It had been a few days since Aislin had seen Qanik, but she assumed that eventually the she-wolf would follow. Qanik and Aislin had so much in common that it would be disappointing if they ended up not being in the same pack, let alone friends, so Aislin hoped that she would at least arrive soon. Perhaps it was that Qanik needed to do a little more thinking before possibly joining a pack. It was hard to say. Aislin however needed to settle because she was quite bored of the wander lust. Ludicael was the only pack that she saw fit for herself due to the variety of wolves, and the lax structure, but the fact it was a structure nonetheless was all Aislin really needed. The black wolf with orange eyes made her way up the coast into what was known as the Lover's Mangrove and decided to look around for a while. Aislin could smell the borders and made it a point to not cross them. One had to keep to traditions now and then, when the traditions sometimes got boring. The scenery was full of salty air, trees with odd shaped leaves and trunks that stood tall, while their leaves covered every inch of the ground with sand underneath, and the air was warmer and a little dryer. To say the least, it was an environment that Aislin was not accustomed to, but it was one that she could adapt to.

Aislin sat down and breathed in deeply while she had her eyes closed. Though she didn't look like the type, especially for her lawful evil personality, Aislin did like to meditate. Meditation helped her to 'reground' in a sense when it came to balancing herself out, though it was a secret well deep within her soul. Opening her eyes once more, she looked upon the land with a new sense of opportunity before her, and Aislin decided to knock upon its door. Lifting her head so that her nose was pointed to the sky. Aislin let out a howl summoning for the leader of the pack that resided here, from what she heard was Jupiter, and only howled for roughly five seconds. There was no need to go any longer than that, as this was not a ceremonious event, but a traditional one. This traditional step would be passed down forevermore, and would never cease. Unless someone trespassed. And that pissed others off.

The whole attempt to join a pack reminded Aislin of the times she used to watch her father take new wolves in, but at a much more violent scale. The wolves would be fooled into thinking that her father was a kind and respectful wolf, but upon acceptance, the females would be raped, and the males bullied into submission, even the most stubborn and determined ones. Whether they were beaten over the course of days or weeks, their spirits were eventually broken. Some died from their determination, and others survived just to find the chance to run, or simply knowing that life was better not fighting your captors. Those that submitted found respectable treatment from her father, regardless of past regressions and soon they too became respectable wolves. Eventually, all wolves int he pack were convinced that the world was created by the Aspects and that every creature was modeled after such beings. To Aislin that was not something that she believed in and upon thinking it, she removed it from her mind immediately and focused on the task at hand. Aislin remembered the good times she had with her father and it pained her some. Emotions rose that she hadn't expected and she gad to gulp them down. Aislin would not be weak like her father was, and she deplored herself and for him for creating such a thing as her. Aislin decided that it was okay to feel sometimes, but not when it was regret or sadness over missing something so stupid. There were other secrets that explained Aislin's hatred of her father, whom she prayed for his death, but in the end she was in a whole new place and a whole new world, and it was not meant to be thought of right now.

With the wind blowing gently, and the trees whispering for her attention, the orange gaze of her eyes that originally was pained and angry now turned into concentration and focus gazed upward to the leaves as another heavy breath went in and out of her lungs, taking all negative energies and thoughts with it into the outside world where it would dissipate, and Aislin remembered why she was here. Aislin wished to become part of Jupiters pack and to make something different of herself. She was hoping today would be that day.
"797 words."

The alabaster princess strode effortlessly across the roots of the mangrove, having heard the summoning to the borders by an unknown wolf. Powerful, lithe muscles rippled a strong undertow beneath the river of her thick, luscious ivory pelt. Her broad paws struck the thick bark covering the roots without problem, and soon she reached the borders. The stranger was female, with an ebony pelt, and eyes of fire. How intriguing, not many wolves had eyes like that. She stepped from the shadows, appearing almost to fade from them like a ghost. A ghost she was, her face veiled in it's usual emotionless expression as her liquid mercury orbs took in the newcomer. Her feminine hips swayed sensually, her long banner sweeping across her tall heels like a fluffy pendulum, twin raven's feathers dancing erratically. Ebony lips would part to reveal formidable pearl razors, and out would flow her ethereal tones. "I am Aurora, Gravita of Ludicael. What business brings you to our borders?" She asked calmly, whisper quiet, silky tones only marred by her faint Russian accent. She showed no signs of aggression, instead holding her deceptively delicate cranium high, displaying her full height and power to the woman, simply to advertise that she was no mere weakling. From the shadows above, only if one looked could be spotted the icy rose's companion, if only by her glowing optics, currently a bright shade of green. The petite obsidian feline was perched on the branches of one of the many massive trees within the mangrove, watching, waiting. So too would the beautiful woman, her moonstone orbs resting upon the strange she wolf. Corvusi Speech Aurora Speech Others

