Crocodiles in the Mountains {Aspen}

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Kodiak walked along the semi-slush of the river,dragging a fairly large ram head with him. He was lucky to get this far and surprised that no other predator or wolf had approached him, but he made it. He only stopped one or two times to collect a drink and clear the skull of as much flesh and fur as he could. Now in addition to the blood that clinged onto the bones was the staining colors of the clay deposit. Resting it on a stone, Kodiak used his paws to mix the blood and nutrient water together even further so that he could paint the other half of the skull with lines, curves, and circles of a violet-red color.

It was near perfect.A masterpiece even. But it was missing something. The fur of his now thickened, full lion's mane was scratched out in furball clumps and onto the long nose of the creature. Held on by a stripe of clay, the skull was hardly noticeable. It was a monstrous totem, suited for a monster like himself. He was proud of his work, but where would be put it? Kodiak had been nomadic all through the fall and the den he had stored his other "artworks" was now inhabited by a bear. While Kodiak was fairly crazy, he wasn't that crazy. A bear can crush him under its paws any day.

He wasn't too worried about freezing. His coat almost insured that wasn't a possibility. Food was never too scarce for him, being so massive he has more of a variety of things to hunt, even when on his own. Especially since he wasn't afraid to go out there and get hurt before and after learning about the White Wolf's healing abilities.

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Aspen

Things still hadn't quite settled down in the packlands yet and I felt that I needed to get out on my own for awhile. My black and white fur was keeping me warm but the wind was starting to pick up and was chilling me to the bone. I needed to stop somewhere and rest for awhile before heading back home. It seemed I had wandered into The Heathlands but I wasn't exactly sure where I was...although it seemed abandoned. I did end up smelling a familiar scent though, and I walked towards it.

I came upon a familiar face and realized it belonged to Kodiak, the wolf I'd almost hunted with. It seemed he had been successful taking down a ram and he had made a trophy out of its skull. I had to admit I was quite impressed but I was also impressed by the way Kodiak looked. He was large, muscular and had grown quite the winter coat. I smiled wryly and pranced over to him and barked loudly to alert him I was there. "It seems you didn't need any help from little old me." I said with a giggle. "You took down that monstrous beast all on your own." I smirked at Kodiak, happy to continue our conversation from before.

Black Striped

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Marveling at his work, Kodiak ignored the scent of another wolf approaching. From how things had been all winter, he was almost sure that they would go on their way. The only wolf who had talked to him since the frost hit the ground was wolves with the security of numbers and the White Wolves when he went for healing. He hadn't done anything too wrong yet, so he still had that privilege.

The bark made him realise they were intent on talking to him, and he reluctantly parted with his treasure to see a familiar she-wolf from warmer times, freezing her poor little tail off. He chuckled at the thought that it had been a while since he had a wolfcicle, but pushed it aside and responded. "Oh, this is the final result you are seeing. It took most of the summer, a broken rib, and a splintered collarbone before I got the hang of it by myself. You would think we would have the advantage on even terrain." Kodiak rose, stalking forward languidly. "How is the pack life treating you? A little spoiled on shared body heat?"


@aspen

{*Realizing she forgot to inform you* I am so gomen *bows*}

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Aspen

I was glad that Kodiak wasn't acting hostile because my experience with loners in the winter usually leaned more on the negative side. He seemed enthralled by his work with the ram skull but such a prize was not easily won so I could understand the sentiment. I laughed lightly when the massive wolf told me what it took to bring down an animal of equal size. "Well you took quite a beating to get what you wanted." I said pacing forward lazily to meet Kodiak halfway. "I admire a wolf with determination." I cocked my head at Kodiak and observed him with just one of my emerald eyes.

"Pack life is pack life." I said simply. There was, of course, more to it than that but Ilana didn't take kindly to her subordinates talking about pack matters with outsiders so I decided to hold back that information...at least for the time being. "You could say that I am spoiled because I'm quite cold at the moment. Perhaps you could keep me warm?" I blinked innocently and smiled at Kodiak.

