Holes in the floors of heaven

[Joaquin]

An emerald set of eyes slowly took in the sight that lay upon the horizon, behind the mist and curtains of water. Mountains loomed up from the ground, acting as great, jagged stone teeth that mother earth had decided to turn upon the sky. Their tips, it seemed, had torn into the underbelly of the sky, tearing great rifts in the heavens from which rain fell freely. The entire land as far as those emerald eyes could see, had been drenched.

And Joaquin was no exception. Her mostly gray pelt had been soaked quite thoroughly, leaving the she-wolf with the feeling that she looked distinctly similar to a half-drowned rat. The lighter gray fur of her underbelly hung limp, dripping water as the wolfess slowly resurmed her trudging across the terrain, her similarly colored tail hanging rather limp and sodden behind her. two-tone brown ears laid back against her skull in slight irritation with the weather, but it was mostly to keep the water from slipping into her ears and hindering her hearing. She had once called these lands her home, but after many months spent beyond the borders, its scent on her was faded and hidden beneath many others. She was once again, a stranger on Bloodback lands.

Nostrils flaring slightly as her nose twitched, Joaquin took in the scents of the land before the rain managed to completely wash them out. It was a sort of comfort, and relief to return home after any length of time spent from it, and