Do You Hear My {Howl}?

[<3Kodi]

Weary paws carried the small grey-white wolf along the mountainside, weaving through rugged pine trees and prickly undergrowth. Here or there he would glimpse frost clinging to the ground as he climbed, night beginning to descend over the lands. Howl was thin despite the summer season, he hadn't stopped to hunt much. Recently his mind had been running in circles as it often did when he traveled by himself. His chocolate colored eyes were lonely, his fur ragged and his overall appearance tired. Five years old yet looking quite young, Howl was in search of a wolf from his past. Unlike most wolves, Howl didn't remember much of his life until nearly two years ago. He remembered faces and sensations. The old healer was his first real memory, the old fae healing his wounds and telling him he'd been involved in a pack massacre and was lucky to be alive.

Now Howl was searching for anyone that wore one of the faces he kept seeing in his mind's eye and his dreams. The one he sought had a crescent moon on his brow and a blue lightning mark on his muzzle like the black lightning mark that Howl bore. For now however, his self-imposed quest to find out what had happened to him as a whelp was seconded only by the intense urge to sleep and rest.

Padding over to a pine tree, Howl settled himself among the roots, curling his legs up against his belly and laying his tail over his feet. Looking around, Howl turned his head back and let out a howl, the call he was named for. The reason, he suspected, was the range he had, his howl could be deep and low or soar high to a silvery note that seemed to touch the heavens. The old healer had told him his name but had been unable to tell him anything else, claiming she had simply been there at his naming before leaving his pack. Howl let his call go for several moments before letting it fade away into the coming night. Laying his head on the ground, the young wolf dropped off to sleep, his paws sore and body weary and battered.

[ღE/m/i/l/yღ]

Youssarian had been hunting in the dim light. A mountain hare had been on his senses, and now he was chasing the meaty prey. His mouth watered as he got closer and closer, but the hare was very fast. Suddenly, a howl echoed through Pine Tree Alley, startling the rabbit. It paused, it's heartbeat quickened. An easy catch! He leaped forward, striking it on the neck and killing it with grace. The alpha picked up his prey piece and was going to head back to his mate when he realized something- the howl had been in his territory. Excitement prickle through his paws. A newcomer, searching for a home? Or a challenger, stealing the land? He was ready for everything and anything.

Following the howls source, he found the creature that made it- a very skinny young wolf who was sleeping under a pine near the Climbing Rock. He smiled wanly, this wasn't any challenge. Prodding the wolves ribs, he attempted to wake him up. He began talking. "My name is Youssarian, but call me Youss. I am the alpha of the land you are in, Stone Frosts. what brings you here?" His voice was deep and baritone, proper for an adult wolf his age. He hoped he wouldn't scare off the young traveler. He wanted the little lad to join the pack...

[<3Kodi]

Howl grumbled in his sleep as something poked his ribs. He knew he was skinny but they didn't need to point it out! Blinking his eyes open blearily the young grey-white wolf sat bolt upright at the mention of the word "alpha". Howl's eyes widened in surprise and he blushed under his fur. He was a trespasser! He couldn't remember his parents but something told Howl in the back of his mind they'd be ashamed if they knew. Giving his head a quick shake to chase off the last dregs of sleep clinging to his mind Howl focused on Youssarian and flicked his ears back to lay against his skull in a sheepish look.

"Sorry, I didn't know this was a packland" Howl admitted honestly. "My name is Howl and I'm looking for someone."

A voice echoed in his ears, the remains of a dream...."Look Howl, we match!" An image flashed in Howl's mind, a white wolf touching his muzzle next to Howl's, the lightning marks matching.

Clenching his jaws, Howl gave his head a firm shake. Now was not the time for his weird half-dream half-memories. He was sitting in front of an alpha, obviously trespassing and probably in some sort of trouble for it. Howl hoped the alpha was as peaceful as he sounded because Howl was no fighter, especially not in his tired state. "Don't worry, you don't have to fight, I will." That stupid voice again. Howl flattened his ears against his skull and focused fully on Youssarian. These voices were going to get him killed if other wolves thought he was insane.

