Roots & Routes

Guest

Lyon had been sure to feed himself a fair amount that morning, finding a full stomach drove him onwards more than a vacant one; which of course simply made sense. As of late, time seemed to blend and Lyon found he wasn't able to tell when one event happened nor another and how many days they were apart. Memories were now cluttered like a horrid rat's nest, the repetition he'd been forced to live effecting him in more ways than one. Having entered the woods, Lyon's eyes immediately adjusted to the endless viridescent sea. The forest's color was vibrant, though not unexpected, it filled him with hope for the world... or so he wished. The recluse took a moment to observe, now well aware he was standing on a pack's border.

Wandering in a tad bit further, it wasn't long before the scents and smells overpowered his senses. Halting wherest he stood, his head bent to the side some, attempting to hear better this way and that. His hearing, however, didn't acquire as much information as his nose. The trees wreaked of urine, the pack's declaration of habitation, and it flooded the wind. Did this pack deserve consideration? Unfortunately, there wasn't any pack he had yet to meet who met his standards. Starvation however, that would be sure to lower his requirements. For now, Lyon decided it was best to pick someone and get things over with. He could be picky about his loyalties later.

Eyes wandering to a hare that had wandered out in the light, there was an impish grin as he openly stepped over to it. Lyon had no intention of killing the hare, as he was already quite full, but enjoyed seeing how close he could get before being detected. Closing foot by foot with the utmost caution, Lyon's breath caught in his lungs, now a mere yard between them. Slowly exhaling, he saw the pair of ears become instantly erect, the beady ebony pits flashing in his direction. Now alarmed, the hare wasted no time to escape.

"Flight is habit
when life
is wrapped
in fur
of rabbit."

Now utterly bored with himself, Lyon returned to waiting for a pack member arrive, much to lazy to call for someone himself.

She might as well just live on these borders. They seemed to be the only place she went aside from her den. And she hated her den. It was cold and lonely there. Not that she would admit it to anyone inside or outside of the pack lands, she hated sleeping on her own. Sure she enjoyed time to herself to think, she did it often enough, but she wanted a body beside her when she slept. Someone to make her feel safe so she could have a full nights rest. No nightmares, no restlessness. Just blissful sleep beside someone she cared for. Instead she wandered from her den to the borders and back again. Was she the only one in this pack doing her duty? She shook her head, such thoughts were rude and uncalled for. Then a scent sought her out. Male, non-affiliated. She changed her direction, picking up the pace. She sighed. Let's make this quick, she thought. Emerging through the underbrush she spotted the sandy male. "Greetings, I am Nnlya. You are dangerously close to crossing our borders. As such I must ask your name and purpose here." She hoped he wouldn't be another wolf with some sad past, she was tired. Tired of having to stay strong and offer counsel and advice to those with difficult pasts. Tired of being just her rank. Tired of seeing so few happy faces on her border. She wanted to meet more people like herself, like Drogo. People who could be strong for themselves, who could laugh and smile, or at least learn to.

Guest

Thankfully someone was quick to respond and Lyon wasn't left to his own devices terribly long. Observing the female who choose to grace his precious, there was a bored click of the tongue before he bothered to reply. "Greetings, Nnyla." Such a peculiar name, "I was given the name Lyon and you may call me such." He observed her stance as he stood his own ground, tail notably low against his leg. In his first days of travel, it had bewildered him to see she-wolves with power but after several packs or so, Lyon pieced together his pack was not the average society. It did not make him feel superior or excluded, his circumstances were simply fact.

"I came here to join your pack. I offer my body and its capabilities." One pack in his travels had asked where he came from and before she went to ask the same question, just in case, Lyon added the answer on. "I was born in a pack far away from here. You will not know it. I have no affiliation with them and am not allowed to return. The circumstances do not warrant pity, Nnyla, and I do not expect it otherwise. Things are as they are. Now, can you offer me what I seek?"

