"Treading lightly."

actions - “speech” - thoughts

I've done it this time... Mother is going to be so disappointed if she finds out where I've gone. 

Yet the hell hound pup had been unable to resist the call of a gently tinkling bell that had first beckoned him to the den entrance and then out into the rain. The darkness of nightfall had begun blotting out the final slivers of light among the heavy storm clouds. He had heard it ringing a few times before, but never as clearly as tonight. 

Why did it have to be tonight? 

He continued on towards the noise, eyes closed tight and mouth drawn thin as he bowed his head against the latest wind fueled rain that drenched his fur to the bone. He thought he caught a whisper of a voice and so he quickened his pace, barreling into the darkness of unfamiliar surroundings. He had not long left the den for the first time and exploring had not been his priority in the cold world that he was born into. Yet here he was, determined to catch this noise that tormented him for nights on end.

Growling with frustration at the unknown source, he leaped forward against the elements and was sent barreling down a small hill face - tumbling into an unknown abyss that awaited below.  He had fallen into the low lands - further than most pups his age dared to travel, yet in his mind Arcas believed he had not strayed far from the old willow and so he continued his hunt for the bell - for it seemed louder to him now and he could smell something that was not from these parts.

The terrain around him shifted and changed, but the rain and cold remained persistent. Arcas was about to give up on his pursuit for want of a warm spot in the den when - Biff. His nose met something smelly and furry. The rain seemed to cease a little and Arcas opened his eyes. His gaze was met with the sight of a furry leg that held the same coloring as the skies above. The pup blinked twice and tilted his head back to look up at his find. Brown eyes stared back and the orange hellion soon realized the rain had lessened as this other creature was now blocking it's descent upon him.

He hadn't met or smelled this other hell-hound around before, but then he still had hardly met any pack members and so did not bother to think as to whether this creature would be a friend or a foe. The pup backed up and examined the other male from ears, to toes, to tail tip.  No Bell.

He sat with a huff and let the rain continue its onslaught on his fur, for the ringing noise had stopped and his hunt had been in vain. This creature was not the source of his mission. Arcas glared at the grey hell-hound with mild disdain. He had scared the bell off.

"It's not so bad out here."

actions - “speech” - thoughts

"Who goes there,"

The dark shadow that emerged from nearby startled Arcas, he wasn't able to sleep well due to constant thousand-eye nightmares that plagued him in the den. The lack of rest had left the pup more than a little twitchy around new people in unfamiliar surroundings - which was every encounter to him at the moment.

The authoritarian tone reminded him of his mother and what she would do if she knew where he was.. Or maybe she wouldn't care? The she-wolf had been less than motherly towards her brood - yet still, Arcas clinged to the hope he might snap her out of her daze. Make her proud of him somehow..

The pup pouted at the two figures that now surrounded him, and he took a few steps back away from them both. Either of them could be a threat to his mission for mothers affection - and the stupid grey one had scared the tinkly bell off.

"What are the two of you doing out here?"

The adult hellion re-adjusted his position, shielding Arcas from some of the rain. The pup tilted his head, curious about the warmth of the gesture from the stranger.

Taking advantage of the somewhat lessened down pour, the pup shook his coat off and sent water droplets flying. His fur remained sticking outwards from the motion, giving him a fluffy appearance. He hoped this made him look older and bigger than he was so these two did not think him incapable of defending himself. Really it just made him look like a cute, fluffy fur ball.

"Though I can't say what brought my new young friend out here, I was simply walking. If I am trespassing, I suppose I should apologize, must have missed the border scents in this rain. Dagan is my name, stranger, perhaps you could tell me exactly where here is?"

 Friend? Arcas frowned and gave a rumbley puppy growl, he didn't have friends. Didn't need 'em. 

Certainly not friends with big idiots who scare off the tinkly bell. Plus he's a stranger to boot! Why would anyone need friends? Especially ones like him..

Arcas thought to himself with a huff. The rain seemed to be slowing a little for the time being, so he moved a little further away from the pair of males again.

He didn't bother responding to the black and brown wolfs question, it was none of his business and Arcas was not exactly well versed on social etiquette. His mothers limited conversation and stunted affection had impacted the hell-pups development and understanding of social conduct. Plus he didn't want to run the risk of revealing too much and being scolded by mother later. 

