Quiet Quester {Open}

[Rykett]

Mysti trotted into the copse, scanning the group of trees for her alphess. Piala wasn't in sight but Mysti didn't loose hope. She had to be somewhere around here. But this was a huge territory. Piala could be anywhere. The copse was as good a place as any to start looking for the alphess. Plus, Mysti reasoned, This place is the center of the territory. If I were to find her anywhere, it would probably be here.

"Alphess Piala," Mysti called, though her voice had the volume of a whisper. She cleared her throat and tried again, "Alphess Piala?" Her voice was louder but not much more than her regular tones. One more time... "Alphess Piala!" Finally her voice could resound slightly through the copse. The edges of Mysti's mouth twitched in the hint of a smile. She'd never spoken that loud since... Mysti could remember. She continued her walk through the copse, still searching for her Alphess and every now and then calling out Piala's name. Her volume decreased every time she spoke.

As Mysti padded through the trees, she spotted her den. It was a cozy place, perfect for one wolf, but tight for two. The small hollow beneath that tree had been so filled with Mysti's despair in the last month or two. Mysti wondered how salty the ground in that den was. She hoped not to sleep in that den or any other den here again without Savu... her Savu, who was lost to her. Now Mysti had a new purpose; to find him however long it took.

(forte)

[Rykett]

Piala was not to be found. Mysti had searched the whole of the copse. If Piala was out roaming the territory, Mysti was sure that she would never find her. She better leave some sort of message telling where she went and that she planned to return. Mysti found herself standing outside her den. She poked her head into the familiar hole. Her sky blue eyes were drawn to the damp, dirt ground. Wasn't there some runes that her mother had once taught her? A memory edged into Mysti's mind. There she was, sitting attentively in front of her silver-coated mother. Kinya was her name. Mother described that many generations ago, the runes had been created a time of war. They had been used to leave messages for ally wolves. Though nearly never used now, they were worth learning. Kinya had patiently explained how the runes worked and which rune meant what.

Mysti delved deep into her memories, trying to recall the knowledge that her mother had drilled into her head. Carefully she traced the runes with her claws. 'Leaving. Search for my love. Return winter.' It was short, only a couple runes long, but it said what Mysti needed it to say. Now she just had to hope that her alphess could read them. As the breeze of Autumn blew through Mysti's fur, she left the copse. She only had one season to find Savu. One season to reunite with him. Winter was her deadline for two reasons. Mysti wasn't sure if her hunting abilities could feed her or instead if she would starve. Mysti didn't want that feeling of complete emptiness and hopelessness again. She been on the brink of that exact feeling several times during the last seasons, but she'd always been able to catch something to tide over the hunger. The other reason was her message. She needed to give some sort of indication of the time of her return to Eternal Snowfall. But the concept of starvation was the most important reason. Then she came to the border. Mysti took a deep breath and stepped out of the territory. Her quest had begun.
-Exit Mysti-

[Deleted]

Calypso trotted into the copse. The ground was layered in white snow, though its brilliance was marred by ugly muddy paw-prints. The pale blue shewolf didnt mind, the main reason was that the wolf who made them was herself. She was looking behind her wishing her paws would float. But as she turned back around all her hopes and dreams re-directed themselves.....at Striken. He was so handsome, that deep stormy grey with a smoothed bolt of lightning curled around his well toned body. He was amazing.

Calypso smiled at the though of being his pack mate. Her mother had always said that a pack was where you find your soul mate. Secretly, Calypso wanted it to be Striken. Deep inside Calypso thought something. It was absurd really. This is that thought: my feelings might not be secret for much longer.

[Rykett]

Striken:

Striken looked around the copse. So this would be his new home. Her scent was here. Mysti had definitely been here, though nothing was fresh. Striken found the scent to be strongest within a certain den. A small but cozy den was the location where Mysti's scent lingered. Striken inspected the area. Perfect for one. The ground was gouged with claws marks from the use. But... they made a pattern. A pattern that Striken recognized. His breath escaped in a quiet gasp as he read the message. He looked at Calypso, who was also looking around the copse. He had to tell her everything. He couldn't let her misunderstand like Savu had with Striken had found Mysti the first time. He pulled himself out of Mysti's burrow.

