Simple Stargazing

[Valand]

Two years, two years and it already looks as though the packs are getting back on their paws. slowly padding over the grassy soil, glancing up at the nearly bare trees. The chill of night was creeping in as the sun set over the savage Unclaimed Terra, filling the sky with scarlet hues and fiery tints of a range of colors.

Eyes rolling over the specks of light darting about the air. Still reflecting on the last contact he had with a sane wolf, years ago it was. Mesmerized by the star like bugs darting through the glade. The ivory pelted brute lay on the soft soil, watching the stars appear with the fireflies. Valand stared at the gradually darkening sky with the moon lighting over the setting sun, waiting for the glade to fill with comforting shadows and shining lights. Wonder why the land has changed so much over the years, possibly it changed with the leadership of the packs. he scowled at the thought of that much un-intentional power. Though some of the changes were convenient for the packless wolves. The brute had a sleek ivory pelt and a body riddled with scars and scabs but a smooth smile and charming tones with a friendly demeanor.

He focused on a single firefly "Well, my little fly friend. Can you tell me what's next? " he asked the little animal even though he knew he would go without answers. Truly he hadn't had answers to any questions to anything but what time of day it is. And even those answers weren't precise.

Wide awake and energized, he wanted to run. Getting up from the warm ground onto heavy paws he stretched and gazed at the stars again. They seemed to mix with the firefly lights, making a show of light under the milky moon. Abruptly he sprang into a sprint into the small field surrounding the glade, scattering the flies ahead.

[Sonrisa]

Meanwhile, a short but significant distance away...

Two large, round, glowing green eyes were also enjoying the same spectacular skyview. Sighing as she rested her chin atop her paws, curling her tail about her, Sonrisa sat marveling at the beautiful night scene, unseen by and unaware of the other wolf nearby. The gorgeous moon, made even more whimsical by the sparkling and dancing stars lingering around it, was still, incredibly, the same moon she had gazed upon two years before. How can that be, after so many changes in all that time?

Bewildered by this, and deep in thought, she was momentarily distracted by a firefly. Sighing, she felt a tiny twinge of envy toward the little flying lantern. Fireflies had such a simple lifestyle. During the day, they waited for the night, and when night came, they came out to illuminate the night and lead the way for the wolves. Wasn't that how wolves should be? Helping each other, guiding one another? If only...

Musing silently, she turned her gaze back up to the sky. Every night it was the same, and yet it was always different each time. Under that huge, incredible night, the small, white little wolf appeared even more insignificant and tiny. But each little firefly made the night brighter, just as each individual wolf was born with a purpose. What is my purpose?

Still gazing at the sky, she relished the beautiful scene it made. The glittering stars, glowing silver moon, and dancing little winking fireflies all kept the night aglow, proving that even at night, life was awake and serving its purpose, portraying beauty and emanating purity. Why can't all things be that way?

In the pristine, serene environment, Sonrisa's auds flicked as she heard a brief disturbance, such as the sound a wolf might make while chasing fireflies [Sorry, just had to say it, Val. ]. Relaxing again, she remained in awe of this utopian night of edenism, everything and every living being fulfilling its purpose, at least for the moment. If only things could always be this way...

[Valand]

[Lawl, Awesome.]

Fireflies bounced off of his bulk or simply dashed away from him, it amused him for a little while. Well, it amused him until he tripped head over paws like only he would on a daily basis "AGH! COME ON!" he roared louder than intended. He looked from where he had tripped to see nothing to be tripped over he frowned for a short second then turned his head sharp to a vaguely familiar scent. Wandering through the chaotic space of his mind to figure out what the scent was of. Surely it was a wolf but he wasn't the least bit sure of whom it was belonging to. 'Might as well go and see.' a flicker of excitement to catch the scent of another wolf.

The little flying lanterns had already huddled back into their clusters from before they were scattered. He shuffled around them towards the scent, it wasn't all too far away and he wondered why he hadn't noticed the smell before. Focusing more on not tripping than the scent he stumbled along with a bit of foolish uncertainty as always.

He was making his way to where the scent was radiating from, still picking through his memories of whose scent it could have been. He would know once he saw the wolf but he couldn't remember which was driving him crazy. He kept thinking, not watching where he was going but quickly snapped back from thought to following the scent.

[Sonrisa]

Sonrisa jumped a little, suddenly made aware of another lupine presence at the sound of a shout. Is that voice... familiar?

Shaking her head a bit, she couldn't possibly know, from a distant shout. But still...

Making up her mind to find out, she slowly rose to her feet, wary but still painfully curious. Breathing deeply, she detected another scent. It had to be someone she knew, the scent... the voice... but who? Who could she know who could possibly be around? Now that she thought about it, sniffing around, she realized that the other wasn't as distant as she had thought, in fact quite near indeed. Who is that?!

Just one glimpse, she knew, and she would remember who it was! One glimpse of that wolf's face! Infuriated by that nagging knowledge that she should know that scent, she slowly followed the smell, sniffing quietly and moving closer. Memories are such elusive things at times....