  This guy might be a stranger too, and I'm not interested in making anymore 'friends' today.

The pup tried to re-focus his hearing to see if he could find the bell again, but it was gone - for now. He sat down, feeling disheartened, then lifted his hind leg to scratch behind his large, floppy ears and around his horn nubs. He was interested to hear how the exchange of words progressed, mother wasn't a teacher and this stuff sounded like it could be fun.  What were these two doing out here anyway? 

I wonder if these two heard the bell too and came looking for it..

If they had maybe he could finally get some answers, as when he had asked his family about the bell they had all denied hearing it! 

Deaf and dumb... especially the freaks with three eyes. 

The pup relaxed a little knowing he was away from them all, with no chance of any having followed him through the weather. This was.. his first big outing without being tailed by those weirdos. The thought dawned on the pup and his pout became a snaggle toothed grin.

Suddenly the weather didn't bother him as much, the stress of the situation melted away and he almost laughed for the first time.. almost. At ease with his situation he gave a satisfied yawn, then half cocked an ear forward and one back as he continued observing the two adults. They didn't have three eyes either, so they were.. normal. This was not so bad.

"Screw this noise."

actions - “speech” - thoughts

"I understand missing the border markings, You have crossed into the borders of the Gemini pack." 

The pups excitement was quickly diminished by the simple statement. Arcas perked his ears up and his jaw dropped open.  In his mind he had been heading north-bound, further into the pack lands. Not that he knew directions or what areas were which yet. 

I'm near the borders? No way I went that far!! The twinkling noise must have transported me or something...

While he mulled this over the conversation around him continued on. 

At this point you have two options, wait out the storm and leave when it settles," 

The pup, still reeling over the realization of his location, hoped the storm would cease immediately so the new comer could be on his way.  Then the twinkly bell would return and Arcas could use it to transport himself back to near the den and away from the other dark coloured wolf that had yet to give an introduction. The bell being magical was the only explanation the pup had settled on, as he couldn't fathom the reality that he had somehow clumsily loafed his way through stormy weather and into the lowlands. 

"or you can become a member of the pack if it's something you desire. Be warned though, we don't tolerate traitors."

Lightening cracked across the sky again and a rolling, boom of thunder soon followed. The storm was worsening and the loud noises and bright flashes sent the pup skittering for cover. There were only two objects nearby for shelter - and he chose the one that had already protected him once from the rain. The little hellion dove underneath the larger, grey male adult who had called himself Dagan. Arcas nested himself under the males chest area, just behind the front legs. He peered out from his position to glare at the angry skies above.

While he didn't want the bell-scaring male to agree to become a member of the pack, the pup also still liked him better than the other brown-black barking yap yap. The rain came bucketing down again and the pup became grumbly as cold and exhaustion chilled his body. Adrenaline and curiosity had kept him fueled for his journey to find the interesting noise. Yet these energy-giving resources had now ebbed away, and the pups body was not used to longer trips as he had only left the den less than a week ago.

"I will be escorting you back to your family den after this matter is settled."

 Arcas cast a withering, angry look in the males direction. His tail twitched with annoyance and ears fell back as another rumbly growl escaped the youngster. There was no way this guy was going to let his mother, or anyone else, know where he'd been.  The pups advantage was his scrawny size, he had already decided to slip away later - some where that they would be too big to follow him. Then he would make the rest of the way back to his den by himself.

I'll ditch these idiots just as soon as I've got my bearings... 

Another clap of thunder echoed across the sky and Arcas, trembling, shoved his face into the leg of his shelter-providing 'friend'. It was time to move and get out of the elements. The pup was now tired, hungry and grumpy. The excitement of the situation had worn off and he had to get back towards the pack lands, back towards the den, so that he could rest after the eventful outing and re-think of a new strategy to catch the tricky, twinkly bell noise.

His fur had now gone flat, clinging to skin and making him look like a drowned rat. The ground below him had turned soft and squishy, almost as if the water was unable to drain away. Slush covered the pups paws and, as rain continued to bucket down, it seemed to be worsening. The pup looked up at Dagan with small, tired blue eyes. Had the other hell-hound noticed the change in the ground too?

