Just strollin' (splash and open)

[Crimson]

((Tags: Splash/Kayos))

The sun was so bright, the sky so clear. It was a beautiful day, marvelous, in fact. The birds' song was loud and clear and the scent of flowers was so sweet that it caused him to stop and sneeze multiple times. Every time his head jerked downward, his luscious white mane rippled luxuriously and his tail swung ever so slightly to the side, a hardly noticeable qerk that he had that few could spot. Those closest to him, really, were the only wolves that it was visible to- and really, that wasn't very many wolves, when thought about. With every step, grace obvious in each confident stride, he was brought closer to the Pack of Stars's border with the Pack of Blood. A simple border patrol, of course, out of simple boredom, or course. Nothing more, nothing less. An ordinary day, one of those days that you'd expect nothing other than boredom and were desperate to find something to be entertained with.

Apparently, going on a border patrol alone with no Betas or Fighters at his side was Vince's idea of entertaining.

Reckless, maybe, but it was so calm and peaceful that nothing could ever, possibly go wrong. Nothing whatsoever. The grass was soft beneath his paws as the majestic snowy wolf  padded towards the border at a leisurely pace, obviously at ease and at home in the wide-open moor. His soft, luxurious coat stood out like a sore thumb, but skies was it a beautiful sore thumb. His good looks were undeniable; shoulder muscles that flexed smoothly, a thin, healthy frame, a long, lustrous coat of white silk, and a face that was so finely carved you'd think it was hand-crafted by the Sun God himself. His eyes, crystal shards of bright blue ice that contrasted so sharply with his snowy fur.

Vince paused as his gaze raked the horizon, frozen in a picture-perfect pose with the wind ever so slightly stirring his fur and his chin raised proudly, the golden-orange rays of the sun glowing behind his majestic figure.

[Splash/Kayos]

"really? no one back at home for you? no pretty she-wolf to return to from your valiant quest?" norsic nudged urrey with his shoulder gently, earning an annoyed snort. "i told you already. no. none. nada. zip." this time it was norsic's turn to snort. "don't believe it. c'mon, isn't the whole creepy, scrawny, malnourished look all the range in your old pack. there must have been a she-wolf or two sparing a couple extra glances your way." urrey glared at his friend, before giving up as norsic only grinned back. he sighed. "there were a few who were attracted to me, but i did not return their affections" norsic gave a sharp yip of victory. "knew it!" he was met with a roll of the eyes. "shut up."

the two loners crossed the border between the pack of blood and the pack of stars. they had started out that day walking further apart, but they were now pressed together, chattering away. the physical difference between the two was quite obvious. one an average-sized wolf with a tawny pelt and colorful eyes, the other a small, scrawny wolf with black fur and black eyes. it was an interesting site, the two contrasts walking along, laughing and pushing each other around only to come back together, like opposite ends of a magnet.

on the moor, urrey's pelt stood out. though useful in the shadows or at night, in this broad open space the pure black was easy to spot. norsic's tawny pelt wasn't perfectly well-hidden either. however, for the most part, if you turned and ran they wouldn't bother to catch you. well, most of the packs. according to urrey's knowledge, some were unnecessarily violent. still, lone wolves were hardly a rarity and they'd been chased out of enough places to realize that, for the most part, you just had to outrun them. or hold pace. or run just a little bit slower. really, there was any number of options.

glancing ahead of them, norsic was the first to spot the other wolf. the powerful figure stood atop the hill in front of them, and norsic wondered if the other wolf had seen them coming and decided to pose. "do we run?" norsic jerked his attention away from the wolf on the hill to peer over at his companion. the friendly warmth that had been there a moment ago had vanished, replaced by this steely look. norsic glanced back up the hill. the wolf up there looked more like a dream then reality. it was just too perfect. the wind tugging at the fur, the sun outlining his image, the pure white strands of his pelt. "don't stare. it's rude." the remark was dry and barbed, pulling norsic out of his stupor. okay, so the wolf on the hill might have been really attractive, but it was always good to bring himself down to earth with a glance at his companion.

he had liked urrey for a long time. it had taken a little while for him to actually get used to the ex-pack of shadows member, but once he had gotten used to his rather weird accent and his rather weird everything else, he had kind of just fallen in. though his friend was the polar opposite of the wolf on the hill, he had his own manner of attractiveness - one norsic had taken a the time to warm to and eventually appreciate. "run, yeah. i dunno. he looks like a pack member. he mused. "oh definitely." urrey agreed, "and should run. the pack of stars lives on the moor, so we can expect speed." norsic gulped, imagining those perfectly-shaped muscles being used to tear into his pelt. "fair point." he said, backpedaling slowly, keeping his eyes on the wolf in case he needed to turn and run really fast

[Crimson]

The perfect image was ruined, however, after only a few moments. Out of the corner of his eye, Vince caught a spot of something dark, and his head snapped around until he was staring down his muzzle at a black wolf, standing naught but twenty wolf-lengths away down the slope. Immediately, his hackles raised, and the snowy wolf's muscles tensed as if he was about to pounce. The only reason why he didn't, in fact, was because there were about nineteen wolf-lengths too many to leap over.

