What Once Is Lost Is Not Always Forever Gone (Wolfie)

[Relairah]

The sun's light was beginning to rise over the horizon in the distance, the first signs of gold and reds chasing away the lighter shades of blue that flowed into the ever black of night. Many creatures hadn't yet quite woken. Or perhaps at these first rays, they now began to. Birds ruffling their soft feathers or rodents beginning to peek out from their burrows in the underbrush.

The early hours of the morning were always a time of serenity for Antarctica. A time when the pups hadn't yet begun to pounce about and require attention and she was free to herself and her thoughts. She had ventured a ways from the northern caverns where most of the pack denned and instead found herself moving at a carefree pace through the tall grasses and wildflowers of the empire mainlands. Over the course of her time since coming to these lands, so much had happened and so much had both changed and remained somehow also the same.

In the early light, her pale coat glimmered, reflecting other colors. Yet her crystal blue eyes remained ever the same - both gentle and firm, knowing even. Sometime prior, she had consumed a small breakfast so that now her belly was satisfied. She wondered if she should begin to return to the dens soon.

After gazing toward the horizon for a bit longer, she turned her direction. Antarctica breathed in deeply, inhaling the scents of the dew and the wild flowers and the other things around her. Truly, she was fortunate, she thought.

[Wolfie]

Rays of the early morning sunlight cascade across the vast meadow, bringing warmth and light to the once cold landscape. The grass had been dulled from it's normally bright green, having been frosted over from the cold autumn nights. A once shadowy land was beginning to wake as the sun rose up into the sky, drenching everything in a delicate golden glow. The dark sky, formerly twinkling with countless stars was beginning to grasp the colors of the rising sun, creating an ombre of colors beginning with the dark blue of the night's sky, and transforming into the ever warm gold of the sun.

In the distance, birds could be heard chirping, making the land feel more alive than the scare sounds of the night. Few creatures ventured from their warm dens so early this time of year. The cold, crisp air motivated most to stay within the warmth of shelters; and soon fewer would venture out at all. Not long from now, many wolves would be rousing from their dens, meeting the day with rested energy. However one wolf in particular had not said her farewells to the past day, but had slipped out of the cave as the sun fell behind the horizon, and made her way to the meadow. Phantom found that her abilities worked best in night, when the land was covered in nothing but shadows, with the moon as her only light. Every few nights Phantom would elude sleep and slip out into the night to work on her abilities. Slowly she was learning and getting better, becoming able to make larger and more realistic objects and shapes. Never had the she-wolf thought she would have such abilities, or any at all.

Inhaling the fresh air through her nostrils, she let out a soft sigh, sending a small wisp of her breath into the air, swirling like smoke before evaporating. Phantom sat beside a lone tree within the meadow, it's bare branches making no effort to shade her from the morning sun as it rose higher into the sky. She closed her eyes, feeling the warmth envelop her as it's glow slowly crept across the landscape. This warmth brought her thoughts of Mal, happy memories with a twinge of sadness.

Soon her entire frame was wrapped with the golden rays of the sun, her black fur absorbing it's warmth. The soft noise of paw-steps causes her to open her eyes, turning her head towards the direction of the sound, curious as to who it might be.

[Relairah]

As she continued her trek back toward the northern mountains, Antarctica's mind shifted to events as of late and also to the state of things. She let out a soft sigh, thinking of her immediate family. They all had so much on their shoulders and she often felt she could do little to support them. Such thoughts evaporated for a moment as she spied another directly within her path. The other was seated beneath one of the scattered trees here and it did not take long for Antarctica to recognize the familiar scent of one who had become a close friend since even before the demon wars had begun.

She slowed her steps as she reached her, Phantom. "Good morning," she offered with a smile. It was not the first time they had encountered each other both up before the sun's rising and both for their own reasons. "Another sleepless night?" she asked, her tones gentle as ever. Not that she could say much, she supposed, as she also found herself restless at times.

[Wolfie]

Often times when Phantom was alone, she let her mind wander; something she did not allow herself to do when she was with the pups. Her mind drifted to years ago, before the demon war had even been a thought. Mal was by her side, using his own magnificent abilities to awe her, and it always worked. Phantom was entranced by the bright, warm light he was able to produce. Which is why one could find her in the early morning hours, waiting patiently for the day's sun to rise into the sky, giving Phantom that familiar warmth she had grown fond of.

