It had been enough time now. Amir had waited until the results of his last Park visit had been cleared away to venture back out into that area. Now, on the other side of the park, he noted the heavier, more recent scents of wolves passing through more frequently.
It gave him some satisfaction to know his work had been noticed and appreciated. Apparently they'd been looking for him, although he wondered if they knew exactly what they were looking for. He'd been pretty careful, after all. Eventually he would draw them out. eventually he'd get the one he wanted.
Sure - there were other ways to accomplish that task, but this was the one he had chosen. He wanted them off-balance. He wanted him angry. Most of all, he wanted them to know exactly how serious he was.
Padding lightly through the wooded area, noting the different scents but not following any one in particular, Amir suddenly came into sight of one of them. It must have smelled him coming; it was upwind of him. Amir froze for one moment, half-hidden by the trunk of a tree, immediately crouching down and pinning his ears back. He wasn't sure if it had seen him, so he waited to see what would happen.
Missed boundaries
The night was growing later than he knew. So absorbed in covering every inch of the Long Run, Jesse eventually shifted, and re-ran it in wolf form to take advantage of his keen senses. Unfortunately, whenever he was in his altered state, Jesse often ran the risk of getting distracted from his goals, and would find himself having wandered far afield. But since he'd scoured the Long Run area earlier, he felt he was safe if that came to pass tonight.
And, it did. Before long he was padding over the pine needles that covered an section of the park. The outer ring of trees surrounding the park provided a vast area of seclusion for whatever might seek it, and tonight Jesse appreciated the quiet even more.
Since he'd been in Nachton, the young wolf had more on his mind than he ever had in his life. Beyond the obvious changes in his lifestyle, moving off the streets, and into a more conventional dwelling, he was also dealing with the fact that he was in almost constant contact with people now. He was glad to see he could manage to fit in with some of the smaller pack activities, and was having no problem relating to Jillian on a one to one basis, but after several days of being with people he also found a break was necessary. If he wasn't able to get away like he was tonight, he doubted he could continue to remain under the Den roof. But these respites helped tremendously.
Sauntering through the woods, his eyes, ears, and nose were ever on the alert. Besides still being concerned with recent events, self preservation was something Jesse had lived with for so long, it was second nature. He didn't even consciously have to think about being aware any more. He just was.
Sounds changed then, and off to his right there was movement. The young wolf stopped in his tracks, and sniffed. He was downwind of whatever was intruding on his evening, but he didn't recognize the scent at all. Dropping silently to the softly padded dirt floor, Jesse waited. The sound was approaching him, so he sat poised, and ready.
Amir
15 years ago
Jesse
15 years ago
When the animal stopped, and didn't seem inclined to move closer, Jesse slowly stood. Putting one paw forward, the other three followed until he was moving excruciatingly slowly, but moving none the less. Whatever he was approaching was behind a tree, and Jesse wasn't able to determine what exactly that other animal was. But because of his unusual size, when compared to your average dog or wolf, Jesse wasn't concerned either.
From the noises being made, weighty steps, and the little Jesse could see in outline, it probably was a dog, or wolf. Pausing, he waited again, hoping the animal would show itself.
Jesse had expected it to bolt, and make a run away from him, and when that didn't happen he wondered. It wasn't like your run of the mill dog or wolf to hide away, not for any length of time anyway. Was this one considering Jesse to be a threat he might not be able to out run? Was the other animal considering anything? Jesse moved forward yet again, and when he got close enough to see a better outline of the shadowed animal, he corrected his earlier impression. This animal was considerably smaller than Jesse, and smaller than the local wolves. It could have been a wild dog, but a domestic dog was ruled out due to the creature's cautious actions.
The stillness in the air halted Jesse's progression again. What was the animal waiting for? Should Jesse make a mad dash himself, and try to flush out the mystery animal? The young were was torn.
From the noises being made, weighty steps, and the little Jesse could see in outline, it probably was a dog, or wolf. Pausing, he waited again, hoping the animal would show itself.