"Calypso, could I talk to you?" Striken suddenly felt very nervous about speaking. How could he explain in a way that didn't seem like he was leaving? He had no intention of leaving. Mysti had said in her message that she would return in winter. Well, here it was winter. Striken decided he'd give her until Spring to show up before he left to look for her. Until then, he'd stay with Calypso. "I've been looking for someone... um... my sister. She was here, but now she's not... I'm worried something's happened to her. She's not exactly the best at surviving so... I'm going to keep looking for her, but I won't go anywhere until Spring." Striken watched Calypso's expression. How would she react? Had he been keeping a secret? Sort of... Would she be upset? Maybe... well probably.

[Deleted]

Calypso sucked in a deep breath of cold, sharp winter air. It scraped at her nose. Though when she exhaled it was warm and wet. But as she inhaled she caught a scent. It smelled very much like Striken, though it had a fresh, feminine tinge. Because if this fact she assumed he had a relative here. When Striken came and told her he was looking for his sister it all made sense. But then his next words fell out, her heart quickened and a flash if fear and worry danced across her exotic eyes. But that worry was washed away as he said that he wouldn't leave until spring.

"Well, I could akways help you find her...." Calypso mumbled, her face got with embarrassment. She was searching for any reason to stay by his side. The composed shewolf had no idea what had sparked this newfound obsession, but she wouldn't didnt it. She wouldn't tell him unless he asked. That is she wouldn't tell him that she liked-no- loved him.

[Rykett]

Striken:

Striken smiled with relief. Calypso didn't seem mad or anything. She accepted his explanation AND offered to help him find her. What a kind she-wolf! Kind and beautiful... "Thanks, but I just hope that Mysti comes back before then. For now we should settle in." Striken looked around the copse. There were many unused dens. Some were collapsed, others were only half-dug, the rest were perfectly usable. Striken walked over to a nearby den. As he passed Calypso his tail brushed her shoulder. He tried to ignore the thrill that came with the touch.

His dark gray muzzle poked into the den. It was a large den. Many wolves would fit inside. Much to big for one male and... Striken shook his head and pulled it out of the den. It might be nice to have that much room, but he'd let one of the families use it. Striken left to examine a different den.

[Deleted]

((What's happening inside calypso when Striken touched her: fireworks exploding and a bunch if calypso clones doing river dance and a bunch if roller coasters flipping the riders in loop-de-loops))

Calypso shivered in delight at his touch. "We could den together to keep warm..." Calypso tossed the idea out into the girls, trying to keep her normally elegant, refined voice steady. what is WRONG with you! Focus! she commanded herself internally before padding onwards. The pale blue shewolf nosed around a den opposite of Striken. It was only half dug and extremely shallow.

Calypso mived on to the next one. Too deep and dark. Next. Too soggy. Next one. Too cramped for pups. wait! PUPS?' until them she hasn't realized just how much she liked Striken. She hasn't known she was that confident in winning his affections. Only once her raving heart slowed back to its usual pace did she realize that a small squeak had escaped her mouth. Calypso quickly covered it in a fake cough and continued in self-cinciously.

[Rykett]

Striken:

Together... Though he was suddenly tempted, Striken dismissed the idea with a small shake of his head. He followed Calypso as she examined the other dens. He peered over her shoulder into the latest one. "This one looks perfect! You can take it and I'll snoop around for another good one nearby." Striken turned to leave but heard her cough and glanced back worriedly. He thought of her coughing as they approached the border.

"Are you okay? You've been coughing, lately..." His amber eyes were anxious as they searched her face for something worrying.

[Deleted]

Calypso felt her face heat up as he dismissed her suggestion. It was true, being a make and s female, during winter, something might happen. It would be best to sleep seperate from eachother. Suddenly she wished she would blush more often as her whole body was flooded with the embarrassed warmth. The pale blue shewolf decided to act like nothing happened and approached the den that Striken had nosed around in. "I-I'm fine." She left it at that. Yes, she might she getting a small winters flu, but she didnt want him to worry. It really wasn't much, besides that last cough wasn't even real.

