No-mans land

A small light brown female called Hazel wandered across the dustlands. She was heading towards some beautiful mountains in the distance, but all she could see was a blur of colour because of her poor sight.

An old lone wolf had told her that a friendly pack lived there, and although it was a long jorney she couldn't miss out on the chance of joining a pack, as so little packs were willing to accomodate her, even though she coped well with her lack of vision.

She hoped she would get there soon, as she had become very thirsty, the taste of dust seemed choke her, and she didn't want to be out in this unknow land at night. She force her feet to walk on

~to wanderers's pass~

Emerging from Wanderer's Pass a dark shape glided across the ground, its movements as silent as a fleeing spirit as it moved throw the midnight blackness. Thousands of tiny specks twinkled in the sky above as the stars watched the lone figure explore the no man's land in search of any new scents. It was known that lone wolves hung out here daunted by the towering mountains, these were the wolves the DSp leader sought. Her pack was small and with the coming winter they would need more strength to survive it relatively comfortably, for that she searched for possible members that could add to the pack's over all strength. Yes, that would mean another mouth to feed but with the snow in the mountains driving the deer down into their valley she felt that even with new mouths they would survive. Her pack although small was strong and she felt that they would be able to make in through the cold season without others, even though it would probably a tight one. She was proud of her little family but the female always worried for their safety as any good leader should, and so she searched for even one extra pair of fangs that may turn the balance between life and death to their favor.

Lifting her nose into the air Rayen sniffed long and deep, her eyes and ears constantly scanning the area for any sight or sound of life. But other then the smell of sage brush and the sound of wind moaning through the pass there was no living thing within her range of senses. This troubled the women, loners were constantly passing this way that was why she had settled within her home inside the lush valley. Thirsty wolves traveling the barren dry expanse of land would come seeking the food and water her territory had to offer. In doing so they would meet the lone huntress who ruled the land, in doing so they would either be given the offer to join or be driven out depending on their reaction to her sudden appearance. Giving a small shake of her head Rayen continued on in her search.

"Hello?" A single question, the first sign of life the wolf had received in over and hour. Ears swiveling to locate the source of the sound her eyes taking in the surrounding area without even a perceptible turn of the head. The wolf was close, and judging by the way she had posed her greeting more as a question she did not know where Rayen was only that she was within this general area. There, the form wolf who had spoken only a few meters away from her current location, as quietly as death itself the leader moved forward her dark colored pelt camouflaging her perfectly. Coming behind her the wolfess seemed to appear from the shadows, the new comer was brown with various shades of darker colors, she had sat while waiting for another to respond to her call for a brief moment Rayen allowed a smile to lighten her striking features, then opening her mouth she spoke her voice like unto a nightingale spanned the distance between the two wolves. "Greetings, quite a night to be out and about is it not?" It was friendly enough, but within its undertone was an air of power only a wolf of high rank would hold.

Her magma colored eyes watching the stranger closely to gauge her reaction, remaining standing in case this wolf proved to be hostile after such a start. She was silently hopeful that this wolf who had sought out her company was interested in finding a new pack, from a first glance this wolf was short not at all a big powerful forces to contend with, in fact her head barely reached Rayen's shoulder due to her large size. Not a wolf one would want ifthey were seeking strength for strength's sake, but Rayen wasn't a wolf who viewed such a thing as the most important quality in a wolf she knew perfectly well that even a small wolf could be deadlier then that of a giant. The was Dancing Stone's motto "Beauty could be found in even the most unlikely of places," so it was and so it would ever be.

The female gave a small smile to show she meant no harm when the other wolf whirled around to face the DSP leader, remaining in a standing position the dark furred women. She noted how her tail raised slightly but did not comment or react to it, her own tail was held high in the air her head raised in a regal position. She allowed the other to examine her taking the opportunity to do the same, her eyes were a cloudy blue rather attractive within them shone the like of an unbroken spirits. She liked to see that in a wolf, Rayen noted the sudden widening of this stranger's eyes when her own gaze met the leader's. It wasn't a reaction she was unused to, her eye color was a rather rare one after all and more then a few wolves had been shocked to see such a shade on a wolf.

Not reacting to the staring she remained silent until the other wolf spoke, preferring to allow her to explain what she wanted after calling out to the dark colored wolf. As the other spoke Rayen's suspicions were confirmed this wolf who had introduced herself as Ardent was indeed looking to join a pack, allowing a spark of pleasure to fill her although it did not show on the outside. Sitting she gave a slight nod of her head. "Greetings Ardent, I am Rayen, leader of the Dancing Stones Pack." She replied, " if you are looking for a pack mine is always welcoming anyone willing to follow our laws." Her words were brief, but to the point if Ardent was truly interested she could answer for herself.

