The Lakeside

Moonbreeze layed down by the pool, thinking. She had heard great things about Clan life, remembered faintly of one she was in as a pup, and wished so strongly to be in one, but this was impossible. They would never accept a full-grown wolf, and in any case, she would be too shy to aproach any of the wolves. There was the idea of starting a new one, but it was so long since she'd seen another loner, where would she get the wolves? She sighed, and wondered, briefly, if any ofher family had, by some miracle, survived, and was anywhere near her...

Arcaii woke up and stretched, with a loud yawn. She stood up, scratched her ear, and padded down to the lake, incredibly thirsty after such a long journy without water. She saw an elk grazing nearby and scowled, knowing she would never be able to catch fresh meat- not in her condition, at least.
Quickly she took a drink and looked up again, scouring this new land. What place was there that wasn't taken? For so long, no wolf pack or any loner would let her into there den, even if only for a day. Her eyes narrowed as she remembered having to sleep in the open beside roads to just keep warm. Twice she had nearly been run over, and three times she had to run from those large, honking, steel bulls that found it so funny to try and get her. She shook her head and got another longer drink to quech her parched throat.

Moonbreeze looked up and saw another wolf.
"That makes a change..." She muttered under her breath. Still, she smiled. It was nice to see another of her kind. She debated with herself whether she should go say hi... After a few moments hesitation, the silver canine called out,
"Hey there!!"

Arcaii looked up and started at the voice. Seeing the silver she wolf, she smiled slightly, and not wanting to be rude, padded over. Dipping her head, she said, "Greetings. Am I in your territory?" Her tail immediately curled around her slightly swollen belly.

Moonbreeze smiled, and shook her head.
"As far as I'm concerned, the lake is every wolf's territory. No-one may deny another water, the thing we need most in order to survive." She blinked thoughtfully. "But if you're looking for your own territory, there is plenty of unclaimed space around."
The Canine held out a paw.
"I'm Moonbreeze, by the way. Moonbreeze Silverfrost. And you are...?"

"Arcaii Sharpthree, She-Who-Hunts-Alone." Arcaii took it and smiled. "I'm pleased to meet a pleasent wolf like you, Moonbreeze." She offered a grin, which showed her missing left top fang. "It's not very easy to-"
"ARCAII!!! Arcaii, where are you!!!" A brown wolf flew over head, his red wings beating frantically. "Arcaii?!"
Arcaii looked up and smiled. "You missed me, bro!"

Domino looked up from her hiding spot in the bushes. "This is a curious scene.." She didn't come out of her space. There was no need. She was content. She didn't feel hungry or thirsty. She was clever enough to live alone.

Wingspan alighted next to his sister and smiled at Moonbreeze. "Hello."
"This is my brother, Wingspan," Arcaii said quickly, and flicked her ear when she heard a rustle. What was that? Certianly it wasn't the wind...
She closed her eyes and suddenly she was looking at herself, Wingspan, and Moonbreeze, all standing together. She narrowed these eyes that weren't hers and then muttered under her breath, "I know you're there, wolf."
She opened her eyes again and now only saw Moonbreeze.

(When she looks throught you, if feels like icyness and you hear thoughts different from your own.)

Domino shivered. The wolf spotted her. She padded out of the protective bush."Sorry, miss, but I like being invisible to the naked eye. I'm Domino. I specialize in tactics."

Wingspan looked around in surprise, but Arcaii didn't turn around. "Hello," they said at the exact same time.

Domino walked foward. "I also specialize in camoflauge. I have no relatives or friends. Just myself."

"I know." Arcaii still didn't turn around, but closed her eyes again. She was in Wingspan, and flitted one of his wings, planning to growl at Domino.
But Wingspan snapped, of his own accord, "Get out of my head, Arcaii."

Domino looked closely. He WAS being trapped in place by Arcaii's mind controlling. She inwardly laughed. They seem fun. She wondered why the male wanted to harm her. He would NEVER win that battle and she knew it well. She wasn't sure about Arcaii. She was a good match. Maybe their mind powers matched.

Moonbreeze just sat and watched. Now that there was more of them she felt incredibly shy.
'Maybe if I say nothing, they won't notice I'm here!!' She thought, covering her face with her wing.
'I could sneak off, but they might notice...' She growled to herself in frustration.
'I'm such a wimp.' She sighed, wishing that she could go back to when she had a family, and stay in that moment forever...
But if wishes were prey, she'd never go hungry. If they made a difference, no-one would die...

Stormcloud longed wolf company, other than her aprentice Shadow. She stretched and came to the group. "Hey." She yawned. She spotted A wolf she recognised as Moonbreeze. "Hello Moonbreeze. I am Shadowcloud, the-wolf-who-never-sleeps."

"I want to speak with you in private, if that is OK." She blinked.

"Can I meet you at The Grasslands?"

Wingspan guessed what Domino was thinking, and growled, "You stay the hell away from my sister, do you got it?"
Arcaii looked over at her brother, and smiled. "No need to defend me, bro."

Domino looked into his mind. It wasn't very clear, like a foggy window. She stopped. She would never win their trust like this. She smiled. "Don't worry, I'm a better ally than a foe."
She wondered why Wingspan was so aggressive.

Wingspan looked over at Arcaii. He didn't know what she was thinking, but when he looked at Domino, he thought, What can I do... She won't leave. It's Arcaii I need to worry about.
Arcaii had her eyes closed. Deciding not to go through Domino again, she sighed. "We have no choice, Wingspan."
Wingspan twitched.
Arcaii said quietly, "Domino, I trust you." She smiled. "Happy?"

Domino looked back, her eyes betraying no emotions. "Thanks. Hey, you guys live 'round here or someting?"

Arcaii sighed. "No, we have no den for now."
Like I'll need one, with the things I'm planning, she reminded herself.