exhaustion

[Kikala]

<sup>A small, scrawny femme padded towards the lake. The smell of fresh water seemed to already give her a bit more energy. Her limbs were stiff and tired from wandering around for so long. _{Just a few more steps}, she thought to herself. Finally, her red eyes spotted the water. For a moment, the thought crossed her mind that she might be hallucinating from the lack of food and water. She shook her head, _{Might as well try...} The thought had not crossed her mind, that she had been trespassing on a land that belonged to some other pack of wolves.

Talking a few more steps, she finally reached the waters edge. Slowly, she leaned her head forward and took a few large gulps of water. The water was so refreshing. It flowed through her body and she already felt a bit more energy then she had before. With a slight sigh she stretched her tired limbs and found some shade to lay under. With a slight yawn she closed her eyes for a few moments, knowing it more then likely was not the best idea to be falling asleep in unknown territory, but she thought that maybe her words might be able to get her out of another sticky situation. Otherwise, it would be time for another beating, which her body had gotten quite used to by now.

After a few moments, and finally deciding she probably should not sleep she laid there, her eyes open, and just resting. A bird chirped in the distance, and the small femme licked her lips, hunger was beginning to set it, but she was too tired to even get up. She signed and rolled over, looking straight into the sky. It had been raining the past few days, so this was a rare day indeed. The clouds seemed to be dotted across the sky, the sun shining happily behind then. As she stared into the sky, she felt tears well into her eyes. Growling slightly she turned back over, and put her head between her paws. "What is wrong with me?" She winced slightly from the pain of her muscles, "Why can't I just forget about my past?"</sup>

[Deleted]

.P R O S P E R.

Crunch. Crunch Dead leaves shattered into pieces as pressure was added onto them. The thin, delicate material was in the path of a wolf. The male was still in these lands, these lands of Nami due to his last meeting. A meeting with a female named Taeliin. They'd parted ways not too far from here. Just down the south coast of the lake. It was nice meeting other wolves, and those wolves were always pleased to see the king. Quite a privilege both to them, and himself.

A voice waved into the male's pricked ears. The sound echoed on his eardrum and his brain thought it over, the voice seemed... Depressed, almost. Distressed in some contexts. Orange eyes rolled in their sockets as Prosper, king of Kidva, searched the landscape. Nothing within view yet. A few more lopes around the corner brought a sight into range, however. A female. Yes, lying beside the lake with her head between her two front mitts. She had a scruffy look to her, but that didn't hide her beauty.

Prosper stepped foreward from behind the trees, letting his banner hang loosely at his hocks. Not a word escaped him. Yet.

[/blockquote]

.RICH IN SPIRIT.

[Kikala]

<sup>The ears of the scruffy femme perked on the top of her head. Her nose twitched slightly as she sniffed the air, catching the scent of another. She mentally groaned. I guess this is claimed territory, she thought to herself and winced again when her muscled shot pain threw her as she stood up. Keeping her head low, she scanned the area with her blood red eyes, finally spotting the male. Her eyes widened slightly and then she forced them back to the ground.

Paws tripped over themselves as the femme backed into the tree nervously. With a quick gesture from her front paw, she batted away the remaining tears still lingering on her cheeks. She put on a smile, best she could, but for once, she was almost too afraid to make it look real. Thoughts lingered in her head of past run ins with other wolves. Mostly male, who seemed to only want one thing. When she didn't give it to them, they attacked. She was almost at the point of giving in. Kikala knew not of how much more she could take. Another attack and all that would be left to look at is a mangled corpse of a small wolf.

Finally, she decided, putting up the best front she could, she did her best and straightened her body. Raising her head only enough so that her eyes could see him. The femme took a few steps forward, keeping a bit of a distance though. Lips parted as she finally spoke, in a soft and tired voice, "Greetings, sir." She dipped in a small bow, "I must apologize, I was not aware someone else was here." She winced again as pain shot up her left back leg, where not too long ago she had been bitten by another male.</sup>

[Deleted]

.P R O S P E R.

Prosper gave a warm smile and slowly shook his cranium in a side to side motion. Dismissing the fact that she was apologetic. There was no need for that. Still not speaking a word, the brute took a few more steps foreward, laying down beside the lake so that his front mitts soaked in the transparent liquid. He inhaled deeply, taking in all of the scents and smells around him, he then breathed out again, releasing the air so that it formed a small cloud of water vapor, which then vanished once more. The chill air encrusted the male's pelt with cold. But the thickness kept the warm out. This wolf, he adored nature.

Prosper closed his orange optics for a few seconds, becoming one with nature, before shifting his gaze back over to the petite female. She'd given him a small bow, so he himself lowered his head in respect to her. He felt that everyone should be treated the same. He looked up at her once more, and gave his banner a quick flick. Inviting her over beside him. Not being one for words, he let only a few words escape his maw.

"Beautiful, isn't it?"

[/blockquote]

.RICH IN SPIRIT.

[Kikala]

<sup>The femme blinked, not truly understanding what had just happened. This brute seemed different then the one's she usually met while wandering around the forests around the area. Her red eyes stared at him, wondering what exactly what was going on in his head. She gave a startled jerk as he inclined his head toward her. The small head of the femme tilted slightly to one side when he had gestured for Kikala to join him. Unusual indeed. They did not even know each other, and he was already being so kind. Her red orbs glanced towards the lake before finally resting back on the brute.

Finally, her mind had reached the decision to join him. Slowly padding closer to him and the waters edge, her ears perked as he spoke. Once again, she scanned the land around her with blood red eyes. A smile smile spread across her mind, it was easier to fake the smile now, the depression she had been feeling, all the sadness, seemed to have escaped her mind for the moment.

