Location: Woods just south of Ravok
Timestamp: 15th of Fall, 511 AV
Purpose: Wilderness Survival Training
There was a hush that had descended upon the forests of Ravok that night, all save for the whisper of insects flittering by his snout. His bright gold eyes watched from the shadows of an aged elm, though what he was staring at would hard to guess for any save himself at that very moment. He had been using this time apart from Aello to better get to know this forest that they slept in night after night when he stumbled across something wholly interesting. To others it would have been just another oak tree, but his eyes even in the darkness could make out the subtle gooses of the scratches that marred the bark of the tall tree. They where marks not unlike ones he himself could make, and almost as if in response to his unspoken revelation a howl carried on the wind.
Furred ears perking up, Nex lifted his head and looked intently in the distance, not actually seeing the animals more than he was decreeing from which direction the howl came from. His ever sensitive ears tingled as the last of the notes faded in the air, lingering just long enough for him to tell it came from deeper south than he himself was. Nex loathed to go so far from Aello, but he also longed to see his own kind, to share in the experience he was deprived of as a youngling. It was an impossible choice, he couldn't possibly leave the human unprotected, but forsaking this chance to meet other wolves seemed equally awful. He snorted, exhaling a burst of warm breath that quickly fogged up the night air, and began to pace as his mind tossed the choice set before him. Aello, she might get worried to find him not asleep beside her. If he was quick enough perhaps she wouldn't even notice he had gone. He couldn't possibly leave her to sleep alone in the dangerous wilds though, such a thing was unacceptable. She was able to protect herself, and was a rather light sleeper at times, perhaps she would be alright.
Another throaty howl interrupted his chain of thought, and craning his neck to the side to look over his shoulder he looked off into the distance, knowing other wolves where near. His mind and body tugged at him to go forth and seek out his brethren but his heart, and a deeper sense of commitment to the human bided him to return to Aello's side, and the safety that was there. 'It was just too hard to decide' he growled, his lips folding back to curl into a snarl as he nipped at some invisible foe. Never in his life had he felt so torn between two things since up until this point his desires had been rather singular. What was he supposed to do when two things he desired conflicted with one another?
A chorus of howls in the distance decided his choice for him, and turning around to where the sound came he bounded off into the brush, leaves and greenery slapping against his fur as he padded his way through. Ears folded back, and tail low, he sifted through the brush, ever keeping wary of a predator that might wish him a snack, while using his fine hearing to keep track of the wolf pack when they every so often howled. He fought to keep his heart from pounding out of his chest as he bounded continuously, running as hard as he might when chasing a particularly tasty hare. The wolves represented something, though he knew not the word for it. He just knew it was right to be among them, to experience that which he missed during his sheltered existence in Lhavit. It didn't occur to him that they might not be looking for new blood just yet, though of course potential problems never did.
There was a snap of twigs just up and to the side of him, the break sounding shattering to him in the silent night air. Paws dug into soft earth, and eyes went wide as he skidding amongst a litter of leaves, his eyes settling on a sizable coyote that looked none to happy on his intrusion on its' meal. Before he could even blink, the smaller animal had launched itself at him, nipping at his hind leg. Nex hopped forwards awkwardly, turning his head to snap at the already retreating coyote, and digging his claws into the dirt, was quick to himself around to chase after the pesky beast. The coyote wasn't done fighting just yet though for as Nex started gaining ground on him, he turned around again to nip at his snout, and stinging pain now radiating from his muzzle, Nex skidded to a stop, and swiped a paw at empty air as he shook his head vigorously. He earned to more bites for his hesitation, the coyote passing around him to nip at his hindquarters while Nex had been distracted with the pain in his snout. Whirling around Nex launched himself forward again to pound after the frustrating creature, his tongue lolling about as he panted hard to keep air flowing continuously through his lungs.
He was almost close enough to strike a bit of revenge back at the beast, and he quickened his pace as from his mouth dripped thick threads of drool, the pleasure of the hunt all but taking over his senses. Extending his neck forward he snapped at the coyote, his fangs clashing on only empty air as the creature cut to the side to disappear into a mass of thick brambles that he couldn't possibly hope to get through as easily or as unscathed. Still that didn't stop him from nearly running into a rose bush in the process as he dug the pads of his paws into the moist turf, just barely bumping the prickly bush in the process, but shying away from it all the same, and whimpering as he did. There was always the next time.
