Try Me (Open)

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Ruffian:
 A tall black wolf slipped along the grass, almost silently except for the rustle of the grass. She stopped at a creek, balancing on small paws, thin ankles, and long legs. She looked like a black deer, balanced, ready to flee. Her name was Ruffian, a long legged, sleek wolf from outside the valley. She looked behind her, listening for her noisy, large brother, Joey. Joey was larger and slower then Ruffian, but also stronger and could push himself forward with more force then her. He also didn't have thin ankles. For that Ruffian envied him, but they made her faster and more powerful. "Where are you Joey? Did I leave you back at the mountain? Or did you make it all the way to the forests?" she yelled.

Joey:
 Joey flashed like a bit of gold in the grass. His powerful muscles thrust his large form across the ground, but not half as fast as his lean sister. Well, once she wolfed down the next hunt not as lean. Joey slowed down, panting. Autumn did not agree with him, that and his slight cold at the moment. He trudged through the tall, thick grass. He went over to the creek, ignoring his sister and drank some water. It felt really good to drink. He looked t his sister "No need to rub it in, I know I'm slow compared to you."

      

[Fierfly]

Sahandra:

The slight, young she-wolf padded through the taller grass and cat-tails to the river bed for a drink. Autumn was beautiful, but difficult. The grass was drying, tall and stiff and somewhat bothersome for her to push through with her short legs. Still, it was beautiful, the fiery reds and golds that cloaked the trees of the valley were breath-taking and the sky shone with a pure, brilliant blue not known to the other seasons. There was always something good and beautiful.

Finally she reached the bank and bent down to take a drink, maybe that was one advantage to being petite, she didn't have to lower her head as far. Only a few laps into her stay she heard voices. Her ears perked and her Mediterranean blue eyes scanned the banks. Two tall wolves stood only a few feet away from her. The female was speaking, her tone was somewhat sharp, but also a bit teasing, a combination Sahandra would have to think about.

Feeling hopeful and friendly this particular day she threw caution to the wind and approached, head high, ears pricked and expression friendly. "Good Morning," she fairly chirped,

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Ruffian:
Ruffian looked up at the small wolf down the bank. She took a step, her brown eyes trained on this other she-wolf's Mediterranean blue eyes. She flicked her tail, and wondered why she hadn't smelled this other wolf. Most likely, because this female was downwind. "Who may you be? My name is Ruffian, this is my brother Joey." Ruffian said politely. She sat down, and lowered her head in a non-threatening way.  She wondered how her star looked, it was a bit of a pride with her. Ruffian waited for this she-wolf to say something, or Joey.

Joey:
Joey looked up, startled. He felt his black hackles rise in surprise, and looked at his sister. Ruffian seemed a little ruffled, but quickly smoothed it over. So he followed her lead, she was the one with manners. Joey wasn't much of a mannered wolf, but Ruffian was another story. He looked at the she-wolf as Ruffian spoke. "Yha, thats me. Joey" Boring old Joey.

[Fierfly]

Sahandra:

"It's a pleasure to meet both of you Ruffian and Joey," that ever present smile spread across her maw, "My name is Sahandra," noting their slightly raised hackles she quickly excused herself, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you." An ear flicked back to drink in the sound of the running water of the creek and late-summer birdsong, the sun was warm on her back and a fresh breeze kept the day pleasant. She wasn't particularly fond of the well-what-do-you-think-of-the-weather cop-out to get a conversation started, but in this case she felt it would be appropriate, anyway, the conversation usually took care of itself once you got it rolling. "Beautiful morning isn't it?"

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Ruffian: 
"It is nice to meet you as well." Ruffian said, and then  "Yes, it is a nice day. How do you like the Autumn?" she asked, her brown eyes became much softer. She glared at Joey, and saw him lower his black hackles. He looks like a elk when he dose that, she thought. She looked back at Sahandra and smiled. Ruffian smiled politely.

Joey:
When Ruffian glared at Joey he quickly lowered them. He was not in the mood for his sister to lecture him on manners. He sat as well, then started grooming his fur. It was nice, he prided himself on it. He wanted the dapples to shine.

[Fierfly]

Sahandra:

"I think it's beautiful," she gushed honestly, "But then-everything's beautiful, sometimes we just have to look for it." she smiled as she gazed over the yellow and orange and red landscape, contrasted and complimented by the brilliant blue sky and the wise gray Mountain. She turned her attention back to her new friends, "Are you from around here? Have a pack nearby maybe?" she studied their coats. Both were more sensibly colored for better camouflage. She'd never been outside the valley, but she'd heard that those who had no connection to it often didn't have the vibrant colors of the regular occupants. In retrospect her question wasn't well thought out, but it was something.

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Ruffian:
"No, we are from outside the valley. Not far outside, just outside. We don't have a pack, unless a bunch of my brothers count." Ruffian said, studying this wolf's fur, noting the blues and creams. Ruffian suddenly felt plain, as she was black with a white paw and star. Joey was golden bayish with dapples, he looked more like he belonged here then Ruffian.

Joey:
Joey started grooming his tail. He looked up when they started talking about where Ruffian and he where from. He went back to his tail, but stopped and continued listing. This may be interesting, maybe.

