Broaden Your Horizons [open]

[shadowfire2]

Pure white male padded lightly through his new home. The Alphess Kalla had shocked him to say the least, laying upon the ground before a new unranked wolf instead of demanding a submission. It confused him and intrigued him till no end. This pack; so small it could hardly be called a pack without newcomers like himself and the few others he scented on the wind, was very different indeed. His pink skinned maw formed into a wondering smile as he thought about the wolf's antics. Strange indeed. Then again the Albino male should be used to strange, he was one of that category himself after all. He chuckled to himself softly.

His white paws stopped pacing as he reached a cliffed area. His red toned optics watched the watter flow over the falls, Watching it carefully, something had caught his eye when he first looked upon it, he noticed a rock shelf behind the falls. Tilting his head in intrigue He decided to investigate. Trotting up to the falls edge he carefully padded along the side. He pressed his zeniths back against his head to avoid getting water in them and slinked past the water fall. There he stood in a small alcove behind the flow of water. How delightful! He quickly padded back out however. The echo from the falls made his good ear useless, he knew what it was like to be half deaf, he didn't particularly like being completely so. He decided to instead take a rest on the top of a small hill. He could see any others coming which suited his needs well enough. He lay down, his head resting in his paws. Perhaps he'd rest his optics for a while... hmm perhaps not. His laid-back nature took over however and he closed his orbs for a short rest.

[kura]

Having excused himself to go scout the lands for coyote as well as the Alpha’s sister the storm cloud hued male had found a few of the former but not the latter. Sighing softly the scent of water and rocks reminded him that while he had feed recently he had not had a good long drink in a while. Large paws flatted grass as they carried him along until he found a waterfall. Malachite stare watched the water fall over rocks, he had always liked watching such things but waterfalls were rare up North where it was cold most of the year. Lowering his muzzle he lapped up his fill, water flowing past his legs, darkening his fur to stormy black. Lifting his head he sniffed at the air noting another scent, male, unrelated, and wolf. Lip curled into a snarl, slashed muzzle stinging, wounds caused by a self righteous wolf. Frowning he started off after the scent, Calla had not mentioned anyone else being about, besides her sister, but that did not mean it had not slipped her mind. His starving sister and two cubs had thrown him, Calla quickly saw they were provided with food, it would not have been hard to forget to mention another about. Looking up from his sniffing he noted a hill and a white would curled up upon it. Tilting his head he sniffed again, no blood, infection, or anything else troubling came to him.

The grey male trotted up the hill, stare locked on the white wolf like a hawk’s followed its prey. Too many times had his scent caused an unprovoked attack and he was not about to leave himself open to yet another. His new scars where the last he planed on letting wolves give him, plans did not always work out as he very well knew. Coming to a stop within leaping distance the half blooded male frowned thoughtfully at the other pure blooded male. Standing still and silent he waited for the pale male to show his true colors, friend or foe was the other’s choice.

[shadowfire2]

Apollo had been enjoying a nice little rest on the hill. of course he was sleeping instead of resting, something he had not intended to do. Vary rarely would he ever let his guard down in such an open spot; How careless! Even as he slept however his left zenith desperately tried to hear what his dreams were telling him. Something didn't make sense though. Foot-falls were heard in the recesses of his mind, he could not place them. It began to awaken his senses and suddenly an alarm went off in his mind. An unfamiliar scent was all too close. Like lightning his red orbs opened, catching sight of the stormy male staring at him with a less than friendly expression certainly did nothing for his mind's panic attack.

With a yelp he leaped to his feet. His zeniths pricked forward as he slightly bared his teeth in warning. He backed away from the male till he deemed he was a safe distance away. He'd prefer a buffer zone between himself and strangers. When he was satisfied that the other male would have to run at him first he relaxed his face and put his teeth away. His body was still tense. Red orbs watched the male tentatively as his pink nose scented the air. The scent was diffrent... Clouded somehow. His head lifted in confusion, head tilted to the side. He didn't recognize the mixture of scents. He had never come across a wolf-dog, or even a dog for that matter you see. His orbs instantly became curious, and he involuntarily took a step forward.

Pardon me, sir. It seems you have caught me a little off guard.

He voiced evenly. The muscles in his legs still stood tensed but his curiosity had got the better of him at the moment. He looked the other male over carefully, noting the numerous scars. They had that much in common, his felt his own scars on his flesh as he thought about that.

