Be a Man (Darren)

by **Growl** on May 20th, 2011, 10:59 pm

Farren stopped stroking his chin, and placed his hand back in his lap. "A wolf pup... perhaps in the woods if their pack takes them out. By the Frostfawn Hold. Perhaps in the caves around the area, for they'd help to shelter the creatures from the cold." There was a slight pause, "you should know the mothers are very territorial, and that you should mind their teeth," Farren said with a small smile, as a Vanthan woman came by, asking about a snow leopard. "Excuse me," Farren said as he got to his feet, and headed off down the store to help his customer, leaving Darren alone with very little information to go on. Perhaps now was the time that Darren truly began to feel the weight of the task; how alone he was in it. Perhaps now was when he truly began to question whether or not he could go through with it all and be successful. Or rather if he could find a wolf pup in time for his father. When Farren didn't seem to be coming back anytime soon, Darren grew somewhat impatient. Should he simply leave, or hope that Farren came back soon, so that he may try to pry some more information out of him?

OOCIf you choose to wait, you will be in the store for another several hours.

by **Darren** on May 21st, 2011, 12:12 am

"Ah cool then, sounds good" he replied back dryly, seemingly bored with the information given to him. Great...well that helps he thought sarcastically to himself, watching Farren go help the Vantha woman with her request. Well...at least I know where to start, he explained to himself,trying to keep positive. "Hmm even though he seems a bit biased on who to help" he muttered noting how enthused Farren was to help the woman. Meh, can't bear to dislike him too much for that though he thought silently to himself as he was now staring at the ceiling.

He made himself comfortable taking a seat in the store, resting his feet atop waiting for the better part of five to ten chimes trying to see if Farren would be back anytime soon. The man was someone that he can easily learn alot from and to spurn such an opportunity didn't seem too smart. He instead spent the time building on what he said. Near the woods? Hmm... but how far out? Perhaps someone from the Frostfawn can tell me that much, I bet. Perhaps I would even have time for a social visit? I bet Cara would know a bit about the beasts. She is as charming as a wolf... he thought, making a wolf of a smile at the thought. Nah, probably not. She would just do something kinky or painful... Darren sighed as he kept planning. "Such a dangerous past time, this thinking" he mused recalling the second part of what Farren had to say.

Caves and territories. That means I might need a torch, opening up the option of...fire? he thought scratching his head at the thought. How would he link territory and fire? Suddenly Darren's thoughts were back at Cara, trying to visualize the Frostfawn's visage for the better part of a chime before he closed his gaping mouth and resumed his planning. After another few chimes thinking, Darren took a look around to find that he couldn't find Farren anymore.

Convincing himself to go he left the store and made his way out of the market. Not before asking around to see if he can find anymore info on wolves and buying himself a torch. "And so he goes to the Frostfawn" Darren said, trying for a light jab of humor to keep his spirits high. Thankfully, Frostfawn hold was pretty close to the beast market as Darren was barely short of breath from the mild run across the snow. Well...at least this hold is useful regarding my task he thought as he entered.

"No I'm not here to see Cara this time" he told the people in the front of the hold. He smiled winningly as he explained about his situation and asked if anyone in the hold can help point him out to where he might be able to find the wolf family locations, how to track them, if there was anyone in the hold that gravitated towards anything wolf related and if someone would like to give him a hand with such a task. Sigh... and this is suppose to be the easy part? he thought somberly as he continuously repeated his situation to the people of Frostfawn hold.

oocI can take out the cost of the torch after the thread

by **Growl** on May 21st, 2011, 1:41 am

When the people of the Frostfawn Hold realized that it was Darren Whitevine knocking at their door, they rolled their eyes. "What do you want now Darren?" they asked, before he so much as managed to open his mouth and explain himself to them. After he had, they all turned to each other, staring for a moment, before turning back to him, and then back to each other again. "Follow their tracks," one man suggested, while another mentioned, "try to think like them, and where you would want to be." A woman called, "remember they're free spirits, try not to crush their spirit if your father wishes to have a true companion. Should you do so, the wolf will never quite be the same." As far as Darren was concerned, this information would more than likely be useless. In fact, it was pretty useless, but he would do his best not to let this show, in the hope that one of them would actually say something useful, or choose to come along with him. But none of them did so, all mentioning some chore or another that would get in the way; and keep them from venturing off. Things like having to clean the stables, or brush all the horses, feed all the animals, create a fresh batch of horse feed... the list went on and on. It didn't take long for Darren to realize that they simply did not have the time. As she was turning away from the Hold, so that he may look elsewhere for what he sought, he heard a familiar voice, coming closer, through the crowd. "Excuse me, excuse me," the man said as he made his way through, before brushing Darren's shoulder with his own, and apologizing profusely before continuing on his way.

