Lines in the Sand

Subject: Lines in the Sand Tue Apr 25, 2017 2:15 pm

This is what the world had become: a vast, deserted wasteland of decimated kingdoms and empty thrones.

She walked alongside death and bones. Old blood, dried in the sun, blistering in the blue sky above her. The young fem was parched, cherry tongue lolling out of her maw, pads burning in the sand. Her white fur came out in tufts along the cacti. She was far, far from the dark woods she used to call home.

A rampaging fire had finally claimed the ancient lands of Jabbar Junayd, Apocalypse, or Sacrifice Forest; the land had many names, and it had died along with its cursed prince. At long last, Fenrir had finally pillaged what was his in everlasting flame.

Echo paused beneath a gnarled Joshua tree, soaking in its narrow shade. The desert tilted before her gaze, her head dizzy with hunger and thirst, and she shook it free. It was hopeless to wander. The Lone Lands are a cruel, unforgiving place; certainly nowhere to call home or create a pack.

But she knew she wasn't alone. Her heart beat in her throat. She was out there somewhere, and Echo was determined to find her, even if it would kill her. The ends of the earth had appeared along the horizon, and she would search every corner. It would cross all promises and secrets that she had ever made, but that didn't matter anymore.

She would avenge Damean, even if it meant tearing out the teeth of her own flesh and blood.

Subject: Re: Lines in the Sand Wed Jun 14, 2017 7:44 pm

Feeling rather berated by the spiny desert lizard, Leon glared at the beast's den. He had some things to learn about the desert and her denizens. Surely he thought the lizard would make an easy meal and did not expect the sharp bit to his nose. Even now he continued to wrinkle his snout trying to get the stinging to stop. At this point in his journey he had been eight moon turns without a proper meal. With only desert mice to sustain him thus far he was doubly feeling the defeat by the lizard.

Leaning down and rubbing his nose on his leg, he sighed, letting his head hang for a weary moment before looking to the horizon. There's only going forward from here. He thought resignedly.

It was then he caught a dark shape on the horizon. He titled his head and narrowed his gaze. It appeared to be another wolf. I'll be...Maybe someone who can direct me to a proper feeding ground. Fat chance though. He huffed to himself and began trotting in the wolfs direction.

"Oi! You over there!" He yipped, his voice echoing out across the flat sands.

Subject: Re: Lines in the Sand Wed Jun 21, 2017 6:34 pm

A prickle like an autumn breeze tingled on the back of her neck. There was a voice on the wind and she turned to find another wolf trotting towards her. She held still, the sand whipping around his paws as he came forth, the tiny grains clinging to her white coat. It was her summer wear, but even her undercoat could not keep her cool. She sat in the thin shadow of the tree.

"Yes?" She blinked slowly, more exhausted than annoyed. In the past, a stranger like so would have been a threat. She could hear an old man scowling in her head, Young wolves think they can tread wherever they please. Trespass my territory, will ya? And she made a silent promise to herself to heed his words but not become them. Of course, there was a second voice in her head, too, This pack doesn't grow on pups alone. You were a stranger yourself once, you ancient cod. It was the voice of reason, cutting through the rest of the bickering noises like a sharp knife. Her face betrayed none of these things, though, captured behind a mask of indifference.

Then again, since wandering this desert, it was the first wolf she had seen since waking up. She steeled herself not to glance at the sky and wonder. No. Fenrir had his way and now it was up to the wolves again to carve their paths. Meeting this stranger was not fate or destiny; only mere chance.

Subject: Re: Lines in the Sand Wed Oct 11, 2017 8:18 pm

Relief washed through him when he heard her reply. He was almost nervous that he was succumbing to the famed hallucinations desert's were promised to deliver. Tail wagging as he approached he was sure to stand well back when he stopped to greet her. You never know with these females. She seemed calm enough. Likely tired of this landscape like just like him. "Hello miss." His voice was low and deep but polite, appropriate for a wolf of his caliber. " I was wondering if you were familiar with this stretch of uh..." Leon glanced around comically ".. uhh..of this sunny paradise?"

He continued to intentionally present a relaxed but alert demeanor. This would let the fae know he meant no harm and would not agitate her if she wished him gone. He knew well some fae's could take an adult male but he knew more plenty that couldn't. His mother couldn't and had suffered for it for a long portion of her life. So he never liked to crowd females when he didn't have to.

Subject: Re: Lines in the Sand Sun Apr 01, 2018 9:50 am

She couldn't pinpoint why his question made her smirk. Maybe it was because of his puppish naviety, or because he carried himself like a tourist. "No. This hell stretches for miles." Damn. That wasn't supposed to come out so snappy. She sighed, lifting her gaze to survey the landscape again, but she wasn't sure what would change in the meantime. Every direction, every horizon, lead to more desert.

You do plan on coming home, don't you? Another voice in her head. For some reason, their occupancy bothered her less than it probably should have. She looked to the stranger. "Where are you trying to go?" She wouldn't have an answer for him on how to get there, but what if he had the voices in his head, too? If he also dreamed of the dark woods? It was a longshot, but Echo was never one to give up quickly.

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