[ღE/m/i/l/yღ]

Youssarian mused at the wolves discomfort. "Do not fear. Me and my mate usually take kindly to outsiders." He smiled at the little wolf. He wanted to help him, give him a home. "Can I help you with any searches?" He asked, eyebrows raised. The wolf had an odd mark on his muzzle. Like a lightning bolt. He wondered if the wolf was looking for kin. He wondered if Raja was somehow connected. Sitting down patiently, he wondered if he should offer the rabbit to the Howl- he could use it. He waited for Howl's reaction to his question before making any moves.

[<3Kodi]

Howl could see that Youssarian had caught sight of the lightning mark on his muzzle. Shifting a little, Howl flicked his ears and studied his paws for a moment, sifting through the many faces crowding his mind. The one he looked for was a large white wolf, the image in Howl's mind showing him standing tall and proud, gleaming in sunlight with his head held high and a glint of affection in his eyes. Howl smiled a little at the image. Even if he wasn't sure who the wolf was, Howl knew he was special. Raising his head, Howl looked over at Youssarian.

"I'm looking for a large white wolf with a lightning mark on his muzzle like mine except blue and a blue crescent moon on his forehead. He has blue eyes but that's all I know, I don't remember his name,"

"Come on Howl, we're going to meet our cousin, he's coming with his mentor, his name is Raja, remember?."

Howl blinked. That was new. Looking over at Youssarian, Howl flicked his ears. "Also I'm looking for a wolf named Raja, I think he can help me."

It was a surprise that Howl's subconcious had given him this new clue. Usually it was the same thing, two wolves priding him of his first hunt or romping with a small white pup with the crescent mark. Sometimes it was just phrases, words spoken with affection or determination, sometimes scolding but it was the first time the name Raja had come into mind. Howl looked hopefully at Youssarian.

[ღE/m/i/l/yღ]

Youss's ears came into sharper focus. "Raja? I know him." He answered, remember their time in the caverns and talking about important matters and stories. "He's... a friend of mine." He answered, his gaze shifting into filmy thoughts. "Indeed, Raja is a helpful wolf. He has much wisdom and good sense." He tried to remember if Raja had said he had a specific place to go... he wanted to hunt. That's all Youssarian could remember for the time-being.

[<3Kodi]

Howl's ears perked hopefully, light flickering in his dark brown eyes. So Raja did exist! It wasn't just a figment of his imagination! Maybe this Raja would know if he was actually crazy or if the wolves in his head existed! From the sound of it though, it sounded as if Youssarian didn't know for sure where Raja was and that meant...that meant it was likely Raja was a wanderer. Howl's heart sank to his paws. He'd been wandering for nearly three years and never met a wolf named Raja or one like the wolf he saw in his mind. Where is chances any better now that he knew one of the wolves' names? Not likely.

"Is there a chance he might come here?" Howl asked.

Maybe if Raja was a friend of the alpha that meant even if he was a wanderer he would still come by the alpha's territory now and then right? Hope swelled in Howl's chest again. He needed answers, needed the voices and visions to stop. Howl needed his sanity back and to get it he needed his life. The name Raja rung familiarly in his mind but the image his mind drew up was hazy, a big wolf but a lot of wolves were big compared to Howl so it didn't change anything.

"If he would come here, could I stay here? If he's a friend to you, surely he'd come here sometime right?"

He didn't want to sound like a pup or sound desperate but he couldn't keep the desperation out of his voice completely and knew it sounded pathetic. Howl didn't care at this point. Penori was a big place, he'd never meet Raja if he went around at random looking for any big wolf and asking them what their name was. That was just creepy and he wasn't that crazy.

[ღE/m/i/l/yღ]

Youssarian thought over his answer carefully. He didn't want to crush Howl's hopes, nut he didn't want to lie. "I told him of that land. He prefers wandering life, but I think he could stop by sometime." He narrowed his eyes at Howl. "Is he kin to you?" Youss asked. Come to think of it, Howl looked a little bit like Raja, only a little. "You remind me of him a litt.e" He stepped forward and sniffed in Howl's fur deeply. It smelled of forests and traveling, a lot like Raja had smelled.

[<3Kodi]

Howl blushed under his fur. "Well, um...you see...I don't know but I think so" Howl explained, stammering and struggling. It was always hard to explain the way he remembered things, that was why Howl didn't usually tell anyone but if he wanted Youssarian to let him stay, Howl figured he might as well spill his guts. "I don't remember things well from I think the first two years of my life. I know faces and sometimes a name, like Raja, stands out in my mind and it sounds so important, so necessary that I have to know about the wolf. It's hard to explain and it's really embarassing but...I think...I think Raja might be able to help me. I remember something about a cousin and another wolf telling me about a wolf named Raja."

