Skah

Skah
firefly have you lost your light

With my strong but gentle eyes, I looked around, held within a curious manner. I was from a far away land. Why had I come here? To track down my sister. I had lost her quite some time ago, back when we were still what you could call youngsters. I had my mind set on finding her and traveling these lands with her, but I couldn't be determined enough to keep up. I feared for the worst all the time. This was a new and strange land to both of us, and I knew nothing. I could almost be completely sure that it was the same for my sister. You may be wondering about her name. She is known as Shiris, a beautiful white Arctic wolf with unique steelblue and silver eyes. I only could hope for the best in her case, since I obviously was lacking the knowledge to actually find her. Mo< I had been following her scent for some time now; tracking her through mountains, forests, past and through bodies of water-- when would this all end? I wasn't sure, since she had the same wanderlust I had, but even stronger. Her adventurous spirit could take her many places, most unknown by others. I was completely oblivios to her thoughts and how she did those dramatic things-- cross those hard obstacles. But this time I would find her. There would be no more waiting for her to disappear once again.

I stepped onto a patch of foreign ground, and continued to scan the area. I lowered my nose to the grass below and sniffed, taking in deep, powerful breaths. Yes. She had been here. But I could also catch the scent of some unknown brute. I suddenly was put on edge. If anyone dared hurt her, I would shred them to peices. I mean it. Every word I say is what I mean, unless, of course, I'm just fooling around. But in this case I'm not.
My silver-blue eyes stared around me, searching for life. Any motion in the trees. I knew by now that she was probably off again, to somewhere else in this valley. What more could I have to say? I felt lost, and her scent was the only thing left to guide me. I trusted her.

With a deep sigh, I decided to take a quick rest. I wasn't defeated though. I would continue onward after this.
Yawning, I lowered onto my belly and curled my banner at my side; against my right hindleg but covering my paw. I snorted, noticing it had gotten a bit chillier, and that the sun was leaning on the mountains on the horizon. Of great. I couldn't keep my trek going that well through the night. I had Shiris' scent still, so I figured I'de be okay. I dipped my maw to the dirt below and began pushing it around, making a small circle. Maybe someone would come along that had seen her. But then, maybe not. I wasn't very eager to meet anyone around here in the first place, so I wouldn't be too picky... Or should I?

SKAH
Arctic wolf
Male
I have a darker hue of silver for the base color, but am not gray. My back and sides have much black covering them, a lot like a drape on a brighter window. The top of my head and my muzzle, running down to my nose, are black, while I have some silver dots above my rather light silver-blue eyes. I have some deep steel gray in areas on my chest and other parts of my body, but black is most common. A line of silver creases across my back at the base of my neck.

Adulthi

Having come away from the nearby White River Mountain Range where her grandmother lived, Adulthi was in search of three things. Food, a mate, and possibly a reunion with her family. On this day, at this moment at least, she found none of those things. Adulthi, however, was one that could be easily sidetracked.

Her size was that of a cougar, like her sire, but her build was that of her dam, a beautiful snow leopard. And her pelage was a wonderful mixture of both; a tawny colored hide with a few rosettes gracing each limb. While cunning and strong, Adulthi had a mellow, peaceful demeanor most of the time.

Now it was that the scent of wolf came to her large nose. Wolves, at least lone ones, were nothing for her to fear. She could easily dispatch the strongest of loner wolves, though she hoped it would not come to that. Unlike most of her kind, she and her family had a strong link with the canids, and it came quite naturually for her and most of her kin to befriend the lupines.

Creeping forward on large, feather-soft paws, Adulthi drew closer to the slumbering wolf, doing her best not to disturb him. When she was a comfortable 5 or so yards from him, she lay down slowly on her belly and waited for him to wake up. Like her parents, she was determined to get to know wolves and befriend them.

Skah

I was oblivious to anything around me at this point, just laying there without a true cause. Simply because I was tired, but I was on the lookout for my sister, so that couldn't be considered an appropriate reason.

Suddenly, my eyes flashed open, and my dial raised. I turned to see a large feline, which seemed to look like some spotted cougar. I knew a purebred cougar couldn't look like that, so there must be some other explanation.

I glared at her at first, expecting an attack or something of the sort. But there was none. At least not now. My eyes then softened, but I didn't let my guard down. Not the least bit. I tilted my head, auds pricked, curious for her reason of being here. Large felines didn't hang around canines, did they? I couldn't be sure. Where I came from, the wild cats were noted for their cunningness against the other species that strived amongst them. I was bewildered, somewhat, that this crossbred cat would come near without even a hiss.
"Who're you?" I asked lightly, auds planed out to the sides. Was it right to judge others on their first appearance like this if they were of a different species? What if you were from a land where they always killed your own kind? Would that change your opinion. I didn't know of this place, so I would be generous until I found more out about the inhabitants.