After only a moment's pause to think over his course of action, he started down the hill, half-slithering and half-trotting down the slope. His hackles hadn't relaxed, but he didn't look aggressive otherwise. In fact, he was making an effort to look friendly.

Let's get this straight: Vince was not stupid. Vince was incredibly far from stupid. He may have had authority over the members of his pack, and rightfully, this was his territory, but these two wolves- he'd spotted the second only heartbeats after the first- didn't smell of any pack. With the wind in his face, the mixed scent of the intruders was clear. They weren't a threat, obviously, and he hadn't the slightest idea why they were here in the first place- no need to act overly hostile until he was aware of their intentions.

As he slithered closer, icy blue eyes analyzing their every move, he called in a deep, baritone voice, words enrichened with a heavy British accent:

"Greetings."

[Splash/Kayos]

"that's not a threatening gait."

norsic paused, because that was a rather valid observation. "would be tricking us?" he mused. urrey snickered.

"pack of stars? yeah right. if we were in the pack of shadows territory, i'd tell you to run. but if he were going to hurt us, then he'd have already made that intention clear. not sure what he wants." there was about a second of silence.

"he's getting closer."

"noted."

"should we run?"

"we should see what he wants."

"you're sure?"

"he can hear us."

norsic froze, blinking a few times because urrey was right - the other wolf was standing right there. "greetings."

"to you as well." urrey replied. norsic couldn't help noticing that the two spoke in a way that was.... notably similar. urrey spoke with an odd fusion of the accent typical to the pack of shadows and something that norsic had never quite put his paw on. then again, considering he'd only recently gotten the smaller wolf to open up to him at all, there were plenty of things he couldn't exactly put his paw on, and the accent was the least of his worries. one of those things was the fact that he'd been pretty sure he understood the ex-pack of shadows members' view on strangers. but he'd just gone and spoken right up, something that he usually left to norsic. the larger wolf figured that this was yet another thing he would have to analyze about his friend.

But that for another date as well, because far more worrying was the fact that they were being confronted - even if the confrontation was rather pleasant - by a member of the pack of stars.

[Crimson]

Vince tilted his head. These loners were polite, at least. He didn't particularly like it when wolves intruded on his territory - he was an Alpha, after all, so the territory could absolutely rightfully be classified as 'his'- and being polite just might work in their favor, in this particular encounter.

"Would it be wrong for me to assume, loner wolves, that you know exactly whose territory you've crossed into?" And who exactly you've happened to cross? Vince wasn't one for open hostility against strangers. You never knew who they were, if they had friends in high places, if they had enemies similar or different to his own. For all he knew, these two could be former council members from the Pack of Shadows. Or, on the other end of the scale, sniveling cowards from the Pack of Ashes- in which case they wouldn't leave in one piece.

For now, however, he stayed friendly, he stayed polite, he stayed cautious. One never knew who they were talking to until there was a name to call them by.

[Splash/Kayos]

norsic could both see, and to an extent, feel the change in his companion. urrey had warmed up to him specifically, and because they avoided contact with other wolves he had gotten used to the warm, friendly wolf. but he was reminded then of when he'd first met the other wolf. to anyone who didn't know urrey, the difference would be very hard to notice. he didn't stand straighter, he didn't raise his head, he didn't tense up. there was very little that outwardly changed, but it was still noticeable to norsic. this was the wolf that had grown up in the pack of shadows.

norsic hoped that this would end well. he didn't want trouble and in the few encounters they hadn't run from, urrey had remained silent. this was different and he wasn't sure what at all had caused it. it could mean anything from he knew something norsic didn't, or he was plotting and that meant nothing good.

"the pack of stars." norsic answered before his companion, and he was pretty certain that urrey was staring at him. if it was any consolation, he knew that norsic wouldn't hold it against him. the smaller wolf was good at holding grudges - he'd heard him gripe enough about a mysterious antagonist within his old pack - but he also knew that, whatever odd things his friend did, urrey did actually care about him. and chances were urrey wouldn't even be bothered past this point. the truth was he couldn't trust the ex-pack of shadows member to not do something that would get them in trouble.

"you are a member of the pack of stars." urrey stated. oh come on. norsic thought in realization, this is not a game, urrey. this is a legitimate situation. and even you want to think of this as a game, you're not supposed to be playing against me. we do not need your dangerous ideas of fun right now. couldn't you find a way to court danger that doesn't have permanent consequences? win or lose, it'll end bad. of course, since urrey couldn't hear his thoughts - and it probably wouldn't matter if he could. that was the point of his strange games. they scared norsic half to death and ended with the lone wolf trying to talk sense into his dark-furred companion so that it wouldn't happen again.

of course, it always did. but it also meant he would have to e really careful and even more quick-witted if he didn't want this to end in a fight.

