment to take in her words before ruffling his feathers a bit and leaning back on his haunches. Tilting his head curiously to the side, he cleared his throat softly and blinked at her a few times. "So you really want to join?" He questioned her softly, his voice firm and challenging. "Well, Deception. I can easily admit you into the pack. In fact, I have nothing against you joining at all. You would make a wonderful Soron wolf. But are you really prepared? I can certainly do the ceremony right here, if you like."

He really hoped she would be sure, and say yes. He wanted to give her powers. He didn't mind being alone, but even in a winter like this that wasn't cruel, it was hard. It was hard to survive alone, like a loner, and defend your territory. Any random group could come and steal your life away if you didn't have help. That would be bad, now, wouldn't it?

[Oya]

Rocks crumbled beneath Oya's feet, her light grey paws never slipping as land disappeared from under her. All that was left was air and the soft swoosh of her wings as she began to dicend once more onto land. The rocks of the mountians brushing against her side from standing on the small slit of land. With a shake of her white pelt she leapt into the air, spreading her seven foot long wings. The grey tips barely noticable this high up in the air. Slowly, her grey orbs gazed over the land. Taking in everything. With out a seconds notice, the fea took off. Wings folded against her side as she began to head towards the peaks of the mountains.


Oya had wondered many times why she would walk then fly, but today she felt like flying. She had travelled these mountians by foot many times, knowing when the ledges were going to give out and where every nook and crannny where. This was her home... Even if she had tried to leave it behind all those years ago. It was boring to her. Noone wanted to race her anymore. The world outside the mountains seemed like an invitation, but now. She is afraid to leave. Afraid to find her home gone like her parents not so long ago. Oya is around the age of three. She had been born and raised on the land of the Soron's. Racing the pups her age when she was young. Never listening to her mum or pa.


With a sigh, Oya landed on a cliff, gazing down at Near and another wolf. A soft snarl came from deep within her throw, eyes narrowing to slits as she folded her wings to her side. Her paws grey from years of walking on the mountains paths knocked some small pebbles off, causing bigger ones to fall as well. "Stupid rocks. she snarled, turning her attention back to the other wolves. Hackles rising slightly. Maybe her name did fit her. Warrior of the Wind. She didn't trust outsiders. Never had and never will. Many wondered why she was even part of a pack. Lashing out at anyone who dared to defy her. Even if she was the lowest of the low. Which she isn't. "Who is she?"she asked, wings spreading out from her side. Looking down at Near and fea, ears pinned back against her head.

[Soar]

Soar padded slowly, eyes scanning the trees and looking about. He found himself strangely attracted to the mountain, perhaps hear they could find a way to make him more like a normal soron wolf, make him the regular size , make it so he can fly further. He had always wanted that, to be more like the farther he had never known. He blinked slowly, gaze shifting, his auds flicked curiously at the air. His head lifting sharly at the sounds and scents. With his tail wavering high and fanning like a flag he padded closer.


Pausing in the shadows of a few trees he took a moment to observe the happinings, but stayed only long enough to take in the form of a male and a female, one white the other black. It was strangely interesting to see but he took a step forwards from the shadows, the light catching at his brightly coloured fur, he gave a high pitched enthusiastic yip as he padded towards the pair, his stride slowing slightly, his nerves beginning to take hold.


"Hai" he growled softly as his backend slumped into the cold, damp grass. His greenish/blue gaze remained fixed on the pair, admiring their more ordinary pelts. He could only hope he would be accepted by this pack, his was slowly idenitifiying the white wolf, Near, as the alpha, but he was uncertain and uneasy. His body tensened, ready to run when they started chasing him off. He was a fair size bigger than the soron alpa, but the other wolf seemed of normal size, bigger than him.



His tail flicked slightly, the dew of the grass soaking into his pelt. His orbs remained still but his auds pinned back slightly, a sign of his anxious fear. His tail did not wag, instead it tucked in close to his body, he was clearly not the very comfortable around strangers type, but he held his head high, a sign of some confidence. He licked his coal black lips, a show of curiosity.

[Near]

(( A note so everyone remembers- just because you create your wolf as a Soron doesn't automatically make them one of the pack. ^^" This is mainly for you Oya. Just in case you didn't know. I couldn't tell. ))

Near's eyes had remained cooly fixated on the dark femme before him. It took him a few moments to notice the presence of another femme making her way slowly over to them. It seemed that they were in store for a full on meet-and-greet here. The slightly hostile light gray femme was behind him, making him rather uncomfortable, especially because that particular side was a place he couldn't exactly see easily, and it was also part of his territory.

He shifted on his paws almost nervously so he could have one eye on each wolf, watching with slight irritation as the light gray one bared her fangs and bristled obviously with unease. He should be the nervous one- he was outnumbered in his own territory! How pitiful was this? She even pinned her ears at them!