She listened eagerly, glad he did not drag out his tale. The Elite was quick to respond, hoping to speed the process along. "Lyon, an interesting name. Nonetheless, that is not what we are here to discuss. As it so happens we are in need of Hunters in our pack of Helidos. Would you be able to live up to that rank? If you cannot, speak now and begone from this place. But if you can, you must swear your loyalty to this pack and its Alphess Quinn. You will follow her orders without question or hesitation. You will defer to your superiors and otherwise do your duty to ensure the survival of the pack. The choice is yours." Her tail started to curl slightly, raising high to signify her dominance. She hoped he would join them, he seemed nice enough. It was a question of whether he could do his duty to the pack.

Guest

He felt she was in a hurry and was quick to oblige, or at least his plan. The pack was in need of hunters? His hesitation was sure to betray him but alas, there wasn't much Lyon could do about it. Nodding to her, he silently expressed that he be given a minute to think about it. Lyon wasn't an incredible hunter, he was much too accustomed to others providing his food. Regardless, his time alone managed to strength the skill, if only a little. Lyon could hunt for himself well but was below average when it came to larger prey for others. While he disliked lying, there was no reason he couldn't dance around the truth

"My apologies for my pause, I was merely pondering the weight of duty you proposed. I will, to the best of my ability, become a hunter for your pack, Nnyla. And of course, I also swear loyalty to your Alphess, Quinn, and will follow without hesitation or doubt." Ah, well, maybe he lied a little there but he would honestly try to own up to his word; whatever it was worth. Nodding again, as if to pronounce the end of his small speech, he took a cautious step backwards, awaiting her answer in the utmost silence. Could, nay would, she accept him as he was? Lyon found some wolves disliked it outward approach but he rarely presented himself as more or less than he was. Of course, he had told a little fib here, but the wolf did well not to let it scathe his morals. She would forgive him if she ever found out, he liked to presume, he was just doing what he needed to survive of course.

He hesitated. That was not a good sign. But the kind fae put it down to the ranks he would be given. Perhaps hunter was not his first choice. Likely he wanted to be a Warrior. But it was not what the pack needed. They needed Hunters and Caretakers. But from his attitude she presumed Hunter was the better option for him. If he was lucky he might be able to train as a Warrior if he really wanted, though she would prefer if he held his rank. Hunters were just as important as Warriors. But maybe he hesitated because of the gravity of the choice he was making. In any case, he swore himself into service. Now all that was left was for him to enter his new home. "Congratulations, Lyon. You are now a sworn Hunter of Helidos. Cross our border and enter your new home. We are a family here and your family is waiting to meet you. Take some time, explore the lands and build yourself a den in the main clearing." She offered him a warm smile and nodded for him to come home.

ooc - That's it for this thread. You may now change your name to Hunter Lyon. You may reply to this post but it is not necessary. Feel free to start roleplaying in Helidos and Neutral Territories.

Guest

Nnyla had fallen into the web, much too easily for his liking. Was this the type of wolf who was in charge of his so-called home? Well, he supposed it would be difficult to find a pack with superiors as well off as his own. Lyon bit the inside of his cheek a little... what a rude thought that was. He would need to avoid such negative thoughts in the future. So warm was she then, like a mother welcoming a child to the world, her kindness making the wolf highly uncomfortable. He felt it best not to speak, or he may betray his dislike for her general personality, the new warrior - er, hunter - merely bowing and nodding. Hopefully, that would be enough for her.

Mumbling a pardon, he took it upon himself to walk past her, the pack member not heading for the camp but somewhere else entirely. Lyon wasn't entirely sure where he was going, but he wished to be alone and perhaps merely explore the pack lands. Suddenly, Lyon paused, standing still as the wind caressed his fur. Bowing his head back so he may see her still, Lyon again bowed. It was, again, another silent gesture, this time a quiet goodbye. And with that, he took his time elsewhere.