Moonlit Mannerisms <open>

[Akes]

Manu had entered the valley yesterday, the unforgiving heat on the dry slopes had driven him to take shelters in some strange caves that pock-marked the side of the mountain. The grey blue wolf had slept the day away in the cool darkness of the cavern, hidden away from prying eyes and the intense sun. Manu now was on the move, the half moon above shedding an ashy glow on the barrens.

The night itself was cool, the sheer humidity of summer draping low on the valley in the form of a ghostly fog. It clung to the grasslands and shrouded the lake, as well as hugging the sequoias with its misty fingers. Manu was on a mission, to find a suitable home for himself. Whether that be with a pack, a traveling band of brothers, or -preferably- alone and well off.

Regrettably, the fog was obscuring his vision, preventing his gaze from surveying the land below. So instead, the young wolf decided to see what the barrens had to offer. It was true, they were quite barren. Though the summer season offered a bit more vegetation. The brush was vibrant in chalky hues of olive and silver, while the grasses all about had were set in the pale straw color of the sand surrounding it. Manu was sure that more life would crop up during the day, and the certain hues would end up quite more brilliant than they were now; a muted silver sheen dulling everything.

As Manu walked, a blue tailed lizard scuttled past his paw, making him jump, guard hairs bristling. The yellow eyed male swung his head to and fro, making sure no one witnessed his moment of surprise and fright. Any wolf would be on edge in an unfamiliar land!

[tovaana]

Makani;

Makani kept having nightmares. Mostly of Geist finding ways to kill him with ice or the cold. She was everywhere, and she couldn’t rid himself of her and her haunting gaze and voice…and power. He knew if he had a right mind, he’d have to have something really good to impress the dark goddess, and as of yet, he had nothing. It was summer, he knew Keahi would have gone up to see the goddess for something like fire. Perhaps Makani should have gone, just so he could see Keahi’s confident face crushed by the goddess. He highly doubted that his brother had acquired what he could not.

His soft blues and purples glowed in the misty moonlight, and almost appeared ghostly with his light colors. He imagined that Geist would look like a ghost, and shuddered with a grumble as he stalked through the barrens. By the gods, could he not rid himself of this place? Makani swore to himself by day he would leave and find prey elsewhere. Where did the weak gather? He guessed not in dry dessert land like the barrens.

A sound of quick movement echoed lightly over the barrens toward him, signs of another. Makani paused, curious, but not sure if he was so curious to approach. Naturally Makani did not prefer the company of others, but if by chance it was a lost weak soul he could quickly destroy, it was worth the chance and pain of light conversation.

“Hello.” Makani’s voice was cool and bland, almost bored sounding. His voice reached out to the silhouetted figure in the mist that grew clearer as he approached.

[Akes]

In his search for unwelcome eyes, Manu found a pair. This wolf spoke now, offering a ”hello” to the darkness. Manu stayed silent, lips pursed. He hadn’t come for company, but perhaps...perhaps he could gain something from this encounter. A map of the area or perhaps an idea if the locals. ”I’m here,” He called out, taking two steps forward as the stranger came into view. The young wolf eyed up the larger brute, unsure how to proceed.

The valley wolf was of lighter hues, a male, considerably larger than he. Manu observed the stranger, sizing him up. He didn’t want a fight of course, there was no way he could win. But if it came to that Manu wanted to be prepared. It wasn’t that Manu was a terrible fighter, no he considered himself quite able bodied. He had beaten Rose a couple of times! That huge shepup was utterly ridiculous. She lacked all tact and strategy, simply using her overwhelming strength and mass to crush him. But she was vulnerable, every wolf was in some way. ”Stranger,” He dipped his head in greeting, owl eyes never leaving the wolf. Friend or Foe, preferably neither.

[tovaana]

Makani;

Makani paused, his paws resting at a stop on the cool barrens floor. He looked over the wolf skeptically and cleared his throat.

“Obviously.” His cool dry tone almost drawled, as it was both obvious that the male was there and that he was a stranger. Makani did not dip his head in return, but looked on coldly, scrutinizing every aspect of the other. He hated conversation; he felt it was a waste of breath. Maybe he should just attack and see what the male’s reaction would be? It seemed the easiest course to find out what kind of wolf he was. It also sounded like a lot of work, and he did not want to get into useless fights. Besides, what if this wolf had a power? It was dark and he couldn’t tell if this male had one of the tattoos gifted from one of the goddesses.