[Fierfly]

Sahandra:

"In that case, welcome to the valley; and yes I would say that family counts as a pack." she studied them again, lucky, both of them. Black and bay were more natural colors and blended in easier, something she could have used since she wasn't the best at defending herself or hunting, she made a mental note to try and be extra nice about Ruffian's jet black coat as the she-wolf suddenly seemed self conscious about it.

Suddenly realizing that they'd been leaving Joey in the dust she turned her bright smile to him, "So, what are you doing on this fine day?" she pointed the question at the male, hoping to hear more from him than a "Yha".

[Deleted]

Joey:
Joey was startled when Sahandra spoke to him. "Following my little sister, on her crazy quest to find our brothers who I think should stay lost. Mostly getting left in the dust." Joey said bitterly. It was the single longest thing he had ever said. Joey felt his hackles come up again, showing the black ruff that made him so strange. He quickly got up and had a drink. He didn't want to talk anymore. Joey lay down, letting the water wet his white paws. He looked close at his markings, thinking of the white socks that should have been black. His coat was a golden bay, perfect for a autumn day. Not perfect for his personality.

[Fierfly]

Sahandra:

She knew she shouldn't have. She knew she really ought not to have done it, but she couldn't help it. She managed to suppress her first reaction until Joey went back to examining his coat, but finally she couldn't take it anymore. She giggled. Drat her giggle, it was childish and almost teasing, it really wasn't very nice to tease Joey but she couldn't help it. He was funny! His sarcasm wasn't very friendly but it was funny, to her at least.

Knowing she would have some explaining to do, she quickly tried to re-compose herself. "I'm sorry," she insisted between chuckles, "I really am but-" she broke off, choking on the little laughs that plagued her as she reflected again and again on his reply. Were brothers always so snarkily funny? She wasn't sure, but she enjoyed the idea.

[Deleted]

Ruffian:
Ruffian, like Sahandra, had did her best to surpress her giggles as Joey looked at himself. His initial outburst surprised her. Joey hardly ever talked. She decided to talk to him later about it but concentrated on the conversation.

Joey:
Joey sighed. He rolled over onto his side, and found it even more pleasant. He sighed again and closed his eyes. A soft breeze ruffled his fur, and Joey fell into a content sleep. In his dream, he was a little pup again. He was watching his brothers and sister run, how fast Ruffian was despite her youth. Seabiscuit was fast as there older brothers, including Lath. And Lath was one of the fastest of them all. Dream Joey got up and walked away, crying. He would never be as fast as any of them.

[Fierfly]

Sahandra:

Joey's ability to ignore their joined outburst of giggles was even funnier and Sahandra fell down giggling. In a desperate attempt to stop the giggles she put her head on the ground and covered her muzzle with her paws. "I'm sorry," she gasped at last, "I really am," she risked a glance at Joey dozing peacefully and she chocked to keep herself in check. "Alright, that's it, I'm done, I promise." she cleared her throat to regain control. "Is your older brother usually so sarcastic?" Sahandra had never really called any wolf her brother and reflected on how lucky Ruffian was. She certainly never had a dull moment with Joey, even if he was a bit quiet and snarky when he did talk.

[Deleted]

Ruffian:
"No, he normally doesn't talk. He was always the slow one in our family." Ruffian said, snorting as quietly as she could when Joey rolled over. "He looks vaugly like one of my older brothers, Lath. Just Lath is taller, less buff, and holds his head funny. He also doesn't have four white paws." Ruffian remarked. She more resembled her older brother, Bold Ruler. It didn't really matter, until she saw the coats of the Valley wolves. Then she seemed plain as the night sky. That wasn't a bad thing, just it'd be cool to have those swirls and crazy colors.

Joey:
Joey's dream changed. He was running as fast as he could, and something was chasing him. Whatever it was it was scary, because he was running, not fighting. He stumbled, but kept running. Joey woke up suddenly, and found he was beating up grass because his legs had been thrashing. At least I didn't sleepwalk.

[Fierfly]

Sahandra:

She nodded when it was appropriate and had to smile hearing at how quiet he typically was. She'd been told she ought to be quieter, that she was too chatty, it didn't much concern her how much she talked, it was what she tried to say and what others tried to say. "Quiet, slower, it really doesn't matter. It's who you are inside and what you stand for outside that matters. Take it from someone who's learned from personal experience." her expression sobered for a moment as she reflected on her past, all she'd been told and denied- but it was in the past, it was time to move on from it and look to the future. "So, are you headed anywhere in particular?"

[Deleted]

Ruffian:
"No, just trying to find my brothers. We think they came here, but I don't think they are here. Not anymore. I think I'll be staying, though. It seems fun here." Ruffian said, her brown eyes glittered in the sun. She looked at Joey, and pawed his flank. "Wake up Joey, you look a bit stupid." she said dully.

Joey:
He growled when Ruffian pawed him, and got to his feet. He looked impressive, more so then Ruffian standing up, not really moving. He was big, and looked like he was a real Valley wolf, with a black tail and small dapples on his golden bay base coat. Joey never saw himself like the wolf he was. He sat, faking that he wasn't listening.