"Mission Unsuccessful."

actions - “speech” - thoughts

Arcas just managed to stifle a yawn as the adults exchanged conversation regarding the next plan of action. It sounded like a lengthy walk was to commence in order to find shelter, and the little hellion pup loathed the thought. As much as he hated his siblings, he was missing the warmth and familiarity of the den. He started trying to chart out a course in his mind to make his way back.

There was no way he could rely on familiar smells and tracking, as the storm had washed away all traces of his path and distorted his surroundings. There was also the problem of what the big brown-black wolf had said.. If they were indeed by the border then Arcas was not familiar with the trails back to access the pack lands. However if they were lying to confuse him then the pup knew some familiar landmarks to the north and if he headed towards where he thought them to be then maybe he could find his own way back.

His brain became fuzzy trying to weigh up the options. The thought of a milky meal began to prioritize itself in his mind, and as he sat in this muddied daze he hardly had time to comprehend what happened as the earth below him sank away and the surroundings began to move of their own accord. A familiar swaying sensation proceeded, lulling the pup into a half asleep trance.

Perhaps if he had more energy he would have realized the predicament he was in. A small body of meat being gently carried above sodden grass and muddy earth. He was entirely at the mercy of the larger hellion that now carried him, yet he couldn't find the strength to worry. The pup dozed as the two adults made their way to the safety of a hollowed tree - the storm around raged on but Arcas paid it little attention now.

The short nap came to an end as his carrier deposited the pup in the dried out hollow of the chosen tree. Arcas blinked a few times and looked around dozily as he regained consciousness from his sleepy haze. The dry area carried the heavy scent of his homeland and, after a few more blinks, he began to gather his bearings. The pup knew this place, his family den lay just a short way through the forest and off to the right. His siblings and himself had all stumbled to this tree with mother once, when she had began to encourage their exploring.

Giving another yawn the pup stood, stretched, and shook off the water from his coat. The rain continued pouring outside the safety of the tree, and another flash of lightening lit up the forest around them. Arcas gave a shudder, he would wait for the storm to break before he made his escape from the 'babysitters'. The tree was much warmer and would allow him some time to gain the energy needed to slip away.

His mind was starting to work again now and the pup soon realized he had been in the disgusting mouth of the 'friend'. Feeling indignant about being lugged around like a dead rabbit, Arcas threw the grey hellion a dirty look. There would be no trace of a thank you here. The pup fell to the ground in a huff and began rolling around in the dirt inside the tree base - eagerly trying to wipe off the slobber of the stinky hell beast.

The two adults began discussing Gemini and the newcomer seemed interested in knowing what others resided in the homelands. Arcas continued his dirt bath, an ear half cocked in interest. He hadn't met too many pack members outside of the den yet. His lack of interaction meant he didn't know that others took appearances into consideration, and that his kind could be considered different from the rest. It was a young mind, filled with young thoughts. Everyone was just who they were and that's how it was in his head. Except the three eyed freaks... Or anything with multiple eyes. The pups mouth pulled up in disgust at the thought and he remembered why he hadn't minded the howling storm as much as the home den.

Finishing up his time in the dirt, Arcas was satisfied that the stinky drool was no longer on him. So the pup stood and shook off again, sending speckles of dirt and mud flying around the den. His stained coat puffed up, leaving his cheek fluff standing on end and giving him a pouty looking face. The tree didn't leave much space to get away from the adults - so Arcas joined them. Sitting right in the middle and tilting his head between the two parties as they talked.

He half remembered that while he was dozing, the brown black one had introduced itself as Necros.

Dagan and Necros...

So now he knew them both by name. He thought about what his mother had said regarding it not being safe to talk to strangers. 

I know their names though... that means I know them and they're not strangers?

He pondered this for a while before concluding he was right, you can't be strangers if you know their name. What was in a name though? If he gave his name to them then would they be able to use it to dob him in later? Arcas also knew that strangers were bad though.. He didn't want to be bad, his mother wouldn't like that and it would get him into even more trouble with her if he was a bad stranger.

Giving a nod of decisiveness the pup figured he better introduce himself or they wouldn't talk to him since he was a bad stranger. Without waiting for a pause in conversation, he randomly barked out loudly.

“ARCAS.”