Jesse had expected it to bolt, and make a run away from him, and when that didn't happen he wondered. It wasn't like your run of the mill dog or wolf to hide away, not for any length of time anyway. Was this one considering Jesse to be a threat he might not be able to out run? Was the other animal considering anything? Jesse moved forward yet again, and when he got close enough to see a better outline of the shadowed animal, he corrected his earlier impression. This animal was considerably smaller than Jesse, and smaller than the local wolves. It could have been a wild dog, but a domestic dog was ruled out due to the creature's cautious actions.
The stillness in the air halted Jesse's progression again. What was the animal waiting for? Should Jesse make a mad dash himself, and try to flush out the mystery animal? The young were was torn.
Amir
15 years ago
Amir waited as the other one came closer. The wind shifted and he caught the scent, but he didn't need it to identify what it was he'd seen. He carefully weighed his options. He wasn't particularly ready for another confrontation like the last, and there was reason for caution here. He was mostly recovered from his last round with the wolves but he didn't want to take a chance on his newly-healed shoulder.
He'd mostly come out to track, to leave scent, and to taunt. So, perhaps the last option would be the best. Without trying to be silent or secretive, Amir threw his head back to the moon and let out a long, piercing cry. It was completely alien to the world of wolf-howling, which was melodic and quite pretty. Jackal cries tended to be much eerier, in Amir's opinion. They never howled though, in spite of being quite vocal.
As his animal voice split the air he lowered his chin, glanced at the slow-moving wolf, and then bounded out from behind his tree, leaping with agility over fallen logs and wooded debris as he came to a stop on top of a half-rotted stump several yards away.
Silhouetted by the half-moon above, he let out a riotous chorus of yaps and sharp hoots, a reprise of the jackal-laugh he had used weeks before.
He'd mostly come out to track, to leave scent, and to taunt. So, perhaps the last option would be the best. Without trying to be silent or secretive, Amir threw his head back to the moon and let out a long, piercing cry. It was completely alien to the world of wolf-howling, which was melodic and quite pretty. Jackal cries tended to be much eerier, in Amir's opinion. They never howled though, in spite of being quite vocal.
As his animal voice split the air he lowered his chin, glanced at the slow-moving wolf, and then bounded out from behind his tree, leaping with agility over fallen logs and wooded debris as he came to a stop on top of a half-rotted stump several yards away.
Silhouetted by the half-moon above, he let out a riotous chorus of yaps and sharp hoots, a reprise of the jackal-laugh he had used weeks before.
Jesse
15 years ago
The sound that disturbed the nearly silent night air gave Jesse goosebumps...or would have if he had been human. None the less, it was unlike any sound he had ever heard before, and just added to the mystery, rather than provide any clues. What was this animal that he had come upon, here in Nachton?
So transfixed was he by the sound, Jesse nearly toppled backwards in surprise when the animal bounded toward him, stopping short of coming within what the young were might have considered a truly threatening distance.
Righting himself, Jesse let loose with a loud howl, head also tilted toward the moon, almost instinctively. Lowering his head he then peered into the night and tried to discern just what it was that faced him.
Had the other animal smelled like a dog or wolf, Jesse would have chalked it up to just that, albeit smaller than any Kadzait Jesse knew. But the animal did not smell of a dog or wolf, or even any fox Jesse had come into contact with. He was definitely perplexed.
Lowering his head, ears flattened, Jesse began a low and menacing growl, bracing himself for the possibility of attack. He had several pounds on the other animal, and would not be backing down. If a fight ensued, and Jesse found the other animal had some ability to make up for his lack in size, Jesse would have no qualms about turning tail and departing. He was a lot more concerned with his own preservation to worry about pride. But for now he would stand his ground.
So transfixed was he by the sound, Jesse nearly toppled backwards in surprise when the animal bounded toward him, stopping short of coming within what the young were might have considered a truly threatening distance.
Righting himself, Jesse let loose with a loud howl, head also tilted toward the moon, almost instinctively. Lowering his head he then peered into the night and tried to discern just what it was that faced him.
Had the other animal smelled like a dog or wolf, Jesse would have chalked it up to just that, albeit smaller than any Kadzait Jesse knew. But the animal did not smell of a dog or wolf, or even any fox Jesse had come into contact with. He was definitely perplexed.