Shaking the thoughts out of her head, she stood, dipping her head gently towards the approaching Antarctica, a hint of both formality and familiarity in her greeting. "Good morning," she replies, a soft smile tugging at her lips. She nods once before saying, "I had a lot on my mind, and wasn't able to fall asleep." A yawn escapes her jaws, and the she-wolf stretches out her sleek body, her dark fur catching the light of the sun. "I did discover something, though," she begins, her once small grin becoming like one of a puppy. "Even though my abilities are of darkness and shadows, I can use a little light to enhance them." Slowly, she begins to use the shadows of the lone tree to create the image of a wolf. At first it's a plain and featureless, but Phantom allows the shadowy wolf to step into the gentle light of the rising sun. Phantom focuses on strengthening it's features, letting the light help her create a more realistic wolf. While it is still not perfect, and up close it's quite obvious to be a trick of shadows, from far, one would most likely see 3 wolves standing about a tree in the vast meadow. Phantom turns her gaze to Antarctica, curious as to what her reaction would be.

After a moment, Phantom allows the light to seep more into the chest of the shadowy wolf, creating a glowing light that seemed to be within it. Her eyes glisten with pride as the shadow of a wolf she has just created resembles Mal, and the bright, welcoming glow of his chest. Not long after, the sun continued to rise, shining too harshly on Phantom's creation, causing it to disappear in the sun's light.

[Relairah]

Antarctica nodded knowingly when Phantom stated she had had much on her mind. She had been through much, she knew. The older wolfess watched intently as the other demonstrated her growing abilities and Antarctica found she was impressed. The illusion was well formed and she could tell Phantom had been practicing. Even as the shadow-wolf began to fade as the sun rose higher, there was no denying it. The white wolfess smiled at the other, a shine in her eyes. "You've improved," she said with enthusiasm. "It definitely would have fooled me," she added.

Antarctica glanced to where the sun was slowly inching its way upward through the sky and then turned her gaze toward her friend once again. "Will you accompany me to the dens, or do you wish to remain here?" she asked. She wished to converse with Phantom, though also felt the pull of her duties and the pups would certainly be waking soon if they hadn't already.

[Wolfie]

Ooc: I am so terribly sorry about being gone so long >-< But I am back now, and hopefully I don't have anymore impromptu absences *paws crossed*

IC: 

Phantom releases her breath, sending a cloud swirling into the air, relieved of the strain of her powers. Her ears perk up and she gleams with pride at the wolfess's praise. "Thank you." For many moons, Phantom had spent days and nights working on her abilities, testing what she could do and pushing herself to become stronger. Now, with Antarctica's encouragement, she feels as if all of it has paid off. She yawns, the sleepless night beginning to catch up with her.

"I will go with you back to the dens," she replies, stifling another yawn. "I believe I have been out here long enough." Before she accompanies the she-wolf back to the dens she stretches her legs, feeling the rewarding aches of her practice.

Ooc: Also, apologies for my post being a bit short. I should get back to my normal length soon 

[Relairah]

OoC: It's okay! I'm sorry in turn for also taking so long to respond back XD life is busy ^-^ Also don't worry about lengthiness. I much prefer good content, though sometimes they go hand-in-hand XD Just write what works, and it'll come together!

iC:

Antarctica smiled warmly as Phantom accepted her invitation to return to the dens, and even laughed softly as it was clear her friend was more than exhausted. "Well, it appears you both need and deserve a good nap." The pale wolfess partly meant it in jest, though also wanted Phantom to care for herself. Though she could certainly see the fruits of her diligence.

"Have you eaten, Phantom? Perhaps we should catch something on the way back?" Aelariah knew that in the early morning moments, there would be plenty of opportunity and prey waking from their slumber and moving about. To herself, she wondered if this day would be a peaceful one, or if it would hold something unexpected.

[Wolfie]

After one final stretch Phantom was ready for the trek back to the dens, eager for her nap to come. She takes a step toward Antarctica, suggesting she was ready to go. After spending the entirety of the night outside, practicing her abilities, she was beyond exhausted and ready for a good, long nap.