Ah, but I'm being rude! Forgive me. My name is Apollo.

He decided he might want to introduce himself. Even if the wolf was not in the mood to be particularly friendly, in the past an introduction has stalled a cruel paw. He hoped it worked today. His albino coat was rather blinding in the sunlight, something he noted especially when near the darker pelted male. His red orbs flicked nervously over the other male, questioning weather or not he meant the pale male any harm..

[kura]

Kura blinked more surprised by a red stare then the other’s surprise at him. Lips curled back when teeth were shown, body slipping into a defensive stance on reflex. Expression soften when shock wore off, the pale male took a step forward but did not seem to notice. The other’s eyes and nose marked him as albino, rare but still a pure blood. Frown of consideration still in place Kura tilted his head at the other, he seemed confused, had he never smelled a dog before? The fact he smelled ’wrong’ had been enough in the past but clearly this one was to curious or too cautious to just jump him. Debating which he frowned deeper at the name, his former master’s children’s lessons coming to mind. A sun god, also poetry and a few other things, nothing of interest to a wolf dog. Relaxing his stance a little to show a lack of hostile intent the mutt wondered if all his frowning would cause his jaws to hurt later.

“Kura Arashi, Kura is fine. Did the Alpha accept you or are you rouge?”

Green stare regarded the other, if he wanted to do him harm he had been asleep when he got here after all. He had called him sir but that meant nothing to him, manners could be faked. Sooner or later the other would ask what he was or he would admit it and judge his reaction. He would not be played by any wolf again, he was not a green stray anymore. Thoughtful expression could be read by Apollo as he wised to read it, everything was so open to interpretation wasn’t it?

[shadowfire2]

Apollo noticed the other's stance relaxing, it went towards comforting the albino to the dark male's intentions. They did not seem to include an attack. He relaxed himself in turn though he did not step towards him any further. His red orbs were still ever watchful. The male introduced himself, Kura it was then. He nodded that he understood. Though he had to listen twice as hard to what others were saying he did hear the other male, there was not a lot of other noise on the hilltop. At Kura's question a cautious smile crossed him lips.

A pleasure I'm sure. Indeed, i was met by the intriguing Alphess, Calla. I do not cross into these borders without permission i assure you.

He voiced politely. It was a little quirk he'd adopted to be like that of a human's butler or server. Polite words and respectful phrases. Though respect was not always what he had for others the politeness was a given, no matter the wolf before him. He continued to study the steel male. There was certainly something different about Kura; he could figure what was off about his scent but it was enough to make him want to proceed. He opened his maw to ask but quickly closed it, by the male's attitude currently he felt h would have to tread lightly upon such a subject. He'd been beaten upon for less after all.

Most humble apologies should this seam inappropriate.... you do not seam to be... like, others i have met.

He blinked i question. Both zeniths flicked forward to catch his answer. The pale male was most curious about his new found acquaintance. And the fact that he was not being clawed r chased only encouraged his enthusiasm. He would get his answers yet! He hoped the other didn't mind his prying.

[kura]

Muscles relaxed more at a smile, not a warm one but harmless just the same. The use of Calla’s name was all he needed to relax the rest of the way. Calla was friendly but not foolish enough to allow a threat to walk invited into her land. Tilting his head at the other’s polite word choice and tone he was not use to being addressed in such a manner. Even when he was with dogs that treated him with more respect then the wolves they were not so reverent. Frowning as he had been he could only imagine what it had to look like with his new scars. Sighing softly he shook his head at himself, caution had likely made him seem more hostile then he had intended. Apologies came before the inevitable question about what he was, the other clearly torn about asking. Polite etiquette was to ignore such things, being a bit too curious for your own good made it impossible to for long. This was something he understood, not all wolves shied from what was different, his father obviously had not.

“No need Apollo, I fear run ins with your kind have left me a bit…overly defensive perhaps? At any rate you are pack, and so need not fear my fangs unless you betray it or myself. What I am is something far more feared then your kind, I am a wolf dog. I belong to neither world, and now that the human one of my mother is gone I have found myself here. This slash was a parting gift from my former masters after they killed my mother, and the others I had called friends. My sister and two nephews survive, shunned by a pack that decided they did not want a mutt with them after all. Calla has accepted us, welcomed us, and I pity anyone who comes here to do harm for I will draw my last breath before allowing them to pass me. You do not feel like one life has left as untouched as Calla. If you wish to share I will listen, if not I will not judge.”