Should Darren bother to look up at the person who just bumped into him, he would realize that the face was familiar. The short black hair with the single blue streak in the back. His height, 5'6 or so. A muscular man of 150 pounds who was carrying a spear that was just a few inches shorter than he, and that voice... Darren knew he had heard it a number of times before.

Perhaps Darren would run after the Vantha, and perhaps not, but if he did, he would find himself face to face with Azendil Whitevine. Maybe he could ask him to come along on his father's quest, or perhaps he would allow Azendil to carry on with his day.

Azendil Whitevine :

by **Darren** on May 21st, 2011, 2:39 am

Darren's lips pursed in an annoyed line, he wasn't expecting such animal loving responses. ...And such obvious advice also. He was raised a whole lot better to think more then what he was given so far. "Right...spirit of the wolf. Gotcha." he replied, his eyebrows helping him reproachful stare. He muttered under his breath as the replies became more on the outstanding aspects of them rather then what he wanted in the first place. He shook his head dejectedly as he asked the fourth person that seemed able if he wanted to join. Sadly enough everyone in the hold seemed to be busy in that moment.

He shrugged rubbing the back of his neck with his hand while rolling his eyes to the ceiling. A gruff sigh soon followed with him closing his eyes as he tried to calm himself. Yea, these talks with the Frostfawn are getting nowhere. Might as well be asking them how to love animals instead he thought, silently chiding himself for the rude thought. "Oh oh oh my... what ever shall I do?" he said to himself slowly. It wasn't that he wasn't taking the situation seriously, rather he was still trying to figure out a way to work it out without getting to worked up.

Finally a break in the monotone animal related Frostfawn talk, someone bumped into him. Normally he would ignore such a trivial form of interaction, meh, I'll live were the usual thoughts with such things. But the voice that went to apologize suddenly stood out to Darren. "Hmm?" He looked down to see a familiar face. "Hmm..." he repeated thoughtfully now. A name, this one had a name he knew. "Ah! Azendil?" he said, his voice carrying over incesant chatter of the hold's animals. If the man heard him he would continue, if not he would approach him nonetheless. "Hey. What brings you to the FrostFawn?" taking a quick look at the man's appearance.

Darren had a small idea what it might be related to but he still had to ask to be deemed polite before he rambled on with his needs. After listening to the man's reply he told him of his trial with Sifler asking if perhaps he might be free to help him. Darren wouldn't mind helping him quickly finish his task if he already had one or promise to help him out a few days after if he might have been busy. "Just from one WhiteVine to another, asking for help before he can stake his claim on life by his own." he explained. His gaze didn't drop as he regarded the other man but kept a somewhat serious mood in the air. He didn't want to intimidate the other man. Rather he wanted to depict that this transition of life was of utmost importance to him. He wouldn't outright and ask the man for help, one had to make it a point not to go begging for help if he or she wanted to do things right. It was just up to the character of the individuals he went to.

by **Growl** on May 21st, 2011, 11:58 pm

"Oh hello Darren," Azendil called, as he stopped in his tracks, the end of his spear firmly planted in the snow. He smiled weakly as he glanced down at the ground, "one may ask you the same question," he said simply, before adding, "a few people got into a hunting accident earlier, so they called me in to tend to them." Azendil had begun to shuffle his feet a bit, sliding them back and forth over the snow. Darren more than likely thought that he was nervous, or somewhat antsy, simply wishing he could be on his way. After all, it was pretty cold outside.

When Darren spoke again, Azendil remained silent, although his gaze never left his feet. "That seems to be an odd request from your old man," Azendil said simply, before growing silent once more. "I suppose you have been looking for help with the task?" Azendil asked, before growing silent again. "It won't be easy to accomplish on your own, after all."

by **Darren** on May 22nd, 2011, 3:08 am

Darren nodded solemnly as he then motioned them out of the cold. "Yea, I do understand that I would be ill suited to do something like this on my own. Especially when one is surrounded by his own brothers and sisters," he smiled as they reached some shelter from the elements. Darren knew that it was never a one man show for the important things in life. Most, if not all great events have happened not because of one man or woman, but rather a group of people working together he thought, clearly attuned with the concept of teamwork. The basics of things weren't lost on him, he was a methodical thinker after all. However it was because of that he wasn't able to devise such an obvious route to help him in his situation.