Before Antarctica's mention of food, she had not even given a thought to eating. As if on cue, her stomach growls. “I believe my stomach has given you an answer,” She replies with a chuckle, blushing slightly. Now would be an opportune time to hunt for food, Phantom thought to herself, stretching one final time. The prey that lived in the surrounding forests would only just be waking from their slumber, and would still be blinking the sleep from their eyes. Phantom found herself more awake than she had been just a few moments ago, eager to get some food in her growling stomach.


Ooc: Very very sorry for how long overdo this is.   I'm really going to try and be more active!

[Relairah]

OoC: No worries at all! We all have lives. Keep going!

iC:

Antarctica smiled at her friend and the sound of her growling tummy. "Well, let's not keep your stomach waiting," she said. She shifted her tail and lowered her stance. Even here in the tall grasses would be opporunity. While it was true that many small creatures and game lay in the woodland beyond, there were always some nearby. It was part of the beauty of living within these abundant lands.

Her white body was not entirely optimal for blending in, but Antarctica had long ago mastered hunting skills. She slipped through the grasses, her gaze keen and aware. There! Something stirred, shifting the grasses ahead and causing a ruffle of sound.

She burst forward and pounced, snapping her jaws and catching a large rabbit in her jaws. She glanced toward Phantom. If her friend had caught something, she would offer a wag of excitement, though if not, she would offer the rabbit she had caught instead. She was certain there was plenty more awaiting.

[Wolfie]

Taking Antarctica’s lowered stance as cue, Phantom herself dropped down closer to the ground, her eyes and ears alert. Tipping her nose into the air she tested the area, learning about all that was around her. Strongest, of course, was the warm, familiar scent of Antarctica. Not too far off, within the forest Phantom could detect the scent of a deer, a large buck by the strong aroma. Phantom was far too tired to mess with such a beast, and the thought of a quick meal pleased her stomach.



Not too far away, perhaps a few strides, Phantom could sense the presence of a rabbit, completely oblivious of her and her hungering stomach. Lucky for her, the rabbit had decided to lounge beneath the shady spot of a tree. Slowly, she crept towards the rabbit, waiting until she was completely under the shadow of the tree to shroud herself within the shadows of her own creation. Now perfectly hidden from her prey, Phantom crouched down further, her muscles quivering in anticipation of the new prey about to meet her jaws.



Yet as she began to pounce, she stopped herself, revealing herself to the rabbit, which scurried off into the forest. A strange, unfamiliar scent had wafted to her nostrils, causing her fur to rise and sending a shiver down her spine. Her full attention was to the forest on her right flank, searching for the owner of the mysterious scent.

[Relairah]

OoC: So... taking the ending as a cue LOL

iC:

Antarctica shifted as Phantom's prey escaped and attention turned toward the forest. The older wolfess stepped toward her friend, sniffing the air and lowering her stance slightly. Her ears shifted forward.

"Wait..."

The gold band about her fore-left leg glimmered in the dim morning light long before her form became visible, though it soon followed. Her long, slender form moved with ease out of the cover of the forest and into the field. She loved this time of day.
There was hardly ever anyone around and she could enjoy it in peace without disturbance or question. She was new to the pack, and she wasn't sure why she had even bothered to align herself with them. But, alas, she was resolved to learn more of her heritage, and find some sort of meaning and belonging. Even if it was going to be a process of a million baby steps.

She was clearly a mixture of both Druin and the breed known as youroi, with a long, slender build... small paws and long legs yet toned muscle rippling beneath her fur. Two long red horns curved from her head down her neck toward her beck, bending upward slightly at their tips and they led to a line of horns decreasing in size followed from her shoulders to the start of her tail. Matching those horns, bright red scales glimmered from her chest to the tip of her tail.

She breathed in deeply as she stepped into the clearing. The morning sun bathed over her ashen colored fur. She stopped, long ears flicking and looked downward, blinking. 'Oh...' she thought. She hadn't expected to encounter anyone.

She bit her lip. It would look awful for her to simply run away. No, she'd stay. "Hi," she said, seeing that she had also caught them off guard.