Lowering his head, ears flattened, Jesse began a low and menacing growl, bracing himself for the possibility of attack. He had several pounds on the other animal, and would not be backing down. If a fight ensued, and Jesse found the other animal had some ability to make up for his lack in size, Jesse would have no qualms about turning tail and departing. He was a lot more concerned with his own preservation to worry about pride. But for now he would stand his ground.
Amir
15 years ago
Amir waited patiently perched on the old stump. This wolf didn't seem to know how to handle him and he could very nearly smell the indecision. Was he a threat? Was he a friend?
Amir would have laughed if he was capable of it in this form, but the closest he could get were the typical jackal taps and hoots. Yes, what am I? He thought back. He very much doubted any of them knew what a jackal was. He was even more doubtful that any of the wolves suspected he could be a shapeshifter.
Still he couldn't afford to be too arrogant. Now wasn't the time to flex his ego. So he flattened his ears to the sides and dipped his head. As far as predator communication went it wasn't really a sign of submission so much as an indication that he meant no harm.
A small movement off to the right caught his eye - a rabbit dashing put of its cover. Amir turned and crouched as if about to give chase but the rabbit was long gone. He fussed at the strange wolf in a series of short yips and whines, presumably unhappy that his dinner had gotten away.
Let him assume for now that Amir was an odd-looking dog. Or something. That was fine with him for tonight. He could play some more later.
Amir would have laughed if he was capable of it in this form, but the closest he could get were the typical jackal taps and hoots. Yes, what am I? He thought back. He very much doubted any of them knew what a jackal was. He was even more doubtful that any of the wolves suspected he could be a shapeshifter.
Still he couldn't afford to be too arrogant. Now wasn't the time to flex his ego. So he flattened his ears to the sides and dipped his head. As far as predator communication went it wasn't really a sign of submission so much as an indication that he meant no harm.
A small movement off to the right caught his eye - a rabbit dashing put of its cover. Amir turned and crouched as if about to give chase but the rabbit was long gone. He fussed at the strange wolf in a series of short yips and whines, presumably unhappy that his dinner had gotten away.
Let him assume for now that Amir was an odd-looking dog. Or something. That was fine with him for tonight. He could play some more later.
Jesse
15 years ago
He just couldn't figure this animal out, so he quit trying. For now he continued to watch, and when the rabbit darted out away from the hyena, or whatever it was, Jesse rose, but stood where he was. Did they have hyenas in the US?
If Jesse could have laughed he would have when the animal began his tirade of yips. If he didn't know better, Jesse might have thought the other canine was giving him hell for the loss of the rabbit. But Jesse didn't understand if the animal wanted the rabbit, why didn't it give chase. Did it consider Jesse more interesting? That didn't seem likely.
Deciding now that the center of Jesse's current attention wasn't going to be any kind of threat, Jesse further figured he might as well move along. He'd seek out Xeph when he got back to the den, and see if the alpha knew of any strange types of canines in the area, and what it might be. It was also Jesse's job to report such anomalies to his leader, even though it wasn't anything he'd found in the Long Run. It would just make Jesse feel better knowing someone else knew about this creature. He didn't like carrying all that responsibility.
And hopefully Xeph would have a simple explanation that would relieve Jesse's concerns.
Giving a final howl, head thrown back to the moon, Jesse quickly lowered his head, protecting his neck, and turned. Slowly he began walking away from the animal, but did so in a parallel route, not wanting to turn his back completely.
If Jesse could have laughed he would have when the animal began his tirade of yips. If he didn't know better, Jesse might have thought the other canine was giving him hell for the loss of the rabbit. But Jesse didn't understand if the animal wanted the rabbit, why didn't it give chase. Did it consider Jesse more interesting? That didn't seem likely.
Deciding now that the center of Jesse's current attention wasn't going to be any kind of threat, Jesse further figured he might as well move along. He'd seek out Xeph when he got back to the den, and see if the alpha knew of any strange types of canines in the area, and what it might be. It was also Jesse's job to report such anomalies to his leader, even though it wasn't anything he'd found in the Long Run. It would just make Jesse feel better knowing someone else knew about this creature. He didn't like carrying all that responsibility.