He hadn't considered asking Icewatch for help and wouldn't be able to think of such an idea until later that week, or month perhaps, depending. "So yes, I was wondering if you would be able to help with such a task. I know there is strength in numbers and one's movement isn't hindered as long as the group is under 6 people." He smiled at the luxury of having three other people with them. "But I would be content with two. So what do you say? Perhaps with your help we might not have any real problems to worry about" he smiled as he found himself wondering. Maybe

by **Growl** on May 23rd, 2011, 7:54 pm

Azendil was silent for a long time, as he considered Darren's words, and how he should reply to them. He slowly began to push his spear into the ground, although it moved only a little deeper. The muscles in his hands seemed to tense, as a few of his veins popped beneath his glove. "Well Darren," Azendil said as he looked at the ground. "Today's chores are over and done with. So there is time for this task." There was a slight pause, "and the day is still fairly young, and warm for this time of year. Perfect for a walk, a period of deep exploration." There was another slight pause, "we could go together Darren, as long as we are back before night falls, at which point, we will more than likely freeze to death." Azendil smiled, weakly, as he took a few steps forward. "Feel free to lead the way."

by **Darren** on May 24th, 2011, 1:56 am

Darren smiled at the man's acceptance, a secret smile hidden as he kept his head low before he passed Azendil. "Your damn right it's warm today! It's almost the beginning of summer! By then I'd be gone with my chosen lady and you would have yourself some extra spending money if everything goes right" he said with a short chuckle, putting his arms in around the other man's shoulders. It wasn't in the Darren man code to show the man a deep gratitude for Azendil. So he hoped that he conveyed the message clear enough with the bromance motion and the polite way of saying he was going to be rewarded for his help, if that wasn't enough. "Thanks" Darren said in an aside, looking away as if he didn't say the word. They came to the edge of town, the day still looking somewhat young. "Heh alrighty then, only natural I should take point I suppose" he said nonplussed.

Darren had no idea what he was doing, he was in no way a tracker as of yet. So Darren just aimed to head in as deep as possible, keeping his eyes and ears open for ANYTHING that could help. His feet slushing on the snow, he muttered under his breathe something about the spring and noisy snow. After awhile he quick glance at Azendil wondering if the hunter had seen anything. Squish! Darren froze at the sound, his eyes suddenly glazing over at it. He sighed, shaking his head up and down in mute anger. "No no no...don't tell me what I did. Just...let's figure out where it came from and move on" he commented, raising his foot to reveal what he stepped on.

It was poop. Wolf Poop even. That fact was the only saving grace for Darren's condition. "Oh I know! I bet you hunter types can figure out how recently these dropping were put down. If we are lucky I bet we can probably find a few fresh tracks" he added happily at Azendil. But then the thought came where he stepped in poop. He sighed as he took off his boots sitting on his bum while he wiped the remnants of it on a nearby patch of grass. His hands reflexifly went to his belt as he suddenly perked up and watched his surroundings.

by **Growl** on May 25th, 2011, 4:16 am

When Darren stepped in a pile of poo, Azendil scrunched up his nose, and walked around the mess, away from Darren. "They seem fresh enough," Azendil muttered as he watched his traveling companion. "But, there are few tracks leading away from it, they must have been concealed by the winds." There was a slight pause, "when it blew the snow into them... it's like they were never there," he said, as he continued forward, past the poop, and closer to the wilderness. "But even so, it is unlikely that whatever made that got far... if we keep going, maybe we can follow what little is left to the animal, or perhaps, its home, depending on where it went."

Azendil flashed the slightest of smiles as he continued walking towards the east. "They lead us that way, it seems, away from town," Azendil called, with a quick flick of his chin to gesture in the direction he wanted Darren to follow him in. "There are caves down that way... I think. Perhaps an animal or two lives in one of them," Azendil went on. "We best be on our guard, keep our eyes open."

by **Darren** on May 26th, 2011, 11:57 pm

Darren rolled his eyes at Azendil's response. Of course they're fresh! This crap is still wet! he screamed in his head before giving a pained smile back at the hunter. "Concealed by the winds? What are you? Oh..." Darren muttered as he slowly realized what he meant. The snowfall would quickly cover any remaining tracks if they didn't hurry he realized. He smirked at his companion, he wasn't anything of a tracker but listening and watching Azendil alongside with him giving Darren a bit of insight with these things really helped Darren understand the process. "Alright, if they are away from town we better hurry then. I imagine this type of trial would be almost five times harder if we don't finish by nightfall" he urged as he followed Azendil. The quick chin jerk was enough to lead Darren in the right way but the extra information was appreciated also.

"Hmm... any idea how we'll "convince" them to leave those caves?" Darren mused as they made their way across the snow. Mostly just talking to himself to entertain and keep their spirits up he rambled on for a good few chimes until they came upon the enterance of their first cave. He took a look at the torch he brought along with him. An odd moment passed with him looking at the cave and then the torch, an old inner conversation being reffered to. A spark of comprehension were lite up in Darren's eyes. "We can smoke them out..." Darren whispered almost inaudibly. He looked at Azendil, wondering how effective such a thing would be in a cave. "We can do this without fighting can't we?" he asked in his normal voice.