Legacy Ancora

They had a few days before she and her mother would part from the Chapter to travel across the desert lands to Valhalla’s border. Legacy set herself to make the best of those days by exploring the western coastlands. She rose early the day after her and her mother’s stargazing and set out, pace brisk once she’d passed the sentinels around the large camp with a smile and nod. She scanned the flat lands with her vibrant eyes, taking them in, marking spots that might be fun to explore. The land was truly vast, and as she stretched out into a lope, the camp shrank into the distance behind her. She altered her course as she spotted the telltale greening of the shrubs and grasses around a river. There wasn’t a single tree to be found, not even aspens around the river, but there were plenty of prey animals. Herds of elk and bison milled across the grasses in the distance, having retreated at the sight of the single wolf, but unworried for the most part. Legacy kept one eye on them, though, because they would be a good warning system against larger predators than the small yearling. All was calm, so she slipped down by the river to drink, lapping quickly. It was too chilly for a swim, but she could spot the silvery sides of fish gliding under the surface, flitting away as she waded up to her ankles into the water, having spotted a pretty looking rock in the riverbed. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

From a great distance, he noticed the river and set it in his mind to head towards it. Hudson was a bit peckish and fancied some river fish for dinner. His sweet mother taught him the family method of fishing. Slow, tactical work, elbow-deep in the rapids. He considered himself a talented fisherman; not an expert by any means but he rarely went hungry.

Hudson was coming up on a full year of being completely on his own, and it was showing. Chubby baby fat was replaced by lean muscle, sinewy and toned. Auburn fur glowed in the sun and emerald eyes caught the light beautifully. Green eyes caught sight of the bone-white figure from a distance and figured he may as well say hello to the fellow stranger. It had been a while since he met someone exciting, and while he was starting to worry his life would be a quiet one… he always said hello. It couldn’t hurt, right?

Hudson made himself very known as he approached, making no efforts to mask himself. He smiled wide, and let out a gentle woof as he got closer. "Hello there!" He called, hoping not to frighten the pale wolf before him.

Legacy Ancora

She dug her paws under the rock and pried it from the water in a cloud of silt, rolling it toward the shore and pawing fresh water over it to reveal the shine, grinning as she recognized the luster of gold. Bending, she examined it, then scraped a claw over a portion that had been unmarred, and the grin widened as the malleable material bore a scrape from the claw. She’d have to tuck it away with her things—maybe she could make something from it. A gift for her mother? Her bi-colored tail swayed softly as she tucked the nugget away into a spot against the riverside, making a note of the location - a bend in the river where the water carved down slightly and the grass and shrubs bent over the spot - and turning away in time to see the man as he trotted up. She could spot a friendly nature from miles away, and her tail waved cheerfully as she returned his greeting, black teared features smiling as she spoke, accented words lilting from her tongue, heavy, but still crystalline in terms of understandability. “Hello. I’m Legacy.” Though she’d greeted him warmly, she still moved off, intent on exploring the surrounding, vast grassland, though her head tipped in invitation to the man, vibrant sapphire and amethyst eyes twinkling. “I thought I’d get some exploring in today; care to tag along?” Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Hello. I'm Legacy.

Oh, wonderful. She's friendly! And what a unique accent. Hudson's tail naturally gave a swoosh, and he piped up to return the courtesy. "I'm Hudson, fantastic to meet you, Legacy!"

Hudson came from a world where he looked different. His damned eyes constantly got him in trouble. His entire family, the surrounding families, the pack, and truthfully even the rogues of his region looked similar to him. Reds, browns, grays, black, cream. Some combination therein. Mexican wolves were so consistently these colors to blend in with their environment. But one thing that was genetically strong in his region? Orange/yellow eyes. Everyone gawked at Hudson's green eyes.

But now, here, far from home, a wolf with fur whiter than snow and perfect markings clear and sharper than stone in a night-sky black. Eyes so blue they rival the deepest glacier, with speckles of purple mixed throughout. If his home pack saw Legacy, they would consider her a goddess from the heavens. They would be in shock. His green eyes would be just a whisper in the wind.

Pushing his thoughts aside, the man beamed. Some exploring? He loved exploring! "Oh that sounds wonderful!" He bounded closer to his new friend. "Anywhere specific in mind?"

Legacy Ancora

The man – Hudson, as he introduced – was, by far one of the most exuberantly friendly strangers she’s come across in her year of life. Oh, you met many wolves and other creatures when you lived with a traveling Chapter of healers, but there were a few that stuck out to the girl in her memories. This fellow reminded her of someone who still had much of their puppy-hood left to live, regardless of physical age, in an innocent, the whole world’s my friend way. She chuckled offering in return, “And you, too, Hudson.” It was an interesting name—though, far from the strangest. She’d once met a wolf whose parents had unanimously and unironically named him Fishgut. He’d never been quite able to escape the digs from others, and he’d hated the smell of fish and even the sight of them. Apparently, they’d been old fashioned and the name was supposed to make him a strong swimmer with great endurance. He sank like a rock. At Hudson’s acceptance of her offer, she flashed a quick grin, pausing and scanning the plains, spotting what looked like an outcropping of rocks and marking them in her mind, judging the distance. “How about there, ahead? They might give a better vantage point to see more.” She pointed with a black-toed fore-paw to the outcropping to indicate them, silver and black tail waving as she broke into a brisk trot, the easy, swinging gait developed from a life full of travel. Maybe Valhalla’s Queen would let her keep an active traveling life? Gods, would her Father want her to remain within pack bounds? No—surely not. He’d been raised with the Nomads after they’d found him, lost, as a pup. He knew the importance of travel to their culture. She dashed the doubts from her mind. From what she’d heard, Aurielle’s family was as closely tied to the Nomads’ culture and history, a direct descendant of Briena, who was daughter to the founders of the Nomads’ way of life, that of dual-skilled masters in fighting and healing. She wouldn’t force Legacy into a mold—Eramaya had made that clear. She gathered herself and leapt, bounding to the first and lowest rock, then scrambled higher, until she crested the mound of boulders a good ten feet up and stood, poised as she scanned the surroundings. The rocks, she felt, were about central to the grassland, with the river meandering toward the coast on one side, and a far-distant smudge of coniferous trees just at the edge of visibility toward the north and both east and west of the north. South spread the grassland, flat and sprawling, and the tiny specks of the Nomad camp, and even further in the distance, gold shimmered, the desert crouching just at the edge of sight. She took it in, getting her bearings. No doubt at some point, Valhalla would be holding another festival, and she’d be part of the pack by then. She tossed a light grin at the man, asking, “So, are you a local of the continent, or from beyond it?” Perhaps he’d know some interesting places she might check out. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