The sun warmed her pelt and it was pleasant. The black fur was sucking in the energy of the sun and warming her body in a gentle kiss, and the wind was softly petting her fur and stroking the coolness and relief from the baking heat occasionally. In response, her breathing was more relaxed and soon, the fire colored eyes of hers gave in to closing and the ears relaxed her further by playing the sounds of the ocean over and over in her head. The soft roaring and whispering of the ocean was pleasantly hypnotizing and Aislin could feel all the worries slipping out of her body, down to her toes, and into the sand in a tingling fashion, so much so that her body almost felt numb. If Aislin continued on like this, it would not be surprising if she fell asleep sitting up. However, a noise caught her attention and her heavy eyes reluctantly opened upon command, and her attention was focused forward.

A reply came to her call, a snow white woman with golden optics and an ethereal voice, not afraid to show her strength with her stance, approached and greeted her accordingly at the borders, as per such the tradition of being accepted into a pack. The fire-eyed ghost approached closer as well as her voice was soft and Aislin was not accustomed to it. A short movement in her peripheral above revealed that the white goddess had a companion with her, a feline, with lime green optics that glowed. A smirk rose to her lips as she watched her carefully, before looking back down to respond to the princess. "I come to offer my servitude to the pack, if Jupiter sees fit." Aislins's black lips also parted to speak and revealed her own pearly whites, ever sharpened and perfect for jobs requiring stealth. Aislin lifted her head high, but not as high as the other wolf's head was. More or less it was to hide what strength she had, as well as be respectful, as she didn't need to know the true strength of her capabilities unless asked.

The smell of the sea water rose again, and in response, Aislin sneezed and silently cursed in response. The spy was still not used to the environment that she walked into, and it would be annoying if she would be sneezing all the time. The fire eyed woman cast her glance back onto the white ghost after it had been cast to the sand from the sneeze. "My name is Aislin D'Toula." Aislin introduced herself and gave a short bow afterwards. Aislin could have withheld her name, but for the sake of formalities, it was better not to. Besides - it was best to make a good impression regardless of the way Aislin felt that only the leader should know until she was accepted because of her skills, but it wouldn't matter much anyway.


Short flash backs of her fathers acceptance methods flashed every now and then in her head, and Aislin had to blink hard every time she wished to shut them out. It was a strange response to it, and would be noticeable, but Aislin would find a reasonable response to questions of it. Even if it meant lying. No one needed to know about her past, or the after effects, as she considered herself a ghost and one that was born of shadow, and not someone who abandoned their pack due to disagreements and for the betterment of ones self. It was just better that they didn't know to begin with.
"601 words."

Aurora

Her moonstone orbs missed nothing as she waited for a reply, especially not the onyx she wolf's fiery optics taking in her companion, who watched from above. She definitely was wise, taking in her surroundings as such. One could never be truly sure with packs, sometimes there was more than just wolves. This one seemed to take interest in the pack of Ludicael, seeking a home within it's lush borders. A nod of understanding was all she would offer, being the silent wolf she was. The alabaster maiden watched her with her silver optics, assessing this one calmly while she spoke. The first thing she noticed was that she offered a challenge to the giantess, holding herself high, and yet remaining respectful. This one could be interesting, the ivory dame would have to keep an eye on her if Jupiter allowed her into the ranks. When an introduction finally reached her sensitive ivory audits, she dipped her cranium in respectful greeting. "Well, while I cannot accept you into the pack, I can offer to answer any questions you may have about Ludicael whilst we await the Sol's arrival." She replied, seating herself calmly upon the sandy terra and wrapping her long banner around her broad paws. One would notice a pair of raven's feathers embedded in the thick, silky fur. Lifting a single paw, she gestured for the dame to ask whatever she may. Aurora knew much about this pack, and had been a part of it from the moment she arrived in Alacritia. Though she had only recently been promoted to Gravita, she was well learned about the pack. Replacing her large pedestal upon the earth, she watching the she wolf with depthless, consuming orbs of liquid mercury.