Sitting down the darker male took a long breath and let it out slowly enjoying the smell of this land where he was wanted. No one would chase him from this land, he would defend it until he fell, what was there for him beyond this? Every other pack he had met rejected or feared him, rouges were skittish or hostile, there was no peace out there. Opening his eyes he smiled just a little to reassure the other pack was the only bond he needed to trust. Fully trust, perhaps not yet, that came with time but trust was a start.

[shadowfire2]

Pure pelted male cocked his head as Kura spoke. Indeed he had never encountered a Wolf-Dog before, it was utterly intriguing to him. His red orbs looked over his form again. He certainly didn't look and different, the scent was really all that was "off" about the other male. His zeniths pricked as the stormy male mentioned his nephews, pups perhaps? Apollo often got along with pups better than adults, the cubs were always less judgmental. Of course Kura's story saddened the Albino, cruelness he had known, but not nearly like that of Kura it seamed. He let out a whine of sympathy, his pure tail waving low and slowly. And although he wondered what would sway a wolf to mate with a mere dog he didn't want to turn his new companion against him; he decided to hold his tongue on the matter.

He nodded slightly at the invitation to speak his own experience. He was new to this sort of civility from others, it only really happened every once in a while for him.

My condolences for your past, and that of your Sister and Nephews. Such treatment is truly to be considered evil. My own experience is not quite as harmful, so it seams. My mother was really the only one to care for me as a cub - even the omega got a hit every now and then.

He grimaced at the thought of the slimy creature who had been his birth-pack's omega. Such an embarrassment he had not lived down even after leaving.

I've had very little luck since leaving them, or rather practically being driven out. Quite a superstitious lot they were. Must be the eyes.

He joked lightly. He often noticed the damning look one gave him when looking into his red hued orbs.

You may have noticed I'm not as aware of other approaching. It seamed to others advantage; I'm deaf on the left. But i shan't burden you with my problems it seems we both have more than enough to drown us.

He informed the other about his life rather openly, he wasn't sure the details that would be interesting or that would rather be left out, and he certainly hadn't given him the entire story; that would take far too long. Reassured enough now, Apollo moved forward to a more natural speaking distance. He was already hard of hearing he need not be so far away; he took a seat as well. Relaxing himself into this new feeling of companionship.

[kura]

Kura smiled a little at the other’s kind words, freaks were sometimes the only ones to feel for other freaks, Call being an exception. When Apollo mentioned his mother he looked away, his had been so kind right up until the humans shot her dead. Since the pale male had been chased away he was unsure if was meant his dam was also dead or simply as good as. If was not something he cared to pry about, either way she was gone and that pain hurt.

“Thank you Apollo, it means more then I thought it would to be accepted as I am… If it makes you feel any better dogs can be just as cruel as wolves, at least they have humans for an excuse.”

Dislike of wolves had only been learned after he had to deal with them and their packs. A few run ins had taught him nice was not the way to go unless the wolf was indeed not a threat. Grimacing at the defensiveness they had instilled in him over so short a time he tilted his head when Apollo mentioned his eyes. He knew many humans considered red eyes to be a sign of evil, pure and frightening evil. Chuckling softly the grey male shook his head.

“I like your eyes, they remind me of fall leaves…it is not like they are glowing or anything.”

The idea of fearing something because of color was hilarious and pathetic to him, at least he smelled wrong to most wolves. His own stare was not common but hardly something to be concerned with, red eyes would likely make him look even more fierce then his scars did. Icy stare and long fangs had served him just fine, and were two things worth being afraid of. The pale male might startle someone if they woke up to that otherworldly stare but in the light of day what was there to fear? Frowning at the other admitting to being half deft he leaned in just a bit.

“I’ll sure to make plenty of noise next time I sneak up on you then, I’d hate to get another scar because I loomed when I shouldn’t have. I can be a bit too curious for my own good sometimes…looks like I picked the right pack.”