Rayen allowed Ardent to speak watching as her body moved and reacted to her excitement and eagerness to please the DSP leader, a smile curled her lips when she giggled falling slightly when she asked to be lead tot he pack and her sudden embarrassed reaction to her sudden question. Sure it was a bit blunt and perhaps to soon to ask such a thing in fact it would have been better to have waited for Rayen to do the inviting but the female did not hold it against her, the brown female had simply been caught up in her own excitement but she had gotten control of herself rather quickly which spoke loads to Rayen, standing the dark mistress turned angling her head she replied. " That is all I ask, over time your action will prove to me your true intent. If you'll follow me I'll take you to our territory, as we go I will explain the laws of our pack; if that is alright with you."

She liked Ardent's enthusiasm although the way she asked questions could cause one to become suspicious and potentially hostile normally leaders did not want to reveal the exact distance and location to any loner that passes by. Rayen did not take offense however, simply answering. "It is close enough yet far enough to allow plenty of time to discuss the pack's laws." With each step they grew closer and closer to DSP but it would be a while still before they reached the pass, after all the female had been out here for over an hour. "I'll start with one of our more important rules that is to treat others the way you want to be treated, simple and well known this sentence is a rather powerful one. DSp member are expected to treat members with respect it would be unrealistic to expect you to always get along with everyone every second of the day, but we ask that you give it your best effort."

"You are always welcome to share ideas, input and other opinions with everyone as well as the high ranking wolves such as I. Which reminds me before I continue, " She paused, stopping in the process, "The rank for alpha or leader is called Ruby while my second in command, the beta is known as the Jade other ranks are the Amber- hunters- Diamonds are the Warriors. Our healers are known as Opals while the Topaz and Geodes are our yearling in training and pups. The rank you will hold is the rank of a probationary wolf, until you have proven that you are truly devoted to the pack your rank will be a Quarts. "

"Now that is out of the way I will continue, pack members our encouraged to share their thoughts with the Rubies and Jade of the pack, we may be the leaders but the members make the pack and so you have a right to voice your opinions. However when a Jade or Ruby does make a final decision their word is law; that does not mean if I were to say jump off a cliff you should common sense is always expected of our members. " A humorous smile appeared on her face before vanishing, continuing on their walk Rayen went on. " I expect my pack-mates to be honest, the same is expected of me of my members also running along that note I will never ask you to do something I wouldn't do myself. Our laws are simple, respect all, do you best to be patient- especially around Geodes and Topaz, remain loyalty, share you ingenuity and creativity, be calm and wise when facing a trespassing wolf. Be honest, express yourself, treat others the way you want to be treated and most importantly," She stopped turning toward Ardent she looked the smaller wolf in the eye and said, " know that we are your family we love you and we will do what ever it takes to protect you, this is what we expect from our members."

A little wordy, but she had gotten her point across. Earlier she had been tempted to just go with that simple reply she had eased a second ago but there were certain points she had wanted to stress before resorting to her more blunt explanation. Finished she turned and began walking once more, falling silent to allow Ardent to ask any questions she wanted to.

Ardent nodded and walked with Rayen as she spoke, explaining the laws of the pack. Her ears drooped a little when she realized she would be placed as a Quarts, but she didn't complain.
'She did say I could ask questions...' She opened her mouth to speak.
"I understand your rules, and I think they are very worthwhile. I have to ask though, as I am placed as a Quarts, will I be able to hunt?" She blushed and looked at the ground as they walked, adding softly, "It happens to be one of my strengths and talents..."
She stopped and felt a wind blow past her, blowing her scent to wherever. She smiled and let it ruffle her face fur. She inhaled, and caught the smell of a wolf nearby. Her smile dropped and her legs stiffened. She pricked her ears and listened intently, pin-pointing where this wolf was. 'I wonder if this will be a pack member...'
Ardent stood un-moving, and watched as a wolf neared them. The wolf, a she, was white. She had a sleek silver streak running down her back, and maybe silver on her ears, but it was hard to tell in the dark. She seemed nice, and she smelt like (I'll change it if you want) a willow tree, and sweet grass. She was Beautiful really, and Ardent looked self consciously at her body, all muddy and ugly compared to the two faes before her. Ardent looked back up, and gazed at Rayen. She didn't ask who this fae was, but stood there and waited for Rayen to tell her herself, if she wanted.

(eh c: )