The female was quiet, kind, and yet a simple sort of secretive that if most got on her bad side, that her fighting spirit would come out. Aislin liked this, and it caused a smirk to lift to her lips. The fire eyed woman listened carefully as the ghost like sound of her voice slipped past her lips again in response to her announcement. Aislin nodded in response, and had at least one question in mind. "You take any wolf in, no matter their alignment. Why? What purpose do you see in them? Out of curiosity of course." Aislin had no need to explain her reasoning for her curiosity unless asked for it, and thus kept it simple. In honesty, the pack taking in anyone and everyone, and then being lax about it and the stuff they did outside the pack, was way out of norm and at the same time, intriguing.

In no way would Aislin's father react in the same way. Aislin came from a pack that was strict as a dictatorship, but murdered others if they didn't follow pack rules. "Better to kill the weak than starve the strong" was the main motto her father used. Aislins mother tended to encourage the weaker which helped, but eventually their fear got the best of them and they either died days later, or simply ran from the pack and got hunted down or somehow managed to escape, or died fighting. Aislin was glad those that could get away did in the least, secretly of course. However, due to her fathers influence, she had a little bit of him she wished she could get rid of. No point in worrying about that now. Perhaps a new change in a new structure would work those kinks out.

Another question sparked her mind. "How do you like it here?I heard Jupiter was lax a little bit as far as what you do outside the pack as long as you don't bring it back internally, so I often wonder how that affects the pack structure if such events were to occur internally, for example; a pack member mating with another pack member. How would she handle such a thing?"This might be a question for Jupiter to answer, but she figured if the white ghost could at least partially answer it to the best of her ability, that it would suffice. Aislin kept her tail wrapped around her toes protecting them and more or less warming them some. With the weather, the ground was often colder in different places than she was used to.
433 words.

Immediately a question would be spurned from the ebony dame's lips, and a smile would dance upon the lady's features. Her voice would be expelled from her ebony lips, ethereal tones filling the air. "Simply because everyone deserves a chance, and Ludicael is not a pack of goodie two shoes, entirely." She informed the newcomer, shrugging calmly, her gaze never truly leaving the fiery eyed woman before her. It was not very long before another question, followed by a long statement, would come to her sensitive ivory audits. "I myself like this pack very much, it is where I met my beloved." She said, smiling as she remembered that day. It took no time for Magnus to take a liking to her, and the two became quickly inseparable. She would continue easily, her whisper of a voice tinged with a faint Russian accent floating through the air to meet the dame's ears. "Well, most packs do not mind if you would take a mate outside the pack. Mating inside the pack is no different, in fact, it is easier. There is no worrying about what to do about pups, or the laws of the other pack." She explained, her voice lilting and weaving softly through the air. She beat her silky banner upon the floor once, an absentminded gesture that sent her raven feathers twirling erratically. "I shall call Jupiter for you, she can explain anything else you may need to know." She told the dame, smiling as she lifted her cranium to the skies and letting her voice escape, a long quavering howl with beautiful, intricate lyrics that were inscrutable to understand, but made one stop and listen nonetheless. When her voice faded, she lowered her cranium to fix her liquid mercury pools upon Aislin. Now, all they would do was wait.

She came swiftly and with a sure gait, a renewed energy in her steps that had not been there in a very long time. It was obvious that something had changed and that there was something significant that had injected the contagious bounce into her earthen-pawed step. The woman's bright pelt was visible through the matted mangroves as soon as she came within five or so yards of the duo, the fiery hues stark in contrast with the mangroves' pale pastels of green and alabaster. Wiry muscles rippled under her fur. Jupiter felt grand today.



Celestial eyes of brilliant lavender fell upon the two and she observed the night and day of her company's contrasting pelt, sweeping forward in an attempt to give a very light brush of greeting along Aurora's rightward side, a smile upturning her obsidian lips in an expression of contagious positivity. A chuckle bubbled, deep and low, from her larynx, setting the base for the lyrics that dripped afterward from her maw.