[Valand]

The scent was closing faster, the wolf was moving toward him. He kept moving on his paws to get ever so closer to the familiar wolf. He peeked from the greenery and a wide grin spread across his angular and gruff features. "Why hello there Sonnie" his voice chimed. His tail twitched with excitement at the sight of another wolf and one that he knew for that matter. Looking over the ivory pelt with those dashing green eyes of her's.

Valand was still considerably larger than Sonrisa, but she had gotten just a bit bigger from what he had remembered. He sprang over the short brush to get within a pleasant conversational reach. He assumed they would have quite a bit to chatter about, it had been two long years. In any event he was content with simply talking to an old friend.

[Sonrisa]

Jaw dropped, eyes wider than would be thought possible, stunned and stammering, Sonrisa found herself staring into the face of the wolf who had been more like family to her than anyone else she had known. Impossible...

And yet... there he was? It seemed hardly real, but her eyes were definitely absorbing the image of... Valand. Blinking a few times, she found her voice, carefully trying to steady it. "V-V-Valand??" she squeaked. Ah. She failed. Control it, Sonrisa, just control it.

"You're... here? Now?" How could he be so casual? Oh. Right. Control.

Calming herself, she stepped closer. "How... how are you?" Was that appropriate, after two years? What should I say? What should I do?? How do I act???

Shaking her head, she realized she was overreacting. Be yourself. Yes! That's it!

Tilting her head and allowing a big smile to spread over her face, she laughed slightly. "Sorry I'm jumpy. It's just that I'm not used to seeing others around here, and I didn't expect to see you! I mean, two years seems like such a long time when you're alone. I've missed you, and our friends... Gosh, it really has been a long time since I've spoken to anyone! I'm babbling already!" Blushing under her snowy pelt, she gave a giggle. Relax. You know him too well to be uptight with him.

[Valand]

The grin stayed and he chuckled a bit at her surprise,

"Just hanging around..er should I say stumbling?" he was just poking fun at the situation as always. He soaked in the question, trying to recall how he'd been recently...or more along the lines of how he'd been for the past 2 years. ..'Hmm.... How have I been? Point blank and out right I guess I have been pretty bored.' he thought.

"Ahaha," He laughed once more "I would think so I haven't seen head or tail of anyone for those two, dragged out years. Oh, I can understand why you'd want to babble. I'll get there sometime. After all you haven't talked to anyone for two years now. " He replied with a smile rolled over his maw.

"Wouldn't you say that in two short enough years the land has changed so much? I mean, the last time I was around this area was when it was still pretty plain and the soil was cracked and hardened.
...
Now its just so idyllic, with all the fireflies and soft soil. " He breathed in the sweet night's crisp air. He always had liked the night more than the day, morning though was his favorite time.

[Sonrisa]

Getting more comfortable now that he was talking, Sonrisa relaxed further. He could always make light of any situation, one of the things she had loved best and respected most about the older wolf. Still smiling, she looked around once more, running her paw lightly over said soil. "It is much different. So much can change in such a short amount of time." Sometimes more changes in two years than has in a lifetime...

Looking back at him, or rather, back up at him, she tilted her head. "You haven't changed much, though, since our days with the others." Which reminds me...

"You said you haven't seen anyone else in the past two years, either? So... so you haven't seen the rest of us? Anulae and Baelis and Leilani, I mean. Oh, and Silverfang. You haven't seen them since?" Looking up at him hopefully, she dared to wish that he would know what had become of them. But don't get your hopes up too high...

[Sorry it's so short, I'm only half-here, half-entertaining relatives.]

[Valand]

He let the night soak into him a little bit more "Possibly it might have something to do with the pack problem to where more life has sprung about." it was a far-fetched idea but just close enough to where it was something of believable.

Valand looked toward the younger wolf, smiling "I have aquired some new scars but other than that, nope." he paused, focusing on a stray firefly "You've grown some over the years, and ye look less like a puppy and more like a beautiful femme. " he was just poking a little more fun at conversations and slipping in what fun he could to get a reaction.

"In truth, I haven't seen any wolf for nearly two years. A living wolf I mean." the Unclaimed Terra was a brutal place unless you knew where to set your paws.

[Sorry in a hurry DX]

[Sonrisa]

[Time for a really super duper short post! Uber sorry, I don't have much time...]

Sonrisa nodded, then smiled. "Possibly." There's not much else in the way of an explanation, anyway.

Tilting her head, she blushed a bit. "I certainly feel less like a puppy! Two years is a long time, isn't it? I feel like a different wolf since everything changed." Could loneliness be beneficial?

Disappointment welled up in her before she had a chance to prevent it. "Oh. Well, maybe they'll show up sometime. You never know. I mean, I found you. Maybe they'll come in time." Pushing down the sudden sadness that had momentarily touched her, she focused again on the fireflies. Two years is a long time...

[Valand]

Stars were already being painted over the dark canvas, while the fiery little animals silently went about their simple lives Truly, life was a simple thing we just filled in the spaces with drama and happiness. A real perspective twister the thought was 'Two years, it feels dreadfully longer than it truly is...' he explained to himself, he kept thinking that two years was like an eternity when it wasn't really. He still had some life in him so therefore he needn't worry for the ticking-time.