Just when he was about to open his mouth to speak, another wolf was padding softly up to them. This one seemed slightly more at ease, though a bit nervous himself. He didn't seem to be completely Soron though, from his color and his size, though he had the wings. Near relaxed slightly at the wolf's posture. He knew his place. This was a wolf he could trust not to attack in such a situation. Confident, strong, but holding the right respect that a wolf should when faced by an alpha.

Remembering that he was that alpha in the equation, Near flicked his tail into the air absently as a sign of dominance, flicking his ears forward and holding his head as high as he could manage without looking like a fool. His dark, stone gray eyes surveyed the three wolves with a curious, calm greeting. "To the two who just arrived, hello. I am Near, alpha of the Soron. I suppose we don't exactly have time to be beating around the bush, so lets cut straight to the chase. Seeing as all three of you have just arrived in Soron territory after I howled, you must be looking to join this pack. If that is the case, then please step forward and give me your name. If it isn't, then please leave, for after this you will be an intruder, I'm afraid. I'll get to the finer details after we're all sorted out."

He leaned back on his haunches, pressing his midnight black pads into the gray stone under him briefly for slight reassurance before folding his snowy wings tight to his side and curling his equally white fluffy tail over his paws. Waiting for someone to make a move.

[Soar]

Soar relaxed slightly, his tail folding out onto the earth, auds perking forward a little more. The voice for some reason made him feel more accepted and more comfortable in himself. His hues flicked to the dark femme, then caught the movement of the nervous femme whom the alpha seemed slightly wary of. Soar kept an ear focused in the direction of this fea, it showed his willingness to protect the alpha.


He took a few more steps forward, steady with pads stretched over the ground and tail held in level with his spine. Not a sign of either domination or submition, just a relaxed stance. Walking up until he was only two lopes from Near he dipped his head softly in a greeting, wings remaining folded into his sides in an unchanging posture. As his head lifted again, his dark blue lips moved to speak, a pale pink tongue lolling ever so slightly over his teeth.

"I am Soar," he growled softly following Near's instructions to step forwards and give his name. And ear flicked at a sound, probably a bird or something but it settled back into place, resting in position to hear Near incase of responce. The other aud remained trained on the form of the second female, wary of approach. His tail thumped a soft contented beat against the ground as he pulled his rump closer then slumped into a sit. Waiting patiently for anything asked of him. He remained larger than the soron alpha, but remained respectful despite this, never allowing his size to make him think he had any right to attempt to dominate another's pack. He kept a calm contented look about him, relaxed and confident in his own ability to protect himself.

[Oya]

((Sorry, my bad. I shall fix that. *Smirks*))


Oya shook her head, her fision clearing up a bit, blicking her orbs she stopped growling. Staring down at the wolves before, two were just like her, but the black one wasn't. Her fur bristled in embarssement, head bow and body lowered to the ground as she gazed down at her paws. Tail slightly tucked between her tails, yet, deep within those pale grey orbs was the spark of deviance. "I am sorry, I have mistaken you for someone else I must have known in my past." she whispered, standing up tall once more. Ears pricked forward, listening to the alpha and the others. "I'm Oya by the way." she added, cocking her head to the side.


With paws dangling over the cliff edge, her body now streached out in the lying postion. Orbs trained on the three, her wings semi spread out across the rock. FInally, cocking her head to the side. "So... Are you the only Soron left in these mountians and sorry about before... Again..." Oya said, chuckling a bit in a nervous manner. Ya, nerves could make her grouchy and a bit over protective, but that isn't anything new. Oya blinked, her soft, black nose twitching a dust blew through the air. She quickly jumped down from the ledge, hoping this would stop most of the dust and walked over to the others. Staying a few feet back, sitting there, stock still. The only movement was the wind breezing through her feathers and fur.

[Soar]

Soar had paused in all movement. His gaze fixated on the beuatiful white fea. He licked his dark lips curiously and tilted his head slightly to the side. Auds rammed forwards and tail flicking ever so slightly from side to side, sweeping the dusty, damp residue from the ground. He gave the softest of whimpers for some unknown reason, yet so soft it was barely audable.


His wings extended slightly, large and powerful, his tongue lolling from the side of his mouth and dangling just below the line of his chin. His head tilted back into it's regular position as he returned his attention back to the alpha, leaving the beuatiful femme for now. The alpha requested his attention, he could meet the pretty Oya later. He stretched out a wing, his feathers spreading out in a fan type thing, then a little further until small gaps appeared between them.


Soar sat, auds rolling around like a stalite dish, taking in the sounds around him, listening to the voices. While he gripped his teeth gently against each feather in turn, knawing at the edges to smooth them out and licking the dirt free. His attention wavering between both activities evenly, but somehow it never seemed he struggled to manage it.

