Her slightly dry tongue flopped limply out of her parted muzzle, slapping gently against the side of her lip as she moved. She had been running around for about an hour now, doing nothing in particular except exploring by herself. She told herself it was a sort of patrol, but she knew she didn't have any intentions of confronting any intruders alone. Her paws curled underneath her ankles as she trotted, kicking up small amounts of the remaining snow behind her. There was not much of a breeze at the bottom of the hill she was approaching, but once she started to ascend she could feel herself cooling slightly. Her muscles worked hard underneath her thick pelt as she walked up the incline, her claws digging into the earth to give her some traction. Once she reached the top of the now conquered medium sized hill she stopped to rest, having finally found a good perch with a nice view. The wind blew around her gently - out of her control, but welcomed.
These winds were not nearly as intense as the winds that whipped through these hills in the winter, but she still felt their energy pulsing through her. This place was her favorite because it was wide and open and dangerous to many others, but she was in total control out in these elements. She sat her small body down lazily, flopping her rear onto the slightly chilled ground. Palegaze sat slightly sideways, her right thigh flat on the ground and her left lifted slightly up. The long tail that always trailed behind was now splayed out to the side, unkempt as usual. Her tongue still remained out of her jaw and bounced while she panted. The sun beat down on her shaggy pale-gray pelt, and she was already hot from her adventure, but she didn't put in the effort to raise the winds and cool herself more quickly. Her pupil-less gaze stared forward, seemingly at nothing, and she watched the small clouds of snow blow over the hills all around her. She let her senses relax momentarily, her mind drifting like the light snow blowing past her paws.
OOC: -- Winterspark had been prowling through the hunting lands when he spotted Palegaze. She was recognizable even from this distance, with her constantly ungroomed fur and those haunting pupiless eyes. When she had been born, he'd been a bit intimidated by her appearance, but he'd learned to grow used to it now. Approaching he, he dipped his head in a curt greeting. "Hello, Palegaze."
Having lessened the focus of her senses, the small female didn't notice Winterspark until he was extremely close. She had been looking the other way, and with her panting she didn't smell or hear him coming. Slightly embarrassed of herself for not noticing him sooner she straightened up, sitting more centered than she previously had been. Her big tail floated to her side and her empty eyes stared in his direction - her tongue stayed in her closed jaw like she was suddenly not tired from her trekking. She became slightly flushed at his arrival and sent a quick breeze through her fur to cool herself down. "Winterspark" she said shortly in greeting, bowing her head down lower than he had. Palegaze felt lesser in many situations, but especially around those with higher ranks than she and especially around the alpha. She had so much respect for Winterspark that it was like meeting an esteemed professor or the CEO of a company every time he was around, and she had a hard time conversing or acting normally. Raising her head from her bow to him she put on a limp, awkward smile. She looked at him, avoiding eye contact. He wouldn't be able to tell where she was looking anyways, but she still felt too intimidated to stare straight at his eyes.
OOC: -- "Winterspark," Palegaze acknowledged, without meeting his eyes.
For a moment he was amused, and even felt like laughing. Was she really scared of him? He knew that he could be intimidating, but he didn't mean to have that effect. It was slightly disturbing, too, to also know that there were wolves in the Pack that were frightened of even looking at him. He wasn't the sun.
But this was troubling. How many problems and conflicts were there in the Pack that he wasn't aware of, primarily because the wolves who had the problems were too scared to talk to him about it? He wasn't a dictator. He was a leader, but also a comrade, a Packmate. He had never been scared of Crowspark, or Bravespark, or Thunderspark (well, no one was scared of Thunderspark, except maybe Thunderspark himself).
"Yes, hello," he said again, this time in a kinder tone, adding the smallest of smiles to his greeting. Perhaps he should change his behavior, too. After all, he was the one who created his own image, off of which others judged him for. "How are you doing today, Palegaze? Mind if I join you as a friend?"
"Okay" she answered to his questions, not clarifying which one she was answering. Her limp smile remained as she scooted over as if to make more room for him, even though there was plenty up on the hill top. When she replayed his questions back in her head while she moved she realized she wasn't very clear. "I mean okay you can stay here" she said a bit more enthusiastically. Then she shook her head at herself and her smile turned a bit stronger. "Not that I can tell you what to do, Winterspark" she said with a nervous laugh, looking the other way. She paused briefly, listening to her heart beat get louder in her ears. Then she turned her head slightly in his direction, looking past him, and said "I'm fine though - how are you?" while her long tail wagged slowly behind her. She was eager that Winterspark wanted to stay and talk but she didn't want to appear too excited so the winds wouldn't pick up. She straightened herself up and puffed out her small, fluffy chest in as unnoticeable of a manner she could manage. Out of the corner of her eye she saw how ruffled her tail was and wanted badly to fix it, but she knew nothing she did would change her wind blown look. Palegaze sighed gently to herself, finally looking Winterspark in the eyes to wait for his answer.
OOC: -- "Okay," she said after a pregnant pause. "I mean, okay, you can stay here," she clarified. "Not that I can tell you what to do, Winterspark... I'm fine-- how are you?" she asked with an air of skittishness. However, her tail had started wagging, a sign that she was beginning to relax.