Sighing, I slowly raised to my paws, glancing at the feline every once in a while to make sure she made no sudden movements that would make me sorry for not watching her in the first place.
I was now standing, banner lowered in it's usual position. I would wait for her words before doing anything more. I didn't want to be "caught in the act," if that's a better term for it, whatever I was talking about.

Adulthi

She took his reactions quietly, without any outward show of hostility or uncertainty on her part. She was confident in her power, but like Skah, Adulthi did not let her guard drop totally.

"Adulthi." Quiet, melodious; simple. Although the feline was terribly curious to learn more about him, she felt that bombarding him with uneccessary words wasn't the best thing at the moment. Might as well relay her good intentions at first, in body language, and let him get comfortable. As he stood, Adulthi remained laying on the ground, her lengthy tail stretced idly behind her without a single flick or twitch to show aggitation. Short, stubby ears were perked up and her eyes were wide and subtly intent. Not the staring, flat eyes of a stalking cat.

Skah

I kept my orbs on her, completely unforgiving. I didn't like that stare either way. It was particular, where I came from. Felines used every look just to catch you off-guard. Do you know how surprising it is? To be pounced on by some cat just when you turn your head and think it's safe? It's horrird. It's never happened to me before, but I've seen it. It happened to a couple of my friends before. But that was a long time ago. Who knows if they're still around. By the way, they were much older than me. I was only a little pup, and they were somewhere above 10, I'm guessing. If they aren't dead from age, then they were killed. Those are the only two ways to die, I believe.

Ah, anyway, my eyes held the deep, hidden look of pride. I flicked my banner, and slowly eased my way onto my haunches, which were still a little bulky from my recent winter fur.
I sighed, examining her features.
"I'm... Skah," I began, not having a good feeling about speaking with a feline, especially giving my name as well, "a newcomer." I then finished, narrowing my eyes a bit. What would she say? I couldn't keep myself under control too well in this kind of situation. Or at least not my thoughts.

Adulthi

"Skah, is it?" She responded, slowing easing her graceful form into a sitting position. "I'm Adulthi." For a long moment, she regarded the arctic with a cool stare, going over his features and trying to figure him out by what his body language told her. She knew one thing; he was definitely a cautious fellow, at least in dealing with her.

"If I may ask, what's your reasons for coming here? If you came from the far North, this land will hold far more surprises than a friendly crossbreed feline like myself..." The she-cat gave a half-smile, then let it fade quickly. No need to show her teeth, Adulthi thought. Flashing fangs could easily be taken in a bad way, especially for a wolf who looked so uncertain about facing a big cat.

Skah

I nodded, a bit brisk with my actions. She seemed friendly, but I still wasn't about to trust her yet.
Snorting lightly, but keeping my own eyes on her forehead. I knew what direct eye contact meant; a challenge. That was the complete opposite of what I wanted. But did it matter what you did in the feline world? Their ways could be different, though I can't see why it would be.

"I didn't come from the North, actually. I came from across the seas, in the east. I can tell you've been living here?" I stated, yet meaning it for more of a 'yes' or 'no' question. What surprises could this land hold? I caught the word "friendly" that she had used, and it made me curious. Maybe this land was different. Unique, in it's own ways. I shivered slightly, feeling a chilly breeze tickle my fur. I kept on my haunches, and regarded her words, somewhat.

I would just have to experience it for myself.

Adulthi

"I see. I've not heard much of those lands... although I've always wondered what's out past the great waters." Adulthi mused, cocking her fluffy head to the side for a moment. She knew the migrant birds were best to ask when you had a question about distant lands. But of course, a big cat like her couldn't easily get a bird close enough to talk with. Heck, everything seemed to be afraid of her, except the humans and her grandmother. Her brother, Xxalt, loved the aspect, but Adulthi found it a bit lonely.

"Born here." The big cat replied, snaking her long up against her side and across her front paws. "If you don't mind my asking, why have you traveled so far to reach this place? I've never tried to cross the great waters, but then again, I don't favor getting wet."

Skah

I tilted my dial to the side, quite amused with this little conversation that was heating up. I nearly forgot about her being a feline, and me simply a wolf. But I still had that trace of memory left as I listened, intent on hearing what she had to say.

I almost chuckled when she asked the question of why I came here. That was easy to answer. I had the perfect thing to say.
"My reason is my sister. Long lost sis. I heard she had crossed those great waters to get here, and I followed her. You see, we somewhat split up when... When, our parents never returned." I stated, sighing. I remembered that day, so fateful. Even though I was so young, I could still dish that bit of memory out of my mind.
I continued to look at her, studdying her.
"Even though the waters are so great and deep, they are quite magnificent." I then added, not caring much for talking about my parents.

Adulthi

She held back a shudder when he mentioned the magnificence of water, but had to admit it was something to behold. If only to behold from afar, as she prefered. "I prefere my water solid." Adulthi responded with a grin, briefly casting her eyes to a towering mountain peak coated in the white crystals of snow.