[Near]

Near watched cautiously from slightly narrowed eyes as the first wolf stepped forward. One. He began the count in his head. Of course, one out of three wolves was good, but not exactly good enough. He needed more. That made two members of the pack. That wasn't enough. It would never be enough. The small, young alpha (why was he alpha in the first place? Any other wolf.. but no, it had been he because he was wiser than any to walk to earth, according to his past alpha) dipped his head to the odd wolf who introduced himself as Soar.

He gave the multicolored wolf a good look over. Bigger than a Soron, surely. Near was half Soron, so even he was a tad tall for the breed, but this wolf was definitely bigger than he. Perfect. Not pure Soron, of course, by his obvious color. He might find it hard to blend in when hunting with those colors, but he would manage somehow. Strong, patient, calm, and decently respectful. He offered a rare smile to Soar, his lips curling up to show his teeth, though not in an unfriendly way at all. It was a very friendly gesture. He dipped his head. "Welcome Soar. For now you will be a subordinate, but we will have some tests later so you can show me what rank you deserve." Three tests actually. He had to invent some. It was necessary. Every alpha had tests.

His attention was dragged back to the white femme. She was bold. She looked embarrassed from her clumsy blunder, but defiant even as she gave her name. Near's dark eyes flashed with almost annoyance as he flicked his ears towards her, pinning them against his head from the discomfort her mood was inflicting on him for just a moment before slipping back into calm. Oya meant no harm. Two. That was two wolves. "Welcome to you as well, Oya. You will also be a subordinate for now. I hope you can show me that you deserve a higher rank."

Deception, the only true loner at this little gathering, still had yet to speak. His gaze turned softly to her. "So, do you wish for me to admit you into the pack and perform your ceremony? Its not painful, I assure you, but I can't actually describe it..." He pricked his ears and tilted his head to the side curiously.

[Oya]

Oya's ears flickered forward at the word test, orbs finally focusing on Near. She was looking at the other half Soron infront of Near by the name of Soar. But quickly, she was back on track. She could tell that Near was displeased with her behavior, but she didn't know anyway else to act you might say. It was her. To defy. Standing up, slowly, she stood behind Near. Her heigth shorter then Near and Soar, but she wasn't afraid to defend for herself. With a small smirk on her face she took a step forward. "Did you say tests? Cause I'm all for it and I will prove myself. Don't worry." she said, trying to hide the smirk etched in her voice.


With a ruffle of her wings, she stood there. Ears forward, her grey orbs flickering between Soar and Near stepping out from behind the Alpha to stand to the side of them both. Slowly her tail wagged back and forth, head slighly lower then before as she watched the two. "Tests are alwasy fun. Use to race my fellow pups when I was young..." she whispered, canines flashing a bit as she smiled softly. Head cocked to the side, not really in the mood to ly down on the ground. Lifting a light grey paw she licked it, before placing it on the ground. Thinking that the rocks were stupid at the moment or she was just being stupid today. Cause there, on her front paw was a small scratch, nothing big and it really didn't bother her any. Just a habit to lick a new wound.

[Deception]

Deception brow lifted as Near asked her whether or not she was prepared. She fought to keep a snort contained to her maw. "Of course I'm prepared..." She kept her tone soft, quiet. And then she continued: "And I'd be happy to join, I've traveled this far and -" Deception was cut of by the arrival of another she-wolf, this one as white as snow, accompanied by a slight growl. A ripple in the huntress's chest was released also, challenging the porcelain wolf to jump her.
And then another wolf arrived, a male this time, whose fur was a beautiful mixture of colors. He seemed to approach kinder than the other, but Deception was careful not to make an assumption too quickly. She acknowledged both of the newcomers with a swft twitch of her ears, and then returned her attention back to Near when he began to speak again.
She learned the mixed-pelted wolf was Soar, and the porcelain she-wolf was Oya. She seemed more at ease now, and Deception could only release a sharp, audible blow of her nose as Oya apologized. Both were accepted to the pack, and there the huntress stood: the only loner left.
Deception stood now, ears cocked slightly backward with a mixture of excitement and agitation. "I'm Deception, as you already know."

[Soar]

Soar's head tilted slightly, his attention brought towards Deception, tongue lapping against navy lips. But his head turned to Near as he was adressed by the alpha. Test? Rank he deserves? He dipped his head in acceptance, auds brought back slightly as the thought of tests rolled through his mind. His weight shifted uncomfortably, his hues flickering about the small group.

He waited in silence until everyone had introduced themselves. Four, not the strongest pack ever but they would do well enough. Two males, two females. A good balance in the pack. A bold looking alpha and a fiery looking pair of females. Perhaps the pack would indeed do well. Or maybe it would. And while he was already summarising the wolves in his mind, he had never any idea how to summarise himself.

Did all wolves have this problem. Perhaps strange furred brute would be how he would be recognised among the pack, or maybe big winged wolf? Soar seemed lost in thought but totally aware of everything going on around him. He had to admit he was strange, but was there any reason to be so confused? Or was he? He sighed slumping down on the damp grass and and panting, suddenly feeling rather tired and small. Was there something wrong with him?