"Jupiter Illiadis, at your service," she crooned, tone strong but pleasant as the greeted the stranger upon their borders. After a moment, she stepped away from her Gravita and shook her head, lowering her dial ever-so-slightly. "My apologies, I didn't mean to interrupt." With bright eyes laden with brilliant curiosity, she turned her gaze back upon the obsidian-pelted woman before her, audits pressed forth to listen, waiting for anything and possibly everything to be said.

"speech"

Aurora answered her questions with sure-fire confidence and not a hint of hesitation. Aislin was pleased with this, and her explanations sufficed for the ebony tracker. Soon enough, Aurora let out a howl to summon for the alpha of the pack who resided in the mangrove, and Aislin patiently waited. Aislin was curious about the pack more now that it had been confirmed the pack wasn't too goody-two shoed. It all depended on the pack of course because words only went so far. Suddenly, an orange flash appeared between the mangrove trees and even with the air and openness of the forest, there was not a sound until the source of the flash came closer. A bright orange wolf With strange markings patrolled forward, obvious that she was the one Aurora called. Aislin gave a respectful nod, and listened to the voice the wolf had. The voice was pleasant to the audits and held the power the wolf acknowledged. Aislin shook her head in response to her statement. "Ah, so the prominent leader arrives. How pleasant. I am Aislin D'Toula, and I wish to seek a home here with your pack. Out of all others, yours has struck my fancy the most. Ask me what you will, and I shall answer it." Aislin gave a short bow, but kept her fire like gaze upon Jupiter, and offered a smile. Aislin wasn't one for kissing ass, but she was one for eloquated speech. It was just how she was from time to time, unless she was particularly annoyed.

"I have heard much in the way of your pack from many mouths, and ever more so from Aurora. She says you don't worry about laws with mates from other packs, though I do rise concern. What if the pack shows concern for your laws of such, and wishes for the breeding male or female to be dealt with?" Aislin was curious of this as most packs would require the breeding male to leave, or the birthing female to leave the pack once they came of age. Something about improper bloodlines, or along that nature. In either case, it was to keep the pack strong and not let filthy little things in the pack. Still, it made Aislin curious of the change in this pack, as the other packs were not similar in laws. It wasn't a deal breaker, but it solidified it more should Jupiter see fit for Aislin to join the pack.
413 words.

With her own form now stationary and patience simmering comfortably in her gut, Jupiter now took the opportunity to further examine her quarry, celestial optics scrutinized the lady through a series of inconspicuous brushes of her gaze over her medium-sized form. What captured Jupiter the most, however, was the woman's own eyes. They burned like the fire of the Sol's own pelt, blazing in stark contrast to the midnight of the woman's fur. She sought to hold them in her gaze and would do so for what was possibly too long, captivated by something so simple, shaken only from her odd trance by the fae's voice. A smile upturned the corners of her lips further as she averted her gaze, giving a returning nod to the respect delivering onto her.



"It is a joy, madame D'Toula," she responded smoothly, earth-rimmed audits pressing forth. "A pleasant surprise to be recognized above others," she mused affably. She was invited to make inquiries but paused to allow the other woman more time to speak. When she did so once more, Jupiter was attentive in every facet of her features until the moment she spoke--it was then that she shifted her stance, allowing her haunches to rest comfortably upon the earth.



"Other wolves must follow their own pack's rules; I don't encourage going against them but I won't separate a couple when the involved packs don't contest the bonding." She paused briefly to separate her words and collect a new set of scenarios to comment on along with them. "If the laws of another pack are broken and then I am brought with such concerns or needs, I hold the member of Ludicael similarly responsible for their actions."



Jupiter glanced briefly at Aurora, wondering if she had anything to interject with. Calculating eyes lingered on the woman for a few moments before sweeping back to Aislin. She would have to inform her Gravita--and the rest of her pack--of the new alliance soon. Oh, she couldn't wait for that shitstorm. All sarcasm aside, though, duty called and she knew that she'd have to make plans for such very soon.



OOC- Just wanted to get this post in while I'm brimming with muse, haha. Den, I'll wait for you to post before me on this next one, though.