{shouldn't post half awake...}

[/color]

[shadowfire2]

Pure pelted male grunted his agreement to the cruelness of others. with a quick Indeed given as a polite gesture in the conversation. He did not know the cruelty of which Kura spoke, Apollo had never come across humans himself but others from his birth pack had. It was where the superstitions and even his name had come from; or so he had been told. Ironically enough he was named after one of the humans' gods, since he was so disliked by his pack. From Kura's description the pale male hoped never to meet one himself. at the mention of his red orbs Apollo smiled broadly.
Fall leaves -- Something he was not used to his eyes being described as. He had indeed been judged by his orbs alone before. His "tainted" stare had separated him from others before and he was thoroughly glad that it did not have the same effect with the male before him.

Apollo was worried admitting his hearing deficiency to another whom he'd only just met. However the two were doing quite a bit of soul searching on the hill-top and he even felt comfortable with the storm pelted male. He smiled again as Kura promised to make more noise the next time.

Much appreciated dear Kura! Do not worry, it shall not be I who would give you another of your battle scars. I'm glad we seem to both be able to find solace here. I have not met the sister but the Alphess seems kind and I'm sure your Sister & nephews are charming enough. I should perhaps like to meet them all; Should that seem acceptable to yourself of course!

He smiled contently. He did enjoy being around pups. His left zenith kept up it's twitching as the two conversed and his orbs though still attentive no longer needed to study the look of the other before him. He noted the other leaning in so as to allow the albino to hear better; how thoughtful. He idly wondered where the rest of the pack had gotten to, Kura and himself had been talking for a good piece of time and a wolf on a mission could move across the terra with no problem. It worried him some that they seamed to be completely alone for them moment but he was confident that the Alphess was simply patrolling or perhaps performing some other Alpha-ish duty; He did not know. He was not brought up for such a role and did not observe the tendencies of his elders as much as he probably should have.

Curiosity is an admirable trait in my book. Shows intelligence of the mind and independent thought.

He offered. He truly did believe it himself but he hoped it would be a comfort to his new companion.

[kura]

Kura chuckled at Apollo’s good humored teasing, it had been a long time since anyone had teased him just to get a laugh. He had no doubt Apollo would get along with Raziya without too much trouble, there was a reason the Pack had wanted her for even just a little while. His nephews he had just met himself and knew nothing about really. The fact they existed was still a bit of a shock, wolves this far south did not seem to care for dogs much. Apollo admitted he had not met Calla’s sister either, not surprising really but slightly disappointing. Assuming she was enough like her sister to accept a pack full of freaks was not something he cared to do for long. Tilting his head his grin turned into a frown, he was not use to people asking to meet his family.

“Raziya will like you, she lost a mate and a few cubs recently so another friendly face will do her some good. Her cubs I just met myself but I am sure they will enjoy your company once they get use to you. I left her near a kill Calla offered, I am sure they are still there if you wish to met them now? A snack sounds rather nice right now.”

Grinning again the male got to his feet before stretching, it felt good being able to just relax his body was not use to it. Testing the air the darker male nodded, nothing new and threatening was about so there was no need to tense back up. Nodding back the way he had come he waited to see if Apollo wanted to go meet the others or if he preferred to summon them here.

{either way is cool by me}

[shadowfire2]

Apollo was in quite a contented mood at the present. He'd met and befriended a wolf, half wolf but it still counts, in very short time in coming to this terra. This kinda of commodore was indeed quite new to him; with none as his friends in previous packs and not even his siblings caring much for him, he was quite enthralled at the chance encounter of such an existing pack as this. His orbs caught Kura's forming frown and tilted his head slightly in question, he worried perhaps he'd been a bit bold in his request but he would have to meet the rest of his new pack-mates sooner or later.
He attentively listened to the male speak; it saddened him to hear of his sister's misfortune. He could not know himself exactly the torment she suffered but he could still sympathize.

It would be lovely to meet them I'm sure. And what better way to be introduced to fellow pack-mates than by one of their own relation!

He smiled gently. He was feeling a bit peckish himself to be honest, if there was food enough left he could certainly go for a piece of a good meal. He rose up as Kura did, giving his pelt a shake to re-awaken his limbs for moving. His tail wagged slowly behind him as he moved to follow the darker pelted male. He would not make a fem' and her pups move to meet him, that was un-heard of. A gentleman (as humans termed it) would oblige himself to go to them, it was only polite of course!