“What are you doing about this ghastly place?” He asked, trying not to sound as bored as he felt. He clenched his sharp angled jaw and looked at the male through narrowed eyes. It was unfortunate that most wolves would have to pass through the barrens in order to reach the goddesses…Almost ironic that its energy pulled wolves through it to get up the mountain.

[Akes]

This wolf wasn’t in any mood to make friends. That made two of them. Manu twitched his nose slightly, eyes lidded and blank, unimpressed. This stranger was cold and didn’t seem to want company. He had been the one to offer a “hello” to him in the darkness of the barrens. Perhaps he was not the wolf he had wanted to run into.

The stranger proceeded to speak, asking him what he was doing in the barrens. ”I could ask you the same thing,” The young wolf returned the strangers stony attitude with a bit of lip of his own. So far this encounter was profiting him nothing. If he was going to keep being a bore and a waste of his attention, he would simply depart and continue his search.

Rose couldn’t be doing much better than he was. Her overwhelming naïveté and demanding attitude surely couldn’t profit her in a conversation. Tch. Rose.

tovaana

[tovaana]

Makani;

“You could…” Obviously. He almost rolled his eyes, but only clenched his teeth, his jaw muscles flexed as they tensed.

His tail flicked behind him in a cat like manner, a quick wag of fake friendliness. A sick smile slid onto his maw, a soft chuckle escaped his dry throat.

“Right then…” He cleared his throat. “I just came down from the great goddess Geist, lived to tell the tale – and now on a quest to kill someone, probably my brother – or whoever conveniently passes my path.” It was the most he had spoken in a long time, especially with another wolf. He was a creature of few words, but his stubbornness and hate was stronger than his chilly silence.

He started to walk slowly and purposefully in a circular around the wolf, who would either start walking in the same circle or stay as Makani circled him.

“Now, may I ask you – what you are doing in such a horribly desolate place like this? Or do I get to rip the answer from your throat?” His tone was chilly, but light – faking a kindness, as his words had obviously held the threat.

[Akes]

Again, he replied with a slightly annoyed tone. Manu frowned, he didn’t consider himself annoying or obvious. The young male felt his blue and black fur prickling, his ruff beginning to stand up on end like a miniature forest. The stranger offered a rushed wag of his tail, an odd display considering how the conversation was developing. Especially odd with how he chose to continue it.

What he said next was hardly less than a threat. He had returned from the cave of Geist, a goddess? He had never heard of her...perhaps she was the leader of some murderous cult. Murder...this wolf was supposedly sent to kill someone...anyone really. Preferably his brother. Manu would be a liar if he said he wasn’t afraid. He had only just left home to strike out on his own, and already he was being confronted with death.
He had known that life wasn’t easy, in fact life was a death sentence. But...he wasn’t done yet!

The stranger began to circle him, a predatory glint in his eyes. This want good, not good at all. He was like a vulture circling before a feast, a mere buzzard waiting to devour a rotting corpse. A rippling snarl rumbled quietly in Manu’s throat, a glimpse of his sharp white teeth below an arched lip. The young wolf turned with his adversary, for he was no longer unlabeled. This make had made his intentions clear, Manu had passed judgement. He was not a friend, but a foe.

He walked with stiff legs, locking his joints for fear of showing how bad he was shaking. This was terrifying. ”Just passing through,” He soar with a growl, not wanting to risk his thrust any more than it already was.

[tovaana]

Makani;

“Oh, please.”

Makani did roll his eyes now. How come when his brother spoke, it sparked conversation – but his words did not? Instead he froze it, choked conversation, even when he tried. Usually the lack of conversation did not bother Makani, but now when he wanted it, there was none. He started laughing, it was a cold and unpracticed sound – like an ancient cave coughing up bats and dust for sitting untouched for so long. Makani did not laugh, but here he was, making some sort of amused cackling noise.

“You should see your face.” The first part of the sentence was almost airy and light, then spat the word ‘face’ and growled. The wolf in front of him had white streaks under his eyes that glowed in the ambient light. It was hard to see his expressions, but he did notice the robotic movements and recognized fear… He had actually stricken fear in this wolf. Usually the only emotion he struck in others was annoyance (usually from his brother) and wariness from his cool silence. Huh, perhaps there was something to say about the weapon of words.