Valand gave a hearty laugh "Well, well someone here isn't very used to compliments is she. Well, I would think that it matured you quite a bit, the huge change with what happened with the alphas." he paused then added "The land too."

A clip of disappointment prodded his mind for a dwindling second. "If they don't, I can guarantee on my life that there will be plenty of new friends to meet." he smiled, after all he had learned to make new friends over his somewhat losing, painful life. Yet always he bounced back better than ever. Always.

[Sonrisa]

[Darn censor... I forgot the "L" in tilting... e.e]

Sonrisa sighed, looking up at the stars. The starlight, combined with the moon's milky glow and the blinking little fireflies, made a magical, whimsical effect on the night. Not all nights are as beautiful as this.

Shrugging her shoulders, she responded somewhat awkwardly. "I haven't gotten many opportunities to accept compliments. But thank you. I certainly hope I've matured." There's been too much time not to.

Looking out again across the land, she noted once again all of the physical changes. It almost seemed like an entirely different place, especially at night. Turning her green eyes back to Valand, she looked over his scarred pelt. He certainly had acquired some new scars, but he still appeared to be the hearty, cheerful old Valand she knew so well. Looking down at herself, she wondered how much of herself had changed. She had grown, she knew that much. She felt taller, and when she looked at her reflection in the surface of any local puddle or pond she was made aware that he face had changed slightly. Her eyes didn't seem so huge and round, but more refined, and her face itself had grown longer, more mature. It's comforting, in a way, to know that someone familiar can still recognize you after so much changes.

Smiling through the dwindling disappointment, she knew his word was good. He'd lived longer than she, had more experience and wisdom. His guarantee was tried and proven, she knew. "I'm sure there are. If we can find them, of course. I mean, it has taken two years for us to find each other again." Maybe it's because we haven't been looking hard enough...

[Valand]

He smiled "Haha, I guess I didn't take that one into consideration." His gaze locked to the creamy moon. He often looked at the moon, watching it change every few days. Simply watching the moons pass him by. He became a nomad after the packs dissipated, meeting few sane or welcoming wolves along his path. It seemed his kin had come to resent the rest of the land after their homes were practically not home any longer. The Unclaimed Terra was the closest and it still didn't feel right under paw. Something seemed wrong. Could have been in all of their heads, two years back the Unclaimed Terra wasn't meant for pack-wolf paws.

Scratching his ear then replying "I haven't looked, I'm not really sure whether they are searching or not. But I'm sure they are all looking for us and the others. "

[Sonrisa]

Sonrisa nodded, looking first at the sky again before turning her emerald gaze back to Valand. Flicking her tail, she thought about how things had been, two years before. Different. Very much so. She had been different, the land had been different, the circumstances had been different--what had brought her there in the first place. The war was over [OOC: John Lennon would be so proud. =P] now, and so were the alphas. The packs themselves were different. Everything is different now...

Everything, it seemed, except Valand. Had he changed at all? Certainly he had more scars, and he didn't seem so big now; but that was more because she herself had grown. Looking back, she knew that two years before, just out of puphood, everything had seemed big to her. Baelis was big. Big and powerful, and at first slightly intimidating, until he had proven how loyal he could be when he risked death for the others and protected them and herself from a huge, full-grown bull moose. Valand was big, but wise and easygoing, and had seemed like a charming, relaxed uncle to Sonrisa, though she had known that he could also be as strong and powerful as Baelis. In Leilani, Sonrisa had sensed a connection. Leilani hadn't been so big, she'd been more like a sister, the kind of friend that kept your secrets and whispered her own in return. Anulae, though very clearly well-intentioned and good-hearted, had still seemed, in her own way, bigger than Sonrisa. And there just wasn't a connection... If we'd had more time, there might have been.

Now, however, Sonrisa felt taller, stronger, and more mature. She had changed. In only two years, her entire world had changed. Glancing sideways at Valand, she wondered why it seemed that he was just the same old Valand. Had he changed at all? It didn't seem so. And in a way, she found that extremely comforting. She needed reliability, something constant and accountable for her to hang onto while everything changed. Have the others changed? Will I ever see them again?

The sky was getting still darker, the stars brighter, and the moon bigger. It was truly beautiful, although she herself was very fond of sunrises in the early morning. Night and day had not changed, though for some reason this slightly surprised Sonrisa. She had almost thought, oddly, that with everything else changing, the sun itself would change. That's silly of me... I'm glad they're the same, though.

[Valand]

"Not to sound like I'm so full of myself that I'm choking, but what exactly would you say about me? Good or bad, Honestly. " he asked in a warm tone.

He had formulated his own opinions and in his own, he thought of Sonrisa as an optimist. An optimist that seems to have a free spirit. But then again, that is just Valand.

Intently, he listened for the Fae's thoughts on himself and soberly smiled. It was nice to have an actual conversation that wasn't talking to trees or the occasional fish on the riverbanks. A real, wolven conversation made him happier with the world than normal.

The sky finally reached its darkest shade and all of the light that wasn't from the moon or stars receded behind the horizon. Their white pelts were still sore thumbs in the dark space but fireflies buzzed around the animals' presences.