Oh it was so embarassing to admit he didn't even know his own past. He was braced for Youssarian to laugh or tell him to get lost and stop playing pup games. He was small for his age but five years old, fully mature, no pup at all and it always stung his pride, however humble it may be, when someone treated him like a pup especially if they called him a foolish pup or something of the sort. It was like a human hand rubbing his fur the wrong way, uncomfortable and wrong.

Before Howl could excuse himself from the wolf however, his ears perked up and his head raised. A deep howl rose from down the mountainside. It was deeper and fuller then Howl's call but it sounded so painfully familiar. Howl leaned toward the sound a little. It sounded like a wolf announcing himself, calling Youssarian. A scent came to Howl, the smell of mixed plants, traveling and the smell of a downed deer. A loner had made a kill and was offering it to Youssarian to share. A peace offering?

Howl looked over at Youssarian, wandering if he recognized the howl.

Farther down the mountain in a small clearing, Raja stood over a downed doe waiting to see if anyone would reply to his call to share a meal.

[ღE/m/i/l/yღ]

Youssarian lifted his head to the noise. He glanced to Howl. "Come. We have a visiotr." He trotted along Pine Tree Alley, and a scent grew stronger as he neared the end. Did he recognize that scent? He peared over the rise. There, a wolf who seemed to look like Howl a little waited with a fallen doe at his pawsteps. "Raja. You brought a snack." Youssarian said,a spark in his eyes. Climbing carefully down the steep mountainside, he met Raja full on, his gaze warm. "It's nice to see you." Youss said. He turned around to see if Howl needed help down the steep snowdrifts, for it was a little hard for him to get down himself. How eery, for them to be talking about Raja and for him to show up. That was a little coincidental... actually, very coincidental.

[<3Kodi]

Springing to his paws, weariness forgotten, Howl followed Youssarian. The trek was wearisome though for Howl as his tiredness began to return the longer they were on the move, struggling through the occasional snowbank but Howl did not voice his complaints. One of the voices in his head whispered something from an age long past about being diligent and showing no weakness to another. So, Howl followed without complaint until they cleared the rise. Howl's ears laid flat against his skull. The other wolf was large, nearly twice his weight if Howl were to guess. He had rich dark brown fur splattered all over with golden patches, a handsome head and pale gold eyes.

Raja looked up as Youssarian appeared and offered a smile and a deep chuckle. "I heard it was rude to come to packlands without a meal close at paw" Raja barked, inclining his head. His eyes wandered to Howl and the storyteller slowly rose to his paws. Stepping over the deer, Raja edged forward wearily and then looked at Youssarian, his surprise quickly cloaked by his natural content look. "I see you brought company my friend, there is plenty, your slopes seem a fair place for deer."

Stepping back from the alpha and Howl, Raja's golden eyes remained on Howl as the smaller wolf approached the kill, sniffing it wearily and glancing at Youssarian. Raja glanced between them, the gears in his mind turning. How had Youssarian found him? How? Raja's eyes lingered on the black lightning mark on Howl's muzzle but he did not voice his questions. Oh he had many of them, so many of them. He could imagine his cousin wandering with the pup, Mirage, and looking for Howl. Well, look here Raja had found him in the Stone Forest going to have a meal with a friend. The world was a strange strange place.

[£€G@©Ÿ]

The young she-wolf lopes through the land, towards the place where she has heard the howl. Her paws are swift, carrying her closer and closer to her destination. The wind whips by her as she runs, knowing with some pride that she could keep up this pace for miles. Her paws are now accustomed to the rocky slope in which she has claimed as her own. Scents fly by her, and, as she nears the river, she hears prey fleeing, mostly rabbits and elk. She runs alongside the river before turning away, towards Pine Tree Alley. Once she reaches the clearing where she and the alpha, Youssarian, had first met, she turns again, heading towards Climbing Rock. Once she nears the large boulder, she slows, finally ending at a walk. She smells her mate, along with another stranger. She follows the stranger's scent to a pine, in which he appears to have sheltered in. The Neutral Alphess feels her fur rise at the threat of a tresspasser. But then she forces herself to calm down, because Youssarian's scent is fresh, along with the newcomer's. But they are not here, for they are on their way, following yet another howl which she just remembers hearing while she has been running. Sighing, she turns and follows their scent. It appears that Youss is leading the other brute to Pine Tree Alley, the end of which she had just left before going to Climbing Rock. She sighs and shakes her head. She trots along, pausing every now and then to sniff the imprints in the snow, the scent getting stronger every time she pauses. As she nears the break in the trees, she hears voices. Youssarian's, she instantly recognises, but the other two are unfamiliar.

