Walk | Talk | Think

She was far from home, but that was of little matter to her. Despite its glistening, foggy blue lights, Callisto had yet to truly embrace her new place of residency though she had since lost her vague interest in the lands of her birth. Likely whoever was living there now had changed it, and what she could remember of her cozy den there would be nothing like what it was at the present day. There was little ties toward the creatures who lived there either, not even amongst her family. She respected her parents, tolerated her siblings, but had yet to develop a strong emotional attachment, feeling almost like a stranger among them.

It was only another reason for her to venture this way. Out here, beyond the borders of the pack lands, wandering the landscapes that others wandered, she was free, without anyone to answer to, without anyone to worry about. Or so she thought. Bright as she liked to consider herself, she was still naive toward the likes that coveted the loner life for themselves, those of a more shadowed allegiance whose intentions were not always pure. With time, eventually, she was likely to find a meager place among them, but for the moment, she was blissfully free to enjoy her naivety and pretend the brittle but high, verdant grasses that surrounded her, even in the midst of winter, were empty save for herself.

This thought followed her, lending her a contentment she could not find within the pack's territory, until she heard the telltale gurgle of a river ahead. Black ears perked, Callisto confidently marched forward, dainty grey legs carrying her darker, slim body toward the lessening foliage right up to the clear edge of the river's bank, staring at the chilly looking waters with a blank but comfortable stare. It was nice here: quiet, free, alone. The scents were comforting, calming to her, though one in particular drew her notice on the air. Most were swept away by the cool airs rolling off of the river, but one at least, with a pungent green odor, drew her attention. Letting her dark nose lead her, the silvery-blue-eyed pup slowly turned and began to follow the scent along the side of the waterway, curiosity drawing her along.

Lel seemed prone to wander, moving farther and farther away from his northern home with each day that he explored. White and black plume held high he strode confidently through the plains, his paws tracing the curves of the river?s shore. This place was new to him, but the boy had never quite learned caution in unknown places, preferring to race head first into any new location. Besides it was quite warm here, warmer than in his domain, that was for sure. The grass was different here too, taller and more numerous than he had seen in his short life. The scent of an unknown wolf reached him, and he stopped his walking, lifting his head and perking his ears. Violet orbs scanned his horizon, searching for the source. The boy could care less who it was, he knew no caution when it came to stranger?s either, thinking himself nearly invincible. He allowed a little yelp to escape from his jaws, hoping to draw the source to him. Since his encounter with Novel, the little devil had been developing a sort of plan, though he was still much too young to fully grasp how it would play out, he did know he would need to meet others. In truth if the source of the scent did move away from him, he might be tempted to give chase, after all no one should ever ignore him! Speech Others Thought

Circe would watch her sister wander from the den, into the distance, and out of sight. She held no judgement for Callisto's wandering and understood that she enjoyed time to herself but Circe felt somewhat lonely. She strived to have some kind of connection with her siblings. She did not understand why she could not be close to her brothers or sister the way she was close to Deteste. She loved the man yet she called him by his name and respected him as an individual. What Circe desired was not a cuddle or a lick but just the company of her blood.



So the girl would follow after her sister's trail a moment before it would go cold and she would race along after the scent before it would be untraceable to her undeveloped nose. When the distance began to close between them Circe would be surprised to stumble upon a white whelp, not much older than her own, yelping after her sister. Circe would feel a mixture of emotions as she silenced and slower her gait before the boy. Protectiveness for her sister, distrust for the boy, excitement for the new and curiosity in everything. The girl would stand a couple strides away from the boy, eyeing him with an analytical stare. It would not be long before he turned and noticed her and she chose not to speak in her common, mute-like fashion. There was nothing she desired to ask or state and found no value in wasting breath or word.

Walk | Talk | Think

It was with only a few more paces that she finally found what it was that had caught her attention, the scent that had drawn her upward along the river's bank. She practically had her nose right in by the time she stopped, realizing in the instant before she all but shoved her face into the plant that it had been the source of the potent smell. It was strange to her that it should create such a strong fragrance, and with the scent still within her nostrils she turned her head and scented the air again, wondering if there were any other such smells that might catch her notice in a similar manner, intrigued to know why it was that this little sprig of a thing in particular had grasped her notice above all the others.

Unfortunately for her, it was not the scent of another plant that then caused her ears to shift forward at attention. In actuality, it was no scent at all. It was a sound. A quick, eager yip, created not by her but by someone else. And a rather close by someone at that.

Before she could stop herself, the black and grey pup felt her nose curl with distaste, her expression a clear show of her sentiments toward company, especially after having taken to enjoying the quality alone time. It was such a nice change from being continually harassed by her brother; she hated to lose it so quickly. Rather than use the sound to guide her to its source, as she supposed the creator had intended, she lowered her head and made a motion to turn, intending to hide herself there in the thick grasses beside the river with whatever cover they could offer. But just as she had made the move, she had caught the scent, not only of an unknown wolf but of a sibling as well. Her sister.