"It's very nice, thank you." Calypso was practical she wouldn't surpass a good den. "Though if you need any help diung touch ups on your den, I dont mind getting my paws dirty." She chuckled softly in an attempt to lighten the mood. But all hopes of that were dashed as Calypso broke into a rough bout of scraping coughs. After they subsided she quickly added: "Im fine, really." She smiled weakly knowing he wouldn't take the lie.

[Rykett]

Striken:

Striken was skeptical as Calypso reassured him that she was 'fine.' At the offer to help, Striken nodded, "First, I'll have to find one, though." He smiled at her then she started coughing. The smile disappeared as Striken's fears were confirmed. She tried to dismiss the coughing, but Striken said, "No, your not. That wasn't just coughing from flu, it was too deep. It sounded bad enough that maybe you should go to White Magic."

His concerned gaze met her lime green eyes. He took a couple steps closer, brushing her with a gentle nuzzle. A gentle nuzzle... Striken guessed he had some affection beyond friendship. He wondered whether it would grow and how much, if it did. But he couldn't think over such things. Right now, he had to help Calypso.

[Deleted]

"Striken...I-" She knew it was hopeless to refuse him again. Besides, maybe he was right. "Fine, if it gets worse or isn't gone by spring I will see her." the pale blue shewolf compromised with him. She was grudging about being wrong, but she would have to get used to the idea that she wasn't always right.

"But first lets get you a den." She said. She was going to say more, but Striken nuzzled her. At frost she was surprised but then she nuzzled his cheek back. "Right, let's get to it." She yipped shirtly, a little too ainxiously.

[Rykett]

Striken:

Relieved, he padded to inspect the other dens. At least Calypso had agreed to visit White Magic, he wouldn't pressure her to go now. He stuck his head in a den. It looked okay. Not too small or too big. It would fit two wolves comfortably, and would give Striken space to stretch since he was alone... well not so alone anymore. "Search over, this one looks great!" Striken turned back to Calypso. "You should rest back in your den, while I find some bedding. Is that okay with you?"

As he trotted away to forage, Striken suddenly realized that Calypso had nuzzled him back. A smile tugged at his mouth as he pawed around. Something special was growing between them. Something Striken had never experienced. It was different than the brotherly love he felt for Mysti. This was deeper.

[Deleted]

"Great! Is it big enough?" Cakypsi asked but soon realized it was as she stooped down and peeked inside. At his proposal to get her bedding, She protested. "Fine, but im getting yours." She huffed with determination and shot him an impish grin before leaping towards a bulging patch of snow.

Her slim pale blue paws poked into the snow and shoveled away the icy powder. Underneath the snow was a pile of leaves. Ceremoniously Calypso perked back the decaying soggy ones to reveal the dry ones. The leaves were mostly brown but there was some orange as well. The shewolf proceeded to make a pile if leaves for bedding when she came upon a mouse neat. She pounced quickly on the large mouse and she felt its spine snap under her paw. "There bedding and a meal. Just. For. You. No refusing!" Cslypso barked happily.

[Rykett]

Striken:

Usually, Striken would've tried to convince Calypso to just rest like he did with Mysti, but he could hear her determination. He had to keep reminding himself that this was Mysti. Calypso could take care of herself. Striken pawed away snow, shoveling it easily with his large paws. The grass beneath was mostly moist but intertwined with the moist grass was dry, dead grass. It seemed perfect for a bit of bedding. He clawed the dry grass up and gathered it in a pile.

He trotted back towards their two dens. Calypso pounced on a mouse. Striken smiled at her as she barked. Then he responded, "I won't refuse if you take half." He spread the grass he'd gathered around Calypso's den and trotted back out to the pale blue wolf.

[Deleted]

Calypso was appalled, her jaw hanging open slightly, one brow raised, her lime green eyes skeptical. "I don't think so! You are going to eat all of it even if I have to shove it down your throat with my paw!" The shewolf huffed indignantly, grabbed the mouse in her jaws and tossed Striken the fresh mouse with a flick of her muzzle.

The shewolf shook her hindquarters sassily and gathered up her leaves and spread them in front if Striken's den. She then bounded over to her own den to begin re-modeling.