Raja. You brought a snack. It's nice to see you. It is Youssarian, speaking to another wolf. Instantly, the scent of blood and fresh kill hits her nose, and her mouth begins watering. There is a deep chuckle before the other wolf, it must be this Raja character, speaks. I heard it was rude to come to packlands without a meal close at paw. There is a pause. I see you brought company my friend, there is plenty, your slopes seem a fair place for deer. She shrugs, it looks like Youssarian has things under control, but.... Perhaps she should show herself, being polite, of course, and she is Alphess of the land. The young she-wolf, some would call a pup, steps out into the alley. She trots over to Youssarian and stands by his side, feeling somewhat self-conscious at the contrast of their height. She looks at the deer, and dips her head to the other wolf. You must be Raja. Thank you for the snack. She smiles slightly. In case they are wondering, she says: I overheard part of the conversation. She brushes her pelt against Youss's. She turns to the other wolf, whose scent she recognises from the clearing. I am Chaos, Alphess of Stone Frost. She isn't only addressing the brute, but also Raja. Are you searching for something? Her voice is soft and even, but the authority shows. She raises her tail in dominance.

[ღE/m/i/l/yღ]

Youss brushed against his mate, also. "This is Raja, and this is Howl." He says, nodding to the two of them. "I have told you of Raja, no? I found Howl in the middle of Pine Tree Alley." He noticed Raja's looks at Howl. Had he noticed him? Remembered him, somehow? It would be a great family reunion, he guessed. He still had the feeling Howl and Raja had more kin in Penori. Perhaps they did. Only time would tell.

[£€G@©Ÿ]

She turns so she can look up at him as he asks her if he has told her of Raja. The name is unfamiliar. She shakes her head and answers shortly, No. She looks at Howl in turn and dips her head in greeting. Hello Howl. I am Chaos. She looks at Raja in turn, but doesn't say anything. She watches their eyes, her's just slightly narrowed, as if she is thinking of something. She flicks her ears and turns to look behind her as she thinks she hears something. It's only an elk, being so bold as to walk behind the wolf. She shakes her head with a slightly disgusted look in her eyes. It disappears as she turns her attention back towards the group. She sees Raja looking at Howl in a strange way, her ears flick and her head tilts slightly as she studies both carefully. She wonders if they know each other from another time.

[<3Kodi]

Howl looked around. He felt someone's eyes on him and the eyes weren't Raja's. Large ears flared as the runty-looking brute looked into the trees only to see a wolfess coming toward them. She had an air of authority, striding purposefully toward them looking confident. She shared Youssarian's scent, asserting herself as alpha female. Howl glanced over at Raja but seeing the bigger wolf wasn't alarmed he forced himself to relax a little. He gave Chaos a shy smile and inclined his head politely as Youssarian introduced him. As far as he could remember he hadn't been around alphas much but that didn't mean a lot.

Raja for his part also inclined his head to Chaos. "Greetings m'lady" Raja barked. "I am glad you could join us. It is not a pack I seek, merely a favor for a friend." Raja glanced at Howl. "There were some things in this area I'd been hearing that required my attention so I thought I would rest for a while before being on my way."

Ignoring the bigger wolf's glance Howl spoke up. "I wouldn't mind staying here if that would be alright. This place is a lot like where I grew up, it feels like home." It was the honest truth because all Howl really remembered were pine trees, rugged slopes and huge mountains with fast-flowing streams. Something about that said home to him and Howl wasn't going to ignore it. Behind him, Raja's eyes flashed curiously but Howl was none the wiser.

Sitting back on his haunches, Raja thumped his tail thoughtfully on the ground. "Well my alphas, it is only right you eat first. We shall wait."

Following by example, Howl also sat back on his haunches to wait politely.