Blending In (joining thread)

[tovaana]

His heart was more full of excitement and it showed in every sure paw that struck the ground. Epicenter had traveled much of the magical lands that bowed to the great mountain where the White Wolves dwelled. He was satisfied so far with the amount of new information that he had gathered, and he was ready to take the next step in his great plan. While is was very unlikely that he would ever rule the world, it was possible to gain great influence and power… To have his name known around the valley, but not just his pack, but by all others – even loners! That dream, was very far off, perhaps a little ridiculous, but all the same, it drove Epicenter in his day-to-day activities. No one would be able to tell him otherwise.

The journey was long, but his traveling up the mountains and all traveling beforehand, had prepared him for the run to Secluded Sunrise. Amora would be there. As promised he would show up – would it surprise her? Had she believed him when he told her he would find her? A grin swept his maw, tongue lolling as she strode through a green pasture, and the sound of water drew nearer. It was the same water source that he had crossed before, but further down. As he approached it he didn’t stop or slow, but used the momentum to leap far into the waters.

The rush of cold water surrounded him quickly, but he bobbed to the surface almost immediately. While pushing himself through the water, he felt a warm tug at his foot – he had become familiar with the feet, an invitation to use his new gift because his surroundings had changed. He welcomed it – consciously pulling it at it with his mind and letting the feeling sweep through his whole body. While he could not see himself entirely, he noticed that his paws that he was treading through the water seemingly vanished- when in reality he had turned the gray blue color, constantly moving like the ripples in the water. All the fur on his body, his nose – even down to his nail and eyes had changed to meld with the river as he moved through it.

As he got closer to the shore he felt the familiar tug at his foot again and he welcomed it again. He had practiced it all the way down the mountain in the melting snow and against trees and grass. It was fascinating the way his body reacted to his surroundings and the more he practiced, the more detailed it got.

He did not grow tired of the greenery that passed under and around him, as he practiced melding into different spots. He found it was easier to be moving slowly or be in one place for his body to adjust accurately with his surroundings. Yet it amazed him how his fur shifted. It reminded him of the way Sheba’s eyes had no one color, yet his body was usually less colorful as it melded into its surroundings. Except for the flower covered meadows. He had enjoyed pausing here and lying in the midst of the blue, yellow and white petals and watching his fur mimic the shapes and colors. The more still he laid, letting the warmth rush over him, the more detailed the flowers on his back would become, even to the point of waving as if the breeze was pushing them.

It had taken him days and days to finally reach his destination, and he took a few days break before he went to the threshold. Epicenter wanted to be presentable after all. He found a small creek and washed the dust from traveling the best he could and dried out in the sun. He rested a couple of days to ease his sore muscles, also finding food so he would not come as a hungry beggar. While the male was eager to join and climb ranks, he knew patience and preparation were needed for such great endeavors, including hard work.

Epicenter stood at the invisible, but well marked line of the Secluded Sunrise territory. He could smell Amora’s faint scent as well mixed with numerous other residents. Tail swaying he lifted his green maw into the air, it contrasted against the blue sky. He ignored the tug at his foot – he did not need to impress with his ability quite yet. His voice rose into the air, a respectful announcement of his presence and invitation to join him. Once the call finished, he sat at attention, quietly waiting, secretly hoping that Amora had heard his voice and recognized it.

OOC// Sorry it’s so long, he had to come a long way xD

Rykett

[Rykett]

((It’s fine! Longer is better! It just makes my small post look teensy tiny, comparatively. XD))

Blaise:

The howl wasn’t that far from where Blaise stood. With a loping pace, her legs ate up the ground faster, taking her swiftly to the the wolf that requested her presence. A firm expression covered any of her emotions as she approached. The wolf awaiting Blaise's arrival came into view. He was on larger side, but had a slender physique.The alphess approached openly. She called a greeting as she neared the newcomer, "Hello, stranger. My name is Blaise, I am Alphess of Secluded Sunrise, the pack that resides within this territory. State your name and purpose here."

Her dark violet eyes watched him. She mentally reminded herself how fast Secluded Sunrise’s population was filling their territory. Blaise had to be more particular about who she accepted into her pack.

[tovaana]

The forest wolf did not have to wait long for the Alphess to approach him. Alphess, it always interested him when a wolfess lead a pack, instead of a male. Usually there was a back story of some sort, or admirable strength that kept her at the head. As the femme approached, he immediately recognized her as Amora’s mother. Had Amora not said, “my mother’s pack?” But he did not need to count on his memory to make this connection, for the charcoal billowy pelt and the marking on her back – obvious relation. Down to her slender muzzle that opened to speak to him, Amora was – her mother’s daughter in looks. He wondered if their personalities were as similar.

He tore his gaze away and dropped one knee and slid the other foot out a little into a bow of respect around the same time she announced her leadership over her territory. After requesting info from him, he rose back up, but still keeping his head lower than hers.