And hopefully Xeph would have a simple explanation that would relieve Jesse's concerns.
Giving a final howl, head thrown back to the moon, Jesse quickly lowered his head, protecting his neck, and turned. Slowly he began walking away from the animal, but did so in a parallel route, not wanting to turn his back completely.
Amir
15 years ago
Amir grew silent again as the stranger howled at him and headed away. He was tempted to run at him; he wanted to test himself again. His purpose was different tonight though.
Pacing the other wolf and making no attempt to be even remotely quiet, Amir quelled his rising temper until they lost sight of each other. He needed no excuse to be irritable; just the presence of the wolves here, so close to the city, was offensive.
His messages were being received though; he knew that much. Before long it would be time to have a chat with Xephier himself. And a good thing too... it was time to inform the son that he was no better than the father.
((ooc: Amir out))
Pacing the other wolf and making no attempt to be even remotely quiet, Amir quelled his rising temper until they lost sight of each other. He needed no excuse to be irritable; just the presence of the wolves here, so close to the city, was offensive.
His messages were being received though; he knew that much. Before long it would be time to have a chat with Xephier himself. And a good thing too... it was time to inform the son that he was no better than the father.
((ooc: Amir out))
Jesse
15 years ago
As the distance between them grew, Jesse's speed increased and he turned toward home. He was only mildly concerned now for his safety, growing braver with each step.
By the time he reached the outer perimeter of the Long Run, Jesse had convinced himself that the animal was probably just some smaller breed of wolf, or dog that he wasn't familiar with, and his anxieties were unfounded. Not that he was going to let it go, as he was still going to talk to the pack alpha, but he no longer felt it imperative to do so immediately.
Instead he planned to call Jillian, and see if she could help him perhaps locate what kind of animal he'd run into, with the use of her laptop and the internet. It would be a good idea, he considered, to have as much information as he could find when he visited Xeph. No reason to go to the man and sound like a goof. He needed to build a good reputation within the pack, and proving he had the ability to present thorough and accurate information was a good way to start.
Besides, he hated that he wasn't sure just what it had been that had confronted him in the woods.
By the time he reached the outer perimeter of the Long Run, Jesse had convinced himself that the animal was probably just some smaller breed of wolf, or dog that he wasn't familiar with, and his anxieties were unfounded. Not that he was going to let it go, as he was still going to talk to the pack alpha, but he no longer felt it imperative to do so immediately.
Instead he planned to call Jillian, and see if she could help him perhaps locate what kind of animal he'd run into, with the use of her laptop and the internet. It would be a good idea, he considered, to have as much information as he could find when he visited Xeph. No reason to go to the man and sound like a goof. He needed to build a good reputation within the pack, and proving he had the ability to present thorough and accurate information was a good way to start.
Besides, he hated that he wasn't sure just what it had been that had confronted him in the woods.
Jillian
15 years ago
He had said he wasn't sure when he'd get home, though Jillian had been staying up every night to have coffee with Jesse after his shift. She used the evenings to study, and since her classes all started rather late in the mornings, it worked out fine for her. But tonight Jesse mentioned something about 'going wild', and Jillian knew he could forget the time whenever he shifted, and went out into the night. None the less, again she was sitting on the sofa, half catching The Late Show, and half just staring out over her patio and into the night, waiting.
When her cell phone started playing Chasing Cars, Jillian jumped up and grabbed it off the coffee table, listening for the male voice that had become rapidly familiar and regular in her life. The action caused her clothes to become somewhat disheveled, and she thought perhaps she might not want to wear the outfit she currently had on when she saw Jesse next. It wasn't the most modest of ensembles she had available.
"Hey Jesse. Got done early after all, huh? Coming over?"
Pulling her soft terry sweat pants up to where they rested low on her hips, and her matching tank top down to close the gap some, Jillian plopped back down on the sofa, and curled her legs beneath her. For a few seconds she mentally chastised herself for becoming so easily excited by the man's voice, and then she was lost again in the magic he seemed to wield around her.
