A New Home [Done]

[Stormy May]

Mist edged towards the border of what was known as Bleak Bluffs. She didn't want to join a pack, for fear of betrayal or being hated, but her stomach argued with her heart. She couldn't bear being alone any longer. Her only friends were plants, and her only food air. She'd die if she stayed alone.

A warm breeze blew across her back, like the world was telling her to go on, and that everything would be okay. Mist respectfully sat at the edge of the border, gathered up the last of her courage, and let a series of loud howls burst forth; one after another. She hoped to the White Wolves that she'd find her home here.

[Gyllbane]

Spring had indeed sprung on the heathlands where the Honovi made their home. Treason could feel it in the air, could see it during her long strolls when the hardy flowering shrubs of the hilly landscape bloomed, giving the sprawling landscape a distinctive purple cast. It was as she was admiring one such view that the call rang out, from the border not far from where she stood. Russet ears pricked in its direction, and she moved to make her way to the border without hesitation.

When the lanky female came into sight Treason was quick to assess her; thin, lanky, most likely a loner who'd weathered the winter on her own. The howl had reassured Treason that the wolf had not been looking for trouble, and this doubly reinforced it. She approached the wolf, tail held high but not aggressively so.

"Greetings." She dipped her great head politely, keenly aware of the size difference between the young female and herself. She spoke gently, though her demeanor remained firm as ever. "What brings you to these lands?"

[Stormy May]

Mist lit ablaze with a rainbow of emotion as another female asked her the simple question. The air around this wolf was full of authority. Mist hung her head in inferiority, and spoke softly.

"I- Well, I, um," Mist struggled to form a sentence. She stopped and tried again. "I've been on my own for a while, now, and I need somewhere safe. I'm looking to join your pack." She was shocked at her own speech. She'd never said so much to a stranger before, much less with such confidence. Something about this wolf demanded respect, and Mist was more than willing to give it. Could this possibly be the alphess?

[Gyllbane]

Treason expected the request, and at the conclusion of the short speech she nodded. She had never been one to turn down a request to join, especially by ones so malnourished as Mist; however, certain protocols had to be followed, of course, and so she hid her motherly instinct for the time being.

"The Honovi accepts all brave neutral wolves wishing to become part of something greater than any one wolf alone; however, I hope you'll forgive a few questions on my part." She offered a faint smile in the hopes that it would put the younger female at ease. "May I ask your name, and if you affiliate yourself with the neutral alignment?"

Amber eyes watched Mist carefully for an answer. She'd taken to asking the latter portion over the winter - too many young Good wolves had found themselves at her border seeking shelter, only for her to have to turn them away. She almost believed she'd bolstered Piala's ranks more than her own, as it stood. Some small part of her hoped indeed that this would not turn out the same way.

[Stormy May]

Mist's mind blanked at the request. All of her courage seemed to have escaped with her little speech. "My n-name? It's, uh, M-M-M-" She stalled, searching the back of her mind for the answer that should've come so easily. "-Mist. I've s-sided with the g-good. May I a-ask your n-n-name?"

Mist mentally kicked herself for her shyness. She thought that surely forgetting her own name would cost the trust of the girl. This was exactly what she'd been afraid of happening. Her nightmare was becoming reality right before her eyes. Mist felt like her every last hope of safety had gone up in flames with her stutter.

[Gyllbane]

Treason wilted internally a bit as the female stuttered out that phrase, though she did well to contain it. Her disappointment was short lived, and her attention refocused on Mist, practically shaking before her. It wasn't as though she'd never experienced that fear before - she stood half a head above many of the males in her pack, nevermind the females, and it was partially this that had earned her the respect she needed, in the beginning. It served her quite differently at the borders, though, and often to her detriment with wolves like this.

She lowered her tail by degrees. "I am Treason, Alphess of the Honovi, and I am sorry. I cannot offer you shelter within my pack as a Good wolf." She glanced south, hoping the news would not further frighten Mist. "There is a pack that resides within the fields in the southernmost end of the Valley. They call themselves Eternal Snowfall; Piala is their leader. If you wish a home, you should seek her out."

[Stormy May]

Everything in Mist's heart fell apart with every word she said. Indeed, this was alphess Treason, the very wolf she'd been searching for. That statement built Mist up, but the second statement broke her. Surely, by now, the disappointment was visible on her face. "I s-see." Was all she could mutter for a moment.

Mist followed Treason's gaze towards Eternal Snowfall. She'd made it this far, so surelt she could make it there. At least, that's what she wanted to think.

"I-I apolo-pologize for b-bothering you. I'll be o-on my way n-now."

Mist began walking in the direction Treason had pointed her, head hung low in sadness. Something inside her made her stop. "I h-hope we meet ag-again... under b-better circumst-stances."

At that, Mist started walking and didn't look back. She felt as though she'd hurt Treason's feelings, and hurting others was something Mist hated. If she turned back now, she'd fall apart.

You up for one last trial? She thought.

[Gyllbane]

"No apologies needed, young one. I'm sure you'll find a home with Piala." Another gentle smile lit her face, this one more honest, and a slight flick of her tail indicated no hard feelings on her part. It did not do well to make a bad name for herself among the valley, and she could not truly hold anything against Mist simply because of her alignment.

"Travel well, Mist. White Wolves guide you." Another dip of the head, and once the silvery female was out of sight she turned and began her patrol once more - the neverending journey of the Alpha.