Timestamp: 15th of Fall, 511 AV
Purpose: Wilderness Survival Training
There was a hush that had descended upon the forests of Ravok that night, all save for the whisper of insects flittering by his snout. His bright gold eyes watched from the shadows of an aged elm, though what he was staring at would hard to guess for any save himself at that very moment. He had been using this time apart from Aello to better get to know this forest that they slept in night after night when he stumbled across something wholly interesting. To others it would have been just another oak tree, but his eyes even in the darkness could make out the subtle gooses of the scratches that marred the bark of the tall tree. They where marks not unlike ones he himself could make, and almost as if in response to his unspoken revelation a howl carried on the wind.
Furred ears perking up, Nex lifted his head and looked intently in the distance, not actually seeing the animals more than he was decreeing from which direction the howl came from. His ever sensitive ears tingled as the last of the notes faded in the air, lingering just long enough for him to tell it came from deeper south than he himself was. Nex loathed to go so far from Aello, but he also longed to see his own kind, to share in the experience he was deprived of as a youngling. It was an impossible choice, he couldn't possibly leave the human unprotected, but forsaking this chance to meet other wolves seemed equally awful. He snorted, exhaling a burst of warm breath that quickly fogged up the night air, and began to pace as his mind tossed the choice set before him. Aello, she might get worried to find him not asleep beside her. If he was quick enough perhaps she wouldn't even notice he had gone. He couldn't possibly leave her to sleep alone in the dangerous wilds though, such a thing was unacceptable. She was able to protect herself, and was a rather light sleeper at times, perhaps she would be alright.
Another throaty howl interrupted his chain of thought, and craning his neck to the side to look over his shoulder he looked off into the distance, knowing other wolves where near. His mind and body tugged at him to go forth and seek out his brethren but his heart, and a deeper sense of commitment to the human bided him to return to Aello's side, and the safety that was there. 'It was just too hard to decide' he growled, his lips folding back to curl into a snarl as he nipped at some invisible foe. Never in his life had he felt so torn between two things since up until this point his desires had been rather singular. What was he supposed to do when two things he desired conflicted with one another?
A chorus of howls in the distance decided his choice for him, and turning around to where the sound came he bounded off into the brush, leaves and greenery slapping against his fur as he padded his way through. Ears folded back, and tail low, he sifted through the brush, ever keeping wary of a predator that might wish him a snack, while using his fine hearing to keep track of the wolf pack when they every so often howled. He fought to keep his heart from pounding out of his chest as he bounded continuously, running as hard as he might when chasing a particularly tasty hare. The wolves represented something, though he knew not the word for it. He just knew it was right to be among them, to experience that which he missed during his sheltered existence in Lhavit. It didn't occur to him that they might not be looking for new blood just yet, though of course potential problems never did.
There was a snap of twigs just up and to the side of him, the break sounding shattering to him in the silent night air. Paws dug into soft earth, and eyes went wide as he skidding amongst a litter of leaves, his eyes settling on a sizable coyote that looked none to happy on his intrusion on its' meal. Before he could even blink, the smaller animal had launched itself at him, nipping at his hind leg. Nex hopped forwards awkwardly, turning his head to snap at the already retreating coyote, and digging his claws into the dirt, was quick to himself around to chase after the pesky beast. The coyote wasn't done fighting just yet though for as Nex started gaining ground on him, he turned around again to nip at his snout, and stinging pain now radiating from his muzzle, Nex skidded to a stop, and swiped a paw at empty air as he shook his head vigorously. He earned to more bites for his hesitation, the coyote passing around him to nip at his hindquarters while Nex had been distracted with the pain in his snout. Whirling around Nex launched himself forward again to pound after the frustrating creature, his tongue lolling about as he panted hard to keep air flowing continuously through his lungs.
He was almost close enough to strike a bit of revenge back at the beast, and he quickened his pace as from his mouth dripped thick threads of drool, the pleasure of the hunt all but taking over his senses. Extending his neck forward he snapped at the coyote, his fangs clashing on only empty air as the creature cut to the side to disappear into a mass of thick brambles that he couldn't possibly hope to get through as easily or as unscathed. Still that didn't stop him from nearly running into a rose bush in the process as he dug the pads of his paws into the moist turf, just barely bumping the prickly bush in the process, but shying away from it all the same, and whimpering as he did. There was always the next time.