His growl turned into a hum. “Perhaps… we got off on the wrong paw.” He mused in a chilly tone. He needed to find out the alliance of the wolf, whether good, neutral, or evil. It had been one of his goals in striking conversation.

“My name is Makani. And I don’t intend to kill you.” Yet.

[Akes]

Manu lowered his head, not a submissive display, but a wary one. He kept his owlish gaze locked into this reptilian wolf. He rolled his dead eyes and started hacking. Or...was that laughter? His dry lips were pulled tight across his teeth in a thorny display of humor.

Manu’s alert ears swiveled backwards in self aware embarrassment as the stranger made a jab at his expression. Juvenile shame shifted to stubborn anger. He hated feeling so vulnerable and afraid, it was awful! Manu whirled about in order to keep the threat in his sight, his thick tail raised ever so slightly.

”Wrong paw?” He nearly whispered his response. ”It seems all you have is wrong paws,” Manu commented venomously. He then introduced himself. The threat had a name. Makani. And he didn’t intend to kill him. Great, that sounded sincere.
”Wonderful, then you won’t mind be vacating the premises.” The young blue and black wolf snapped, eager to leave this horrid place. He began to skirt around Makani, pelt bristling as he kept his gaze on him.

He sure hoped not every wolf in the valley was so inarticulate and garish in personality. Makani better not set the standard.

[tovaana]

Makani;

How rude.

He almost glanced down at his paws in confusion. Almost.

What had he really done wrong? A growl here and there – he hadn’t really meant his threats (not...really), but they sure had brought out defensiveness from the wolf. Now that they had danced more in a circle, the reflecting moonlight caught more of the male’s youthful characteristics. He was young, perhaps with little experience.

“Now, now, running at the first sign of danger are we? And you don’t even know if it’s a real threat.” He growled, slightly irritated how this whole thing was spiraling, and it wasn’t in Makani’s nature to calm down and look at things rationally. That was more… Keahi flavored response.

“You won’t get too far with that kind of attitude.” Makani was done trying to be pleasant (which may be laughable, but whether they were good or bad attempts, they had been attempts nonetheless). His blunt words hit the air and he let the wolf make the skirting movement to leave their circular dance. He watched him cooly, wondering if the male was really going to leave.

[Akes]

The blue and black wolf kept his eye on his enemy, keying in on his irritation and lack of social skills. With a slight snarl and a roll of his eyes he turned to walk away. At Makani’s next comment he snorted. ”A wolf who runs towards danger is either putting on a show or has a death wish. Unfortunately for you, I do not have a death wish, and tend not to give performances.”

This wolf was obviously losing what little control he had over himself, his nervous chuckled and unstable growls was evidence enough. Manu wouldn’t survive a fight against a larger wolf...Rose had proven that. Besides, this conversation was a waste of time, Makani had offered nothing to the interaction.
”I’m not getting any farther by sticking around here,” He grunted, eager to leave the frightening confrontation. Getting out of here would keep him alive, and that was obviously farther than the dead end of death that the barrens would lead to.

”Unless you have anything useful or intelligent to say, this conversation is over.” Manu began padding off, down the mountain.

(Sorry I took so long!)

[tovaana]

Makani;

For the first time in a long time, Makani missed Keahi. It was an odd feeling and he almost regretted thinking about killing his brother – almost. It was a fleeting feeling though and as soon as it had surfaced, it vanished…Almost like he didn’t have anywhere for the feeling to land, slipping through his holey heart.

“Well, you haven’t been all that helpful either.” He grunted, watching the male foolishly turn tail and start to walk away. He had not been able to determine what alliance the male was. There was no use in killing someone if he were to return to Geist with a folly-completed mission. He had already been shamed in front of his brother; he did not want to be duped again. Otherwise, if he had known the male’s alliance as good or neutral, he would have jumped the fool who had turned so recklessly.

He stood there, watching the male fade from view. Huffing a little, he turned and walked the other way through the morning fog, realizing he would need a better plan… Perhaps he should just attack the next soul he came across, despite the alliance.

-exit Makani-

ooc//no worries!(: sorry he’s such a grump, we can definitely do a different thread with a less grumpier option xD bahaha