“Lady Blaise, I am Epicenter.” His voice was clear and formal. “My past pack dissipated and I have been in search of a pack that would be suitable for both the pack and a wolf as myself.” There had to be a mutual giving to the relationship of pack and wolf, and in Epicenter’s case, he was mostly thinking of himself, but knew how a pack was successful as well. There needed to be unity and needed to be sensitive to the needs of the pack members, while the pack worked together make the pack strong and fulfill its needs. Not all packs were this way, and not all packs were strong. Also, a strong leader.

“I can offer my strength, wisdom of being in the valley my whole life, hunting skills, leadership skills, and the strength of my new ability, a gift from Lady Sheba. While it is new, and weak for now, I do believe it comes with its advantages for your pack.” He said, his head lowering a little more, eyes focused on her paws for a moment. He finally accepted the tingling at his foot and welcomed the feeling to draw completely over him. His whole body warmed and he knew that he must look like his surroundings now – more detailed than that of his normal green and brown marking. Grass blades and part of a trunk – whatever it was around him.

[Rykett]

Blaise:

Blaise listened patiently to Epicenter’s petition. He was yet another wolf that wished to join Secluded Sunrise. He had knowledge of pack life, so would know how to act as a team and that the pack’s needs came before one’s own. In Blaise’s experience, wolves could be perfect qualified in terms of skill and ability, but be too used to acting as a loner. That caused problems, but Epicenter seemed to have no such flaw. He was a previous pack wolf with skills, and even a power. Powers, even when they were still at level 1, could be especially helpful. Blaise, herself, felt a power stirring within her. Sheba had refused to give it to her, but the power had come anyways. Blaise wasn’t exactly sure how that’d worked. Maybe she was meant to do something with it. She’d hadn’t dared to use it, yet, though. It was too dangerous. Chameleon, on the other paw, was a much safer power and Epicenter seemed to have a good grasp on how to use his power as proved by his display.

Epicenter almost seemed too good to be true. Blaise voiced her concerns, ”You seem the perfect member for this pack. Unfortunately, I have learned not to trust situations or wolves that seem too good to be true. Wolves tend to layer their lies thickly when they cover the truth. However, I also don’t wish to turn away a wolf that could prove to be genuine and be a strong, helpful figure in my pack. So, if you do not mind, I wish to assign you a companion who would make sure you have no hidden intentions. If you do mind, I suggest you find another pack. The trust of this pack must be earned.”

As she offered the compromise, Blaise’s mind was already skimming through her list of members, searching for a wolf that’d be suitable for this task. She planned to promote many and give most trainees, but there was one Blaise knew with a certainty she could trust and who she didn’t plan to give a trainee at the moment. Even if they’d had their rocky patches, Blaise still had confidence in Amora.

[tovaana]

With bowed head he listened to Blaise, and in respect of the Alphess he let the effect of his camouflage wear off and let his natural pine green and bark brown fur come back. His audits were perked in her direction, listening intently… And he did too well. Inwardly he sighed, but kept a steady demeanor, only listening. You could never please anyone, not really. He should not have been surprised either; they were neither good nor evil, something in between. There was lots of gray area to be questioned. It made him wonder how any neutral pack got along, where was the line to too good, justice, and darkness?

He looked up, a pleasant wolfy smile on his features as he regarded Blaise.

“I feel that is more than fair, and because of it I trust that this pack may be exactly what I have been looking for.”

The last part was the truth. Alphess Blaise was simply being protective of her pack and he admired her wit. Of course, she was assigning him a pup-sitter… That he was not too sure of but was confident that he could befriend the pack member. Hopefully the assignment wouldn’t last long, he’d have to prove himself somehow… He did not want the whole pack to become untrusting of him. If he made a friend of the companion, the pack could assume that they were just good friends, always together… Perhaps…. His mind whirring, assessing the situation, he rose his head a little, looking at the Alphess.

“I accept your conditions.”

[Rykett]

Blaise:

If he said no, Blaise wouldn’t lose any sleep over it. As potentially beneficial to the pack Epicenter might be, Blaise wasn’t about to endanger her pack over him. Besides, a no would also mean that Epicenter might not take orders that well, which was not a trait Blaise was eager to see in her wolves. Epicenter realized the need for her conditions. The extra requirement even seemed to strengthen Epicenter’s confidence in choosing to join Secluded Sunrise. Blaise allowed herself a smile, ”Welcome to Secluded Sunrise, then. There are dens in the Ashwood Grove. I’ll meet with you later to introduce you to your companion. I hope you do well here, Epicenter.”

With that, Blaise turned away from Secluded Sunrise’s newest member. Several long strides took her back into the thick undergrowth of the Sapling Grove territory. Blaise’s thoughts flicked to who would be a good watchdog for Epicenter. She needed someone she could depend on. Blaise’s initial instinct had been Amora, but Epsilon would be promoting her to a position that would probably demand her attention too much as she adjusted to it. There were several other wolves that would be suitable. Blaise would reflect on it further before making a decision.
-Exit Blaise-