"Thank you," he said, politely but unintentionally coolly, settling himself beside her. Better take it easy with a nervous wreck like this one. He could feel her anxious gaze upon him, waiting for him to say something more. "I've had better days," he admitted, not returning her gaze but looking into the distance at nothing. "We have just recovered from from the epidemic of greencough. I hope that nothing else disrupts our recovery. Staying healthy, I hope, Palegaze?"
Winterspark's friendly demeanor was making Palegaze more comfortable and she relaxed the tension she had been holding in her shoulders. His honest answer of "I've seen better days" made her nod her head in understanding, having lived through it with him even if from a distance. He kept using her name when he talked which soothed her anxiousness somewhat. As he mentioned greencough she followed his gaze into the distance, thinking about the struggles the pack had faced. His next sentence was kind of cryptic sounding, like he had an idea of something that could disrupt the packs recovery. Palegaze decided she would mention that later if they kept talking for a while, which she hoped they would.
"Staying healthy, I hope, Palegaze?" drew her attention back to him and she looked at the male sideways, not wanting to make it obvious that she was analyzing him. She knew he was asking because he was the alpha, but he made it sound more friendly than just a survey of his pack members. She liked Winterspark for that - and she started to get lost in thought and lost in his thick white fur before snapping back to reality and answering him. "Thank Spark Pack I have been feeling great" she said, using the most words she had this whole conversation thus far. Winterspark was putting in effort to keep the conversation going so she figured she should at least try. The small, light wolf puffed her darker furred chest out again, this time making it obvious that she was doing it. "I mean, look how big and strong I've grown recently" she joked with a smile, hoping Winterspark would think it was funny since she was so small, especially compared to his large stature. She looked away from him and down at her paws which fidgeted in the light layer of snow beneath them, nervous for his reaction, her smile still present.
OOC: -- "Thank SparkPack I've been feeling great," Palegaze replied. "I mean, look how big and strong I've grown recently."
Winterspark almost smiled at her little attempt to joke, and his mouth jerked up slightly. "I do see," he said, playing along. "SparkPack bless you with everlasting health. I appreciate you being a loyal member of Southern Snow, Palegaze. There's not many who trust figures of authority since Thunderspark left.
"Of course, I hope that you know that I do not want to force anyone to be in the Pack. I am not saying do not be loyal. Being loyal is one of the most important parts of being part of a Clan. If the Clan means anything, then be loyal. But if it's not one of the most important things in your life... then find something else to be loyal to.
"Many wolves left because of the epidemic. Some returned. I was furious at those who'd returned, and for good reason, if I may say so myself. They only cared about themselves. If they really cared about the Clan, they would've stayed and supported everyone else. It would've felt better if they'd left. No one should be here because of obligation. That doesn't make a Pack, don't you think?"
Palegaze jerked her head back in reaction to the mini speech Winterspark gave her about loyalty. She started to get nervous - did he think she didn't want to be part of the pack? She fidgeted and flicked her ears as he continued with his little rant, listening to the alpha. "That doesn't make a pack, don't you think?" he asked her and she took a moment to think about it. Winterspark was obviously going through a troubling time alongside Southern Snow and she couldn't imagine the pressures of the leadership position he held. She didn't have too much wisdom on the subject but she figured she could try. "I agree with you.." she started, speaking slowly. She hoped that her response would ease his mind if he was having any doubts about her. "Them leaving showed that their heart is not fully devoted to Southern Snow" She paused, looking up at him but not moving her head from its downward angle. "I don’t know how they could do it. Especially when it comes to your pack - your family – you don’t just leave when the going gets tough" she finished, shifting around on the rock. Her face was slightly flushed at the emotions she was starting to feel which were anger and sadness. The wind around her whipped through her fur and she quickly closed her eyes to ease the emotions and the wind. Palegaze couldn't imagine leaving Southern Snow or not trusting Winterspark. She was a loyal wolf at heart and was so submissive that she couldn't picture herself saying no to her alpha or going against him. She shuddered at this and at the thought of Winterspark having to deal with it all. There was no way she could do it. "I think you're handling it well, though.." she said softly while avoiding his gaze, her cheeks warming as she complimented his leadership.
OOC: I am so sorry ;-; I thought I replied to this thread! I was waiting for you, and then I looked and I realized I never posted. ^^' Winterspark nodded at her words. It was nice to know that there were still sensible, loyal wolves in Southern Snow. If only everyone were as level-headed as Palegaze.
Though genuinely touched by the female soldier's praise, Winterspark showed no visible change in emotion. The Alpha was not one to cry, yowl, or whine so easily anymore. Something had glazed over his face, making it stoic and impassive even as he smiled inwardly at the gray tom's promise. "Thank you," he said, stiffly but not abruptly. His eyes softened, conveying some emotion over his simple and succinct words. "I try my best at making Southern Snow strong. But I can only do so much. The pride of our Pack is carried and maintained by the rest of the members, including you. I am only here to lead, and help. I am nothing more, or nothing less, than the most average soldier. The only difference is my name and the number of my lives."
Welcome to Compass Ross Packs territories. These wolves are... different than those of Earth. They live in a different realm, and the only way in or out is through the Transport wolves.
What are these wolves, you ask? These wolves have magic on their fur and the elements in their blood. These wolves have power. But will they use them for good, or for evil? That is up to you.
Compass Rose was created by Sentinel. Content is copyrighted to Compass Rose unless otherwise stated. The skin is created by Wolf of Gangnam Style. The board and thread remodel is by Kagney.
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