Checking on the Newcomer (Arliss) - Panther's Lair

Admin Posts : 20841 Join date : 2010-03-19

The wolf made another chuffing sound, akin to laughter.

If you wish.

Grace smiled and gave Mist one more good pet before dropping her hands to the ground and beginning the shift into a beautiful grey wolf.

Admin Posts : 20841 Join date : 2010-03-19

Once she did, both Arliss and Mist came closer to her. Close, so they could sniff at her, catch her scent, before they turned to dart back through the swamp.

She returned the ritual, catching their scent and drinking it deep. When they darted off, she followed close on their heels.

Admin Posts : 20841 Join date : 2010-03-19

The two clearly knew their way through the swamp. They kept at a reasonable pace for Grace to follow, though they darted ahead fairly often, giving her a chance to actually run.

Grace couldn't help it. She yipped with cheer, chasing after them at a run, but keeping up easily. It felt so wonderful to run with others.

Admin Posts : 20841 Join date : 2010-03-19

Arliss lead them to a clearing. It was nice and green, quiet, and ringed with trees. Behind the trees, several wolves seemed to be resting, but looked up as Arliss and Mist came with the newcomer into the clearing.

Grace paused when she saw the other wolves, holding back, but not in a scared way. Hell, her tongue was lolling out of her mouth. She looked perfectly harmless.

Admin Posts : 20841 Join date : 2010-03-19

Arliss trotted over to the center of the clearing, waiting for the other wolves to join him. Almost instantly, a wrestling match began.

Two pounced Arliss, while a third trounced on Mist, the two wolves rolling through the clearing.

Two more were clearly aiming for Grace.

She yipped, making a flash decision and choosing one of the wolves at random to attack first, starting the ensuing wrestling match on herterms.

Kinda. Two on one was a little unfair.

Admin Posts : 20841 Join date : 2010-03-19

It didn't matter. The wolf seemed more than happy to be attacked. He rolled, the other pouncing on the pair and giving them each a playful nip.

Grace just rolled with it, enjoying the pack play, nipping back and growling playfully.

Admin Posts : 20841 Join date : 2010-03-19

And last for a while, it did. For no less than an hour, she was pounced, nipped, rolled, licked, prodded, nosed, sniffed and batted around.

She easily kept up with them, and purposefully did not use her blood to give her any edge. Sometimes she was winning, some times she was losing. The lines of alliance and adversary were blurred in such fights, constantly switching as the play went on.

Admin Posts : 20841 Join date : 2010-03-19

It wasn't long before Grace was pinned by a very familiar wolf. Arliss was easy to recognize, even when everyone seemed to be pouncing everyone. He pinned her, stared down at her for a moment. Then gave her muzzle a long, slobbery lick.

Grace went limp when she realized it was Arliss who had her pinned, then yipped and licked him back.

Admin Posts : 20841 Join date : 2010-03-19

He seemed to shift, effortlessly, back to himself. Well, his human form, anyway. He sat on Grace and continued to laugh.

"Childish, I know. But still fun."

She shifted with him, but made no effort to move him from his spot sitting on her.

"Aye, but we need th' childish time t' get through bein' adults."

Admin Posts : 20841 Join date : 2010-03-19

Several of the surrounding wolves stopped their play, turning to look at Arliss as if he had lost his mind.

Arliss stayed sitting on her.

"Either you are very brave or very stupid, Grace, coming to this place with us."

She folded her hands together on her chest.

"I have ne'er been wha' most would consider sane. Nor have I e'er been a coward. Make o' tha' wha' ye will."

Admin Posts : 20841 Join date : 2010-03-19

He laughed and rose, holding out a hand toward her.

"You're okay. For what you are."

She grasped his hand and allowed him to help her up.

"Right back at ye, Arliss."

Admin Posts : 20841 Join date : 2010-03-19

He laughed.

"Perhaps you can inform your Alexander that I did not mean to violate the sanctity of his safe place?"

» Who is She? - Panther's Lair
» The Speaking of a Name - Dragon's Lair
» Explanations - Panther's Lair
» Babysitting - Panther's Lair
» You have GOT to hear this ... - Dragon's Lair