"So, looking for your sister? To bad I haven't chatted with any wolves." The feline said thoughtfully, trying to recall all the canines she had seen recently. They all looked mostly the same to her. "Lost your parents when you were young?" Adulthi brought up next, oblivious to the fact he didn't want to speak on the subject. "My dad tells me that wolves live together for quite a while. Though... I guess us cats do too. Well, usually not with our fathers, but..." She trailed off, realizing she was getting ahead of herself here. It was easy for her to get carried away with chatting when she hadn't had someone to speak with for so long. "I'm sorry. So anyway, maybe I could help find your sister?" Adulthi proposed,

Skah

I nodded glumly, but not in that manner toward her. Mostly toward the humans, those filthy creatures. Animals should have nothing to do with them, and they shouldn't have anything to do with us. I would have never been suspicious of the two-leggeds if my parents hadn't suddenly disappeared during the hunting season. But I'm glad I now have that view. I don't want to run into the same problems, and get my own life taken away by them, and for no reason at all, but to "kill and collect".

My auds flickered as I listened to her, obviously getting away with herself and words. I was about to emit an "Uh" from my vocals before I stopped myself, and decided I wouldn't cause any embarressment, if there would happen to be any in the first place.

"Indeed..." I began, not sure of what to say to so many things at once, "But wolves do live together, I think... I can't say I quite know; I've been pretty much a loner all my life. At least since I left to find my sister." I then finished, flicking my banner behind me.
I then titled my dial at her, interested in why she would want to help assist me in my search. Oh well, maybe it was just to help, or whatever. One can never be too sure on another's reasons, is one of the only things I could remember from my puphood that my father had stated.
"That'de be great. I have no clue where to start, though. Her scent was here last, I do believe, but I can't be exact..." I said, trailing off into silence. But I averted my gaze back to her form, wanting to see what she would have to say.

Adulthi

Once more, Adulthi went back to her memory, thinking on the most recent wolf scents she had come across. But alas, these too were only blurry thoughts; curse short-term memory. "To tell you the truth, I haven't explored much of the lower Valley. To risky with the humans and my pelt..." The big cat thought back on what her grandma had warned her of; it was one of the only times she had had much of a conversation with the fiesty feline.

"But if your sister isn't here, then we might as well search the lower lands, right?" Adulthi stood, swinging her long tail behind her and letting it lie loosely on the ground. "Have any idea where to start?"

Skah

I stared at the large feline, but with a kind and gentle look. Not something that just blared evil eyes at you in some threatening away, but just a little "look." I was a usually nice wolf, never mean unless you asked for it, of course.

I sighed, and looked around. I wsa too busy thinking about what she said. Pelt? What did the lower valley have to do with pelts? I was confused, but I might as well not ask. I didn't want to anyway, though I knew I was dying to, somewhere deep down.

"I haven't been anywhere but here so far. I knew she's somewhere in the valley, but I can't be sure where. She can move quickly." I stated, wondering quietly about where we could go first. Then I suddenly realized I had no clue where anything was, or what anything was known as.
"Uhh" I started, not wanting to seem like a dumbfounded fool, "I actually don't know where anything is... You?"
I sighed, audsa swiveling. I was so behind on places that it struck me as weird!
I waited for her to answer with an area; any area, just as long as it was in the valley and I had a good feeling about it.

Adulthi

Adulthi gave a short laugh as she thought about it, "Well, come to think of it, I really don't know much of the lower valley either!" The tip of her tail flickered a bit as bits of pieces of memory came to her. She knew of Orca Bay, more or less. A bit about the foothills of the Ochotona Mountains; including the Ashen Domes and the Eskers, and the northern section of the Tall Grass Prairie. And once, she had ventured past Pike's Lake and Requims River. And to travel from the Croals to the Ochotonas, without crossing through the valley, she had to go through the Canyon.

"I have been on the outskirts though, and once to the eastern shore. There is a place called Orca Bay. I don't know much about your sister, but maybe we could start there?" That had been long ago; back when she was just a little cub. But it wasn't terribly difficult to find. It was north of Requims River and south of... well, most everything else of importance. She forgot how close it was to the human town.

Skah

I had to chuckle at her statement, but I regained myself and kept a straight face. I tilted my dial and sighed.
"I don't know any of it..." I stated, thinking. Nope, nothing.
"Only this place, if I haven't mentioned it before." I then added, looking around. Where to begin, where to begin...

Adulthi

Listening to his words with a smile, her eyes lit up, "Great, I'll show you the way! Though I don't know why anyone would like so much water..." Her voice lowered at the thought of it, then she mentally shrugged the thought away. "Anywho, lets go!"

She was definitely prone to talking and speaking her mind, though usually didn't mean any disrespect. The hybrid cat paused to take her bearings, scanning the land below the lofty heights of the Ridges. Then she began a quick-paced descent, heading for Orca Bay.