For the moment, she stood, staring at the lake, until she finally spoke, "Yes, I suppose it is." Her tones were a bit different then they had been before, soft, yes, but not as sad. Red eyes widened when she realized something. Her head turned quickly back to the male and she smiled again, "I apologize, I have not even introduced myself." She paused for a moment or two before continuing, "I am called Kikala." She inclined her head in a sort of bow, then raised it again.</sup>

[Deleted]

.P R O S P E R.

Golden-orange optics fixed on the tanned female for a moment. She seemed surprised at Prosper's reaction. Unable to figure out on what he should say about the matter, he merely shook the thoughts off with a grin. It was best not to ask. He turned his head back out to the lake.

A few dragonflies danced on the lake's surface, each one bearing a different colour along it's lengthy abdomen. Their delicate wings beat with such speed that nothing but blurs were visible. A faint buzzing sound could be heard, among the many other sounds around the two canines. Frogs croaking, birds chirping and even the west wind blowing leaves across the forest floor. It was... Peaceful.

"I apologize, I have not even introduced myself. I am called Kikala."
Prosper's audits twitched, rotating atop his crania to catch the few spilled words. Keeping his gaze out towards the lake, he nodded silently. Accepting the information. Flicking his banner against the leaves, he replied with the only polite answer.

"I also apologize, Kikala. I am Prosper. What brings you to the lands of Nami?"

[/blockquote]

.RICH IN SPIRIT.

[Kikala]

<sup>Her tail had twitched happily for a few seconds when the male grinned. For a reason she could not discover, the sight of someone grinning because of her own actions made her feel a bit happier. Though, she could not help feeling a bit embarrassed. This was all new to her. Rarely had anyone been kind to her. The past came swimming into her vision and for a few moments, she felt like crying again. Shaking her head she turned her gaze elsewhere, hoping the wolf beside her had not seen any of her tears.

For awhile, she was silent, taking in the peaceful scene in front of her. The beautiful lake shimmering as the sun hit the waters. A few leaves moving gracefully through the wind. Kikala loved it here, it was so beautiful and peaceful, a definite change from the scenery she was so used to. Dark woods, menacing wolves, and horrible situations that she always tended to get herself into. She sighed, the femme had to be one of the most unlucky wolves there ever was.

Her auds perked on the top of her crania, red orbs jerked quickly to the brute. For a few seconds, she had forgotten he was there. She had been absorbed in the scenery, that when the silence was broken by his voice, she jumped very slightly.

Prosper. She mentally repeated his name, plugging it into her memory, so that she hopefully would not forget it. For once, it was something she did not want to forget, "Greetings Prosper." Her voice was stronger now, feeling more comfortable. She paused before answering his question. Is there really a reason? she wondered. "I... " she paused, "I... I'm not really sure."

Her eyes narrowed in thought, but nothing came to her, "I was just wandering and came upon this beautiful lake. I was so thirsty...." She smiled and shook her head, "I supposed I don't really have much of a reason then, do I?"</sup>

[Deleted]

.P R O S P E R.

Prosper took in the female's words with great care. Each one processing through his mind to form understandable sentences. The bottom line was that she didn't exactly have much of a reason for being here. Of course, Prosper could relate. It wasn't like he was here for any particular reason, he'd parted ways with a wolf he'd met named Taeliin. He had then walked in the direction towards the area of Ikou. When he'd stumbled across Kikala. Not an obstacle in anyway, he chose to stay with her. She looked like she needed some company. Whether she was surprised at his actions or not.

Prosper let out a sigh. Forcing some of the lake's reeds to flow with the concentrated air, giving them an exotic look. He looked back at the female. Something about her reminded him of Nami. As odd and random as it sounded, she carried some very similar features. Like the dusty brown coat and even the calm and polite personality in some cases. Did she have Nami blood in her? Was that why she was drawn here? Many questions flooded his mind, most of which, may never be answered. Prosper lowered his head slightly and shifted his weight uneasily. He knew nothing of Kikala yet...

"I have no exact reason on why I'm here either. Hehe. Then again... We follow our instincts."

Prosper winked at the female, a mysterious tone taking over his voice on the last remark. He flicked his tail again.

[/blockquote]

.RICH IN SPIRIT.

[Ariana_]

Amelia popped her head out to see where the voices were coming from.
"Hello?" Amelia looked around for them.
She was quiet spooked. She came down to the lake were she had heard the voices. She looked to see two wolves having a decent conversation. She walked out slowly with her tail on the ground and her ears flat on her head. She looked at both of them in turn. And waited for a bite the the heals and a howl.

[Kikala]

<sup>The femme flicked her tail beside her and she quickly turned her head when the male winked. She could feel her cheeks reddening. Why was she so embarrassed? Why can't I just.... Her mind stopped, and eyes stared into the waters in front of her. A sigh escaped her muzzle and she simply shook her head, not even knowing what she herself was thinking. She pressed her back against a nearby tree and sat down heavily. Exhaustion was quickly spreading through her body, she had only had a few moments of rest before the male had come upon her.

Her head looked towards him for a few moments and in a soft tone she finally spoke again, "Propser-?" but before she could continue on with their conversation she heard another small voice. Her body immediately went into a defensive stance, it had become only natural. Bright red eyes surveyed the fem and for a few moments she just stood there, staring at the other.

When the moment had passed, Kikala felt her body relax, even more tired then before, she finally collapsed.</sup>

[Ariana_]

Amelia watched the fem fall to the ground. "Are you okay" in her small voice she had right now. The wolf looked exaused. She was exaused herself and had had barley enough to eat herself. "Do you know where the Nami is?"