The Redthorn wolves are known for their kindness. The clan has its issues of course, just like any family. However, they are just unexposed to vile behavior that other wolves might. Arguments, fights, things like that are typically solved quietly and with patience and grace. No barbaric behaviors are allowed. It works well for the clan typically. Meeting a Redthorn is a unique experience. Hudson's kindness has been mistaken for condescension and sarcasm in the past. His uncle, Irving, was particularly sweet. So so sweet, he would get himself into horrible situations because he was, frankly, an airhead. The Redthorns were taught from a young age to always think the best of everyone unless they give you a reason not to. Second chances, third chances, fourth chances... Yep, totally fine. Redthorn Clan believes anyone can be good if they try.

Green eyes scanned the horizon until he saw the rocks that Legacy pointed out. Not too far away, not too bad, he thought to himself. "Sure!" He said, excited to explore the area. He wished he'd done more of this, so it was a perfect excuse to check out the surrounding area. And with company!

Hudson was surprised at the sudden and seamless speed. He was able to match pace but nonetheless, Legacy's smaller frame made her seem like she was gliding across the terrain. It wasn't long before they reached the rocks and Hudson followed close behind. The first jump was a little steep, but he vaulted his body forward and made it just fine. Once he righted himself on the first rock, it was just a few hops and they were there.

He was grinning so wide. The view. The view! He looked in every direction, drinking it in. A verdant forest to the north. A flat grassland in the south, with just the hint of a golden desert beyond. The river, the grasslands, the world! He saw the specks that were the Nomad camp but he had no idea what that was. His nose raised high, taking in a myriad of scents drifting past.

"Oh, I'm actually from an awfully great distance. I was.. ah.., well, I came this way to see the world, actually. I love to stay on the move, and see new things." He stumbled a bit and was a touch embarrassed. Truth be told this was probably the first conversation he had in a while, and she was just so unique, he was feeling a bit flustered. The slight bit of exercise left him panting slightly and his soft green eyes looked to her with the spark of life and youth.

Legacy Ancora

Hudson was a good exploration buddy—good-natured and friendly, willing to try vantage points. As she scanned the land around them, she flagged her tail in a brief wag, breathing in the air. The wind here was laden with the sweet hay scent of the season, clear water from the river, and spores of the prey herds milling in the distance. She turned back as Hudson answered, her ears perking to listen with interest, a smile flashing on her features as she remarked, “I’m new to the continent myself. My mother is part of a Chapter of the Nomads, and our travels run long. Always wolves and other creatures out there needing healers and trade.” And when they moved on… they would leave her behind. She was torn between her choice to stay behind and get to know her sire, who might not even want her, despite all her mother’s gut level assurances that he’s be thrilled to meet Legacy, and the longing to be with her Chapter, her young half-siblings and her maternal cousins and step-father’s relatives. She might not see them for another year once they left. Those worries swirled beneath the surface of her eyes, but her features remained cheerful a she remarked, “There’s a lot out there to see.” She turned, squinting toward the river, then nodded toward it with a flashing grin as she said, “I bet there’re some lovely rocks in that spot there. Care to go see?” Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

The fresh air, the wind in his fur, an attractive companion... Hudson was beaming. What luck he stumbled across Legacy! Hudson's family, save for a few of his cousins were homebodies. They never left the land they were born on. His uncle Irving was his role model. Uncle Irving was an accomplished world traveler. What he would do to come across him one day...

He listened to her explain about her mother and the realization hit him. "The Chapter of Nomads..." He said, almost as a gasp. A group of nomadic wolves? That exists?? He was blown away. "They- they travel all the time? Together? As.. as a group? That's fantastic!" It was so comforting to know that there were others like him, who traveled and enjoyed seeing new places. Hudson had the soul of a traveler. Like his domesticated cousins, Hudson's tail did not lay dormant for long. His tail wiggled with excitement. "I love to travel, but I admit, doing it alone can get... well.. lonely." He said, glancing down at the grasslands below them. He wished he had a traveling companion, or, ahem, a lady friend to keep him company.

He tried not to stare, but Legacy just seemed so cheerful. He found it incredibly pleasant. Hudson couldn't see what swirled beneath the surface, though. Her inner turmoil was unknown to him. It would have to be waving in front of his face for him to understand. He followed her gaze to the rocky outcrop by the river below. It did look like there were some lovely rocks over there. "Of course! Let's check it out."