Conflicted, Callisto remained rooted to the spot for a long moment, very strongly wishing to continue with her plan and simply disappear from view of those within her current chosen haunting ground. But knowing how much her sister doted on their father, and knowing him to return the sentiments, she would have hated to earn even a look of disappointment from the man, regardless of her own distance from him. With a low groan, she turned in place and wandered toward the scent, grateful to realize that the source in question was relatively close, and only stopped when she saw the white male pup standing before her sister. She could have very well wandered around him to stand at Circe's side, but instead chose to hold her own ground, mildly irritable expression focusing upon the male before ignoring him and addressing her sister behind him. "What are you doing here, Circe?"

Another scent? and this one female as well! Oh how lucky the boy was. It would only take a minute for the new girl to appear and yet he would not turn to her right away still hopeful for the appearance of the first one. Then he would deign to gaze upon her, allow her to bask under the glow of his magnificent attention. Or at least it would seem to the boy. He was trying his damndest to appear regal and while not droll looking by any stretch he certainly didn't look as good as he thought he did. Violet gaze would alight upon her chocolate figure a small smile lifting the corners of his mouth. It was on his face an innocent enough smile, the boy was incapable of looking menacing, at this age anyways. The boy summoned his voice to speak when the original girl appeared, Lel turned his head suddenly to look at her, his smile widening. There was something about these girls that stirred in him, though he could not place it. That would be a discovery for another time. His smile dropped though as she turned to speak to her? sister? Lel detested being ignored and now was no exception. His ears pulled back some and he ground his teeth together. Gaze narrowing in annoyance. Speech Others Thought

Any excitement would dwindle into nothingness for the girl and as the feeling faded her expression would soften and her ears would fall backward against her sharp skull. Cerulean eyes would watch as both her sister and stranger grew impatient of her presence, their displays of irritation almost too much for the girl to handle. What she had done to cause such sudden and overwhelming distaste was beyond her understanding and she would speak in defense. I just wanted to be with you Callisto. You and Serverus play all the time. Who am I supposed to play with? The words would return the accusatory tone that her sister had used against her. Circe's desire for her sister's company would leave her and she would have left without a second comment had the stranger boy not interjected himself within their sudden dispute. Circe's gaze would sharpen with childish defensiveness as she addressed his misplaced act of annoyance. And what did I ever do to you? I only wanted to say hello. Circe would huff after her last sentence. Her small rump would lower to the ground and though her tail would wrap around her slim body she would not allow herself to be intimidated by her company and scrutinized them for their replies.

Walk | Talk | Think

Even from the corner of her eye she could tell that she had irked the male by boldly choosing to ignore him altogether. Though she did not show it, she took great satisfaction from the fact, sure now that he would be able to tell without a hint of doubt that her interests did not lie in the least with him. Hell, if she had had it her way, she would have disappeared entirely at the first sign of company, melding into the shadows and disappearing among them. It was only Circe that had stopped her from doing just that, though by the look that settled upon her sibling's face she could see the reception she had given had been less than ideal. Only slightly did Callisto feel a small prickle of guilt, though nothing great enough to act on.

With the male frowning and glowering in a spoiled pout, Callisto continued to hold her attention upon her sibling and listen as the brown colored girl supplied her answer, to which the black and grey girl released a sudden breath that was nearly a snort. Her and Severus? Play? Is that what she calls it? It had always seemed more like bouts of torment from her brother, teasing and nitpicking and making such a bother of himself that Callisto was sure if he kept it up she would eventually go mad and snap on him entirely. He certainly knew how to push her buttons, whether because of their relation or irritatingly good intuition. "You can have my spot in his games," she answered somewhat flatly to the increasingly heated tone of her sister, "I don't want it."

To her surprise though, her typically demure sister suddenly turned her temperamental stare upon the boy between then and spoke directly to him with much the same accusatory tone that she had just received, no doubt stirring the already tepid flames of irritation. Even stronger than the sudden guilt that had settled over her earlier the spindly girl felt something new: pride. It was not always she got to see her sister speak up in this manner, particularly to strangers, and just a little she felt a little stronger connection to her. "Can't you see, Circe?" she asked as she began to walk around the boy to join her sibling on his opposite side. "He thinks himself special enough for our full attention." Coming to stand beside the other girl, she turned her head to peer at him with her silvery blue gaze, giving him a swift once over before goading him further. "At least in his eyes."

His lip would twitch upwards in a barley stifled snarl as the first girl continued to ignore him. How dare she, was she unaware of who it was that stood before her? She would speak to the second girl, and Lel?s hackles would rise. The insolence of the bitch! The chocolate girl would speak, and his violet gaze would swing violently towards her and for a moment he would remain motionless caught between nursing his anger and letting it fall to try and ensnare the girl, but her sister would speak once more. He would drop silently from his perch and pad towards the girls, his expression calming a little. First he would address the one called Circe. ?I have nothing against you.? He would say, trying his best to hide his anger. Then he would turn to face the first girl, a wicked grin rising upon his features. ?Anyone would think highly of themselves compared to you.? He would laugh then, a short barking laugh before he let the next phrase rip from his lips. ?I am glad your sister arrived when she did, I nearly mistook you for pretty, but now that she has arrived and I have a point of reference I can see just how plain you are.? He would cast a quick glance at the chocolate girl, would she catch his compliment in her taunt? He hoped so, he did not often speak highly of others and did not wish the rare occasion to be wasted. Speech Others Thought