Black Striped

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A right. Aspen was the flirtatious one, wasn't she? He found it...humorous. Not too many she-wolves are both delicate and bold. It usually was an alpha-omega split with girls. He didn't have so much vanity as to let his ego be inflated by her words. In his mind, all wolves, including himself, were very basic. This mindset kept his head on his shoulders in an odd way and also helped him eat his fellow wolves when needed to be.

He tilted his head to the side and gave the comment a bizarre smile. So her pack was a secretive, strict one then? How unfortunate. He almost felt that he was boasting his love of freedom and lack of authority to look to by thriving in the winter conditions.
"I wouldn't mind. I radiate so much heat my fur grew more layers just to keep it all together."

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Aspen

Kodiak's response was not the one I was expecting and he didn't take my bait. I wasn't too surprised, it was the middle of winter after all and it wasn't like Kodiak was in need of a partner to keep himself fed and safe. I only gave a small hmph before trotting over to the skull he had been decorating. "It certainly is beautiful...you're quite creative." I had never seen a wolf take such pride in creating something and I had to say I was impressed. "I'm glad to see you've fared well in the winter months. I had some pack business that I had to tend to but I didn't forget our last encounter. You're very fascinating which is why I came looking for you." I smiled at Kodiak and this time it was not a smile with secret intentions, I had meant what I said. I wondered what Kodiak thought of my interest in him.

Black Striped

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Aspen had hit him in his one true weakness; she had complimented his art. His excitement was like a puppy's; his paws began to shuffle and his tail wagged. "Why thank you. I like to think of them as immortal. Hopefully when the time comes and I physically fade into nothingness, it would be remembered by these totems that I was a powerful warrior and a passionate artist. That being said, I need to hunt a nice, large bison one day. Although he gave a cackle, it was not really a joke. Kodiak aspired to collect as many ferocious heads as he could. All marked with his fur and his paintings. He would have a hard time moving it to be put on proper display, but it would be worth it a hundred times over in the end.

"And you knew exactly where to find me didn't you?" He knew it was more by chance that they stumbled across each other again, but Kodiak was one to find meaning and reason in everything. "I wouldn't say fascinating. I'm just preoccupied with things that aren't the norm for wolves. What I find more fascinating is the concept of packs. A bunch of viscous hunters living together knowing good and well that the harshness and scarcity of resources in winter could tear them apart? Thats bold."

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Aspen

"Oh a bisoon you say?" I questioned, one eyebrow raised on my forehead. "It would be quite a feat to take down such an animal." I said "One would have to be incredibly strong and talented to accomplish the task." I continued, this time putting emphasis on the words strong and talented while also looking directly at the wolf before me. "However, if any wolf could do it, its definitely you Kodiak." I finished flashing my glittery smile at him once more.

I simply winked at the mention of my knowing he'd be here, after all we both knew it was a chance meeting, but his eyes conveyed something different. Perhaps we had met for a reason but what that reason could possibly be was lost on me. Instead I chose to respond to Kodiak's comment about packs. "You are mistaken Kodiak." my smile was still present but it had shrunk considerably. "A pack's togetherness is its strength, not its weakness. By joining a pack you are guaranteed survival for you can depend on others-not just yourself-to keep you alive." I stepped closer to him, my green eyes trained on his and full of curiosity. "Would you ever join a pack?" the question wasn't partiuclarly relevant but I enjoyed the soft timbre of Kodiak's voice and wanted him to continue talking.

Black Striped

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"You think too highly of me." Kodiak began to scratch at his mane. "I doubt I could do it alone."


"Oh?Am I? He started. He could listen to the words, but he couldn't quite understand them. Togetherness and dependence was something he never happened in his lifetime. He was weaned and abandoned along with his siblings. By the time he was two months, he was...alone, to say the least.

"I don't think I could ever join a pack really. I can't trust nor can I be trusted. It only takes one bad apple to ruin the batch, right? Kodiak snickered to lighten the mood, but he truly felt that way. He knew the life that was ahead of him. His strength and size would leave him one day and he would die significantly sooner than he would in a pack, but even evil likes order. It would be a waste of time to even try.