When her cell phone started playing Chasing Cars, Jillian jumped up and grabbed it off the coffee table, listening for the male voice that had become rapidly familiar and regular in her life. The action caused her clothes to become somewhat disheveled, and she thought perhaps she might not want to wear the outfit she currently had on when she saw Jesse next. It wasn't the most modest of ensembles she had available.
"Hey Jesse. Got done early after all, huh? Coming over?"
Pulling her soft terry sweat pants up to where they rested low on her hips, and her matching tank top down to close the gap some, Jillian plopped back down on the sofa, and curled her legs beneath her. For a few seconds she mentally chastised herself for becoming so easily excited by the man's voice, and then she was lost again in the magic he seemed to wield around her.
Jesse
15 years ago
The young man grinned, and held his breath right after he greeted the girl on the other end of his cell phone. He was learning that whenever he greeted Jillian he needed to wait a couple seconds to give her time to respond. It was as if she was always full of things to say, and once she had the opportunity to get them out, conversing was always much easier.
Not that he minded, and in fact found it one of her most endearing traits.
"I did get done earlier than I expected, though I would have been back even earlier if I hadn't run into something really strange off pack property.
I was wondering if I could come over and tell you about it? I also wanted to know if you could help me check out some things on the internet. But I'll explain further shortly. I'm going to shower, then be right over, okay?"
A quick shower and clean clothes and he'd feel a lot better, refreshed, and ready to go. The water in the shower was already going, warming up.
Not that he minded, and in fact found it one of her most endearing traits.
"I did get done earlier than I expected, though I would have been back even earlier if I hadn't run into something really strange off pack property.
I was wondering if I could come over and tell you about it? I also wanted to know if you could help me check out some things on the internet. But I'll explain further shortly. I'm going to shower, then be right over, okay?"
A quick shower and clean clothes and he'd feel a lot better, refreshed, and ready to go. The water in the shower was already going, warming up.
Jillian
15 years ago
Jillian answered the door with a mug of hot mocha, and handed it to Jesse. Once she knew he liked them, she often made one for him if he happened by in the evening or early morning hours. She enjoyed them too, preferring the sweet softening effect the chocolate had on coffee. In fact, it was only after she found out about mochas that she decided she liked the taste of coffee at all.
Once he arrived they went straight to her laptop, and sat down to peruse the internet. From Jesse's description they looked at a pretty good size variety of canine type animals, but never did find the one that looked exactly like what he had seen in the park.
With the little skills she had in photo-shopping, some how Jillian managed to put together a creature that Jesse swore looked just like the one he had run into, and after a bit of modification they printed out a copy. It looked vaguely familiar to Jillian, but not enough to bring the animal's name to mind.
"Maybe once we show this to Xeph, he'll know what you were up against. I'm just thankful the animal was smaller than you, and that it wasn't unnecessarily aggressive."
Stopping herself before she sounded obsessed, Jillian quietly thanked the fates that nothing untoward had occurred.
"Shall we meet up early tomorrow and try to catch Xeph at breakfast, before I have to be at school? Or did you want to sleep in?"
Though Jesse was a self admitted early riser, because he wasn't required to get up early, Jillian often teased him about it.
Once he arrived they went straight to her laptop, and sat down to peruse the internet. From Jesse's description they looked at a pretty good size variety of canine type animals, but never did find the one that looked exactly like what he had seen in the park.
With the little skills she had in photo-shopping, some how Jillian managed to put together a creature that Jesse swore looked just like the one he had run into, and after a bit of modification they printed out a copy. It looked vaguely familiar to Jillian, but not enough to bring the animal's name to mind.
"Maybe once we show this to Xeph, he'll know what you were up against. I'm just thankful the animal was smaller than you, and that it wasn't unnecessarily aggressive."
Stopping herself before she sounded obsessed, Jillian quietly thanked the fates that nothing untoward had occurred.
"Shall we meet up early tomorrow and try to catch Xeph at breakfast, before I have to be at school? Or did you want to sleep in?"
Though Jesse was a self admitted early riser, because he wasn't required to get up early, Jillian often teased him about it.