Alone and Unknown

[Shay]

Alone and Unknown

Time: Early afternoon
Weather: about 70 degrees, warm but over cast.
Location: Immediately outside the borders of the pack lands.

She wouldn't wake up. Conn had been nuzzling his mother for the better part of the day, but still there was no hint of movement from her body. The had gone to sleep the night before and everything had been just fine, just the way it usually was, but this morning he had attempted to rouse her to no avail. Mommy never sleeps this late... He was a little hungry and more worried. The young pup laid down beside her, cuddling up as close as possible though her did not need the warmth. He thought for a moment, then realized his mother's belly was usually warm, completely unlike the cold pelt he lay so close to. Sadness wept over him, though he was unable to explain why. He raised his tiny maw and let out a pitiful howl, though there was no one to be found.

[Lanie]

It was not the sound of the pup's howl that alerted Aksha, nor the scent of the strangers. It was a chance spotting, actually, on one of her walks. Normally she took a walk upon waking, and perhaps another before sleeping. It was only chance that she decided to take another one. And normally her walks were through the valleys or up to the peaks, so it was another chance that she had descended all the way down to the passages that marked the entrance to their lands.

She had come to know the mountains well, through her excursions as a Quero as well as her experiments with her powers. As she stood at the very edge of their land, looking at the world she had left, she realized that she had not left Kouhai once since she had entered its lands.
And then she saw the still form lying only yards awya, and a bit to her left. She headed towards it cautiously, and instantly a light seemed to turn on in her head. Her purpose seemed clearer, as if suddenly those few feet between her and the pack lands were dangerous, and separated her from the rest of the pack.
She approached it quickly, seeing that the female had ceased breathing before she even came up next to her. She backed up as she saw the pup moving, and the hostility in her eyes faded instantly. 'Poor child,' she thought, on an impulse. She stayed low and as non-threatening as she could, tail down and head down. The kindness in her eyes was not a lie.

[Shay]

Footsteps drawing near alerted his young ears. Fear over took his sadness. This could be any type of predator, even the really scary kind that Momma would make him hide in the bushes for. He glanced around quickly. No bushes.
His heart swelled. Even if Momma did wake up, she would be far too tired to fight off the monster headed to attack them. He crouched low next to his mother's still form, trying hard to remember his short, simple hunting lessons. Head low, eyes open, paws feeling the ground underneath you, quit wiggling! His sight was blocked by his mother's tail, but he could still hear the approaching beast, and could picture it perfectly. Big, hideous bloodshot eyes, snarling face, gigantic claws and drooling fangs. Oh, big and fat, too. It would be a wonderful meal for Momma to wake up to. How proud she would be.
The figure had slowed, he knew to make his move now. He pounced rather sloppily, landing only a foot from where he started, facing another wolf!
Fear crept back into him, he had never seen any wolf besides Momma. He yipped, tucked his tail between his legs and darted behind his mother's body. Peeking out, he did notice that she, or was it a she.....well, it, didn't look too mean. Her eyes were soft, gentle, like Momma's were. "Who....who are you?" he squeaked quickly.

[Lanie]

She nearly jumped as he yipped and darted away, but stayed low and was literally laying on the warm stone. "I'm Aksha," she said slowly, inching her nose forward. "Is that your mother?" she added, after a moment's hesitation. Her nose was working away, as if she could determine everything by scent.
The female didn't seem injured, but knowing the lands that could mean anything. "What is your name, dear?" she asked, setting her head down and looking at the pup carefully. He seemed healthy enough, she thought. Her heart went out to him, as all of her siblings had died before they'd even reached his age and she'd never really been around any pups since.

[Shay]

The young male looked at the pile of fur in front of him. For the first time, he noticed the complete lack of movement in his mother's body. He nodded slowly to Aksha, curiosity fighting his fear.

His own nose began to work, though he had no idea what he was sniffing for. The female's scent reached him. He though for a moment, cocking his head. Aside from the smell of the native plants, her odor was not to different from his mother's.He stepped out from his frightened stance, padding to the other side of the lifeless form

[/size]"I'm...I'm Conn...Momma won't wake up. She started crying last night, and she never cries. I can't get her to wake up. Can you help me, Aksha?" For the first time tears had begun to well up in his eyes, but he didn't understand why.

[Lanie]

Aksha tilted her head to the side as the pup slipped closer. It would be a leap for the pup to trust her, and she couldn't just whisk him off to Tamyran. But she couldn't let him stay here; it was dangerous off packlands. She glanced nervously back at Imperium, as if one of her packmates would be there to tell her what to do.
She calmed her nerves and nuzzled the pup tenderly. "Conn, I'm going to call a friend," she said cautiously, speaking slowly and quietly. "They'll help take care of you. I'll stay here and look after you, okay?" She didn't want to frighten him, or alarm him, or make him think she was threatening him in any way.

[Shay]

Conn nodded quickly then stopped, cocking his head"There are MORE of you? I thought Momma and I were the last ones left. I've never seen another wolf before,and now I get to see two in the same day!"His fear had quickly melted away into puppy-ish excitement. He began bouncing all over the place, all but forgetting about his mother for a moment.

[Lanie]

(Referring to the Imperium meeting post at this point...)

Aksha smiled at his youth, and sat up a little to lift her head. Before she could release a call, quiet but urgent, another sounded.
Tamyran's distinct howl, distant enough to be calld distant but near enough to understand - and know where her leader was. She glanced at Conn again, and then crouched next to him again.
"Conn, did you hear that? That was my friend." She almost asked a question, but shook it off physically with a wag of her tail. "I can take you to her, and then you'll be abl to meet a whole bunch of other wolves. Ok?"

[Shay]

The pup heard the howl, and it did startle him. He had never before hear the long distance call of another canine. He nodded in response to Aksha query."As long as we come back for Momma later. I think she'll trust me with you, as long as I'm a good boy."Conn started off down the path before them, following the call of Aksha's friend. As he walked, he lifted his own maw to try experimenting with howls of his own.

ooc: Go ahead and post in the meeting, I'll follow you after Aksha makes her entrance.