[Crimson]

Vince's face remained calm, stoic, emotionless. His gaze was even, but his head was raised and tilted slightly. "Brilliant observation, yes," he rumbled, a hint of amusement in his gaze as his eyes shifted to Urrey. That one... he speaks differently. The huge wolf's gaze flickered over the loner's pelt, determining muscle size and figuring out possible intensities of training he'd gone through, searching for scars and what kind of strategies or techniques were used to make them, and finally, stopping to drill into Urrey's eyes, scanning for emotions or certain movements. In other words, he was plugging this wolf into a calculator, pulling out numbers and data that could be useful to him.

"You must be very far from home, yes?" he asked, gaze never leaving Urrey. The brilliant white beast seemed completely uninterested in Norsic at this point. He was boring. Dull. Like a dead leaf fluttering in the breeze. This dark-furred one interested him, and he didn't even bother to cover that up. If he walked away with a desire for them to be dead, so be it, they would be dead. Vince always got what he wanted in the end. Boundaries would mean nothing if he really put his mind to seeing their corpses at his paws.

No, nevermind that, he wouldn't want their blood to ruin his fine foot fur. He'd have them tossed into the river instead.

[Splash/Kayos]

norsic was in no way oblivious to the white wolf's eyes locked onto his friend and a wave of protectiveness washed over him, an urge to perhaps attack or somehow shelter urrey. pushing down the impulse, with some difficulty, he stayed where he was but gritted his teeth. however, his rantional mind and his emotional mind were in agreement that it was not good that the other wolf had taken an interest in his friend. urrey's demeanor was one that made enemies and that made this situation just that much more dangerous and norsic found himself wondering if they would win a fight. urrey was a great fighter, but out here on the moor was definitely not his preferred place. and norsic himself was okay, but he still wasn't sure that even with their combined efforts if they would be able to win.

---------

urrey noticed the shift as the other wolf blocked norsic out of the conversation. narrowing his eyes, he store at the other wolf, watching the eyes look him over. he looked like a pack of shadows member. the dark pelt, dark eyes, low hung head that somehow didn't seem submissive, eyes that were sharp and observant. and though he didn't speak much, you could still notice the lingering effects of his youth. "that was hardly a good observation." urrey stated, taking a step closer. it was particularly threatening, more purposeful, point-proving. he deliberately looked over the larger wolf, eyes scanning every part of him. urrey quickly rethought his earlier ideas, adding a bit of evidence.

in the pack of shadows, he would've got this immediately. here it was a bit more difficult and he had to go off assumptions. but they way he stood - prideful - the way he walked - purposeful - the way he spoke - confident. it was possible that this wolf was just any other wolf in the pack. but poker couldn't be won without a little risk. urrey put his chances at about 65%. that could be considered a long shot, but it was worth it. pausing for effect, urrey store into his eyes a few moments, as though searching for something there. "this is an observation."

"alpha."

---------

norsic glared at his friend as he walked closer. confused, yes, but more worried and a bit anger. what are you doing, urrey? it all seemed to be leading up to something and norsic felt a pit in his stomach. urrey was about to do something dangerous and foolish and - "alpha."

well, at least he hadn't been wrong. he also was probably going to be dead, but hey - at least your last prediction before death will be a good one. and look - both you and him might end up dying with a correct prediction. he thought bitterly.

never for a second did norsic think he was wrong. and it wasn't because he'd been thinking the same thing. it was because norsic didn't really consider that urrey had, at long last, really messed up.

[Crimson]

Vince didn't flinch.

The majestic white wolf didn't bat an eye when Urrey voiced his... what sounded almost like an accusation with his threatening step closer. He paused for a moment, silent for a few suspenseful heartbeats as he watched the loner meeting his gaze evenly.  It isn't hard to figure out my position just by looking at me. But the way I approached them, as if they were equals, was hard to see through. He's smart enough to see through that, at least. Finally, his gaze left Urrey's to meet Norsic's. That one hasn't said anything for a while. A little smile tugged at the corner of the Alpha's mouth. He's smart, too.

"Correct," he finally replied, icy blue gaze returning to the dark wolf. His posture was hard not to notice. It was a familiar stance, head lowered but not to the point of bowing submissively like more would first assume. Vince had seen this posture in many other wolves, though not once within his own boundaries had he encountered it.

Oh, this would be interesting.

"You're a long way from home..." his piercing gaze landed on Norsic. "... both of you. What's your business here?" He didn't like the way this encounter was dragging out. However, he was beginning to take a keen interest in the two loners, and he intended to find out as much information about them before sending them away. He didn't even bother to keep his hackles flat anymore, however, now that he knew exactly who they both were. Well... his gaze drilled into Norsic. Almost exactly. He half-liked Urrey and his witty boldness, but he had yet to discover anything interesting about this other, lighter-colored wolf.