Pleased with his contribution, he wagged his tail and tilted his head back to look up at both of the adults. He had a dorky smile, fur standing on end and mud caked into his coat. A twig had worked its way into his little mo-hawk and was sticking out at an odd angle - only adding to his disheveled appearance. His mission for the twinkly sound had been a failure, maybe it had led him here since it wanted him to meet these two though? For now the pup was just proud not to be a 'bad stranger' and would not have his adventure sullied so early on in the night of the storm!

[OOC: Aaaand that's Arcas done! Enjoy the acceptance thread guys and thanks for the adventure! ;D EDITED: Lolol guess the puppy play continues! Glad you're enjoying Arcas being a pouty floof ~]  

"The tree is alive!"

actions - “speech” - thoughts

As the pup waited for the two adults to acknowledge him, a cold breeze burst through into the tree. The chill set the pups fur on edge and a shiver shook his body to the core. Giving a yip of displeasure he sprung to his feet and went skittering away from the entrance and the adults, leaving a little dust cloud in his wake.

Taking refuge behind a gnarled root in the tree, he settled in like a cornered cat. Glaring outwards to the weather as it raged on. Another reminder of why he found it stupid mother had made them leave the den. Focused on his disdain for the storm outside, he hadn't noticed the ant nest underneath his tail.

Stupid weather... stupid outside world.. stupid.. ITCHES!!!

Giving a yap of indignation, the orange and black spun around and leaped into action. Gnawing intensely at the fur on his rump, little fangs desperately scratching a sudden itch that had crept up on him. Tiny black ants were sent flying from the pups backside, they had not taken kindly to sharing their space with the cold youngster.

Arcas was not about to be beaten by something so small and began to smack at the ants with his paws. The game of whack-a-mole was one sided, big puppy paws flailed around at speed - squishing the trails of ants in groups and leaving them half alive, writhing in the dirt. While the massacre raged on, more ants trailed out from the nest, enraged at the death of their colony members. The sheer number of insects had Arcas' head darting left and right, trying to keep track of them while he smacked the new arrivals into the corpses of their dying comrades.

The battle raged on and the ants kept streaming from their mound, tiny black pincers scissoring back and forth in a threat to their large opponent. Exhausted from the enslaught and bored from his game, the hell pup backed away from the gnarled root. Hair still bristling and growling at his tiny foes. As he moved away the ants settled down and began collecting the bodies of their fallen - taking them back into the nest to recycle them as food for the young.

Another cold breeze lurched through the hollowed out tree and Arcas snapped his attention back to the storm and cold that raged around outside their little safe haven. The tree gave a loud creak as the wind slammed the side and the pups head snapped skywards to examine their shelter. His family den never made noises like this and the creaks set the puppy back on edge.

Unable to decide what else could be done, the pup started yapping and barking at the roof. Growling and trying to back away from the noise, tail and hackles bristling in defense mode. Not paying attention to his surroundings, the puppies rump butted into the sentry. Shocked by the unexpected sensation of fur on fur, Arcas spun around and started snapping at the unknown threat - his eyes closed tightly and ears flat against fur. If he made any contact with flesh, tiny puppy teeth would be nothing more than an annoying gumming action to the adults.

On edge from the lack of sleep and the unfamiliar surroundings, the hell pup thrashed around at the unknown threat.

The adults can fend for themselves, I'm gonna get this thing!

Another strong wind howled through the tree, a much louder moan and creak echoing from its old branches. Arcas hissed and spit, eyes snapping open so he could better attack the strange noise and anomaly. This was nothing like the tinkling bell, this presence seemed ominous and the hellions head spun in all directions as he tried to find his target in the enclosed space. Everything in here was after him! Out to attack him! Unable to see his foe the pup yapped again at the ceiling, glaring angrily at the tree that would not be silent.

Unable to see his target, he once again accepted defeat.

Someone else can deal with this guy!

He spun around to the adults and weighed up his two options, this time he chose to dive for the larger of the two semi-familiar animals. Surely his size would make him better at fighting the loud and fearsome foe. Blue eyes locked on his target and Arcas went barreling towards Necros, intending to jump into the gap between the males four paws. The pup was unaware he had just been snapping at his intended shelter. Would the sentry let the little orange and black ball so close to his vital organs after an 'attack'?