"speech"

Qanik trotted along, stopping occasionally to sniff at the ground or the air for the scent she was following. She was by no means a tracker - in fact she had very little ability in it at all compared to most wolves. She was, however, still a wolf and the instinct was still there, so while the going was slow she was still able to follow the trail. When she'd parted ways with Aislin, it had been with the understanding that she'd be finding the darker wolf again to attempt to join this... Ludicael pack, but the finding part had proved a little difficult for the older wolf. She didn't know the area well enough to just travel there directly, either. The sound of Aislin's short howl caught her attention. Well, that would certainly cut down the time it would take. Qanik broke into a lope, making a bee-line for where she'd heard the howl from. Not long after, a second howl rose into the air, further cementing her theory that Aislin had moved along with her plan, and giving her a better idea of where to go. She broke through the trees to see a trio of wolves. Her eyes quickly took in the details - Aislin, as she'd thought; a silvery-eyed ivory female with raven feathers, of all things, embedded in her tail; and an imposing-looking female with a fiery pelt and odd markings. The unknown two must be Ludicael pack members. Qanik came to a stop quickly and immediately bowed her head in respect to the two Ludicael, hoping they wouldn't be startled by her unexpected appearance. She stole a look at the only one she actually knew. "Aislin," she rumbled in greeting. "Am I interrupting?" Though she had made the decision that she would join the pack, if they would have her, she was uncertain of her welcome in the conversation. Some packs seemed to get a bit twitchy about rogues showing up unannounced. Speech,

I don't mean to skip but since it's been a few days, I would like to keep this moving.

Jupiter answered the question with the answer Aislin was looking for. So everyone was held accountable if things got out of control. Good. That was all she needed to hear. Aislin smiled in satisfaction with the answer. As she was about to speak, a set of footsteps were audible and Aislin turned to see that it was Qanik who was coming through the clearing. "Ah. I almost forgot to mention that I had a companion. This is Qanik," Aislin introduced as she walked up. "She too is a rogue that wishes to join with me. I hope you forgive me for not mentioning it earlier." Aislin looked to Qanik as she spoke her name, and then asked if she was interrupting. "I don't think so. More or less, just doing introductions and I'm getting answers to questions I needed answered to clear any confusion. I think you are about right on time." Aislin looked to Jupiter to confirm that she wasn't interrupting at all.

Since meeting Qanik out in the rogue lands, Aislin had found a companion to at least talk to and share ideas with, which was much better than anything she's had recently. Plus, they had a few things in common about packlife and their past, that it seemed nice to be able to relate to something. Before Aislin was used to being silent and not socializing with anyone really. Now, things had begun too look up for Aislin, and possibly for Qanik it seemed.


"Speech."

She watched silently as her Sol appeared, and the pair began to speak, Jupiter appearing quite amiable as she brushed up against the giantess' flank. The two seemed to get along, and the woman was pleased. There were a few mentions of her, but she decided it was not required that she speak or offer anything in response. The pair seemed to have everything under control. When another woman, ivory furred and ocean eyed, appeared and seemed to take an interest in the ebony dame, Aislin added that she would also request entrance into the ranks. How wondrous, that they would have so many new additions. The alabaster femme felt her presence here was not needed for now, she would return if her Sol chose, but for now she would leave the newcomers to get acquainted with the celestial Queen. She stood, smiling politely at the trio in turn before lowering her delicate cranium to her Sol's orange toned audits. Ethereal tones would flow from ebony lips like silk, lower than usual, a whisper of whispers. "My Sol, I shall leave you to it, call me if you require my presence once more." She told her superior, touching her cheek to the woman's neck in a friendly custom from her family. Lifting her cranium, she broadly grinned at the strange pair. "If either of you would ever wish to talk with me, simply call for me." She informed them, her otherworldly vocals smooth and soft. A faint Russian accent could be heard, obvious and yet still hard to recognize. The icy rose dipped her cranium in farewell, and with that, her companion leapt from the trees and gazed at the strangers for a few moments, before following her best friend into the shadows of the mangrove. All that would remain of the pair was the rapidly fading body heat, and the scent of lavender and ginger. OOC: OMG I'm so sorry I didn't reply!! I didn't see this thread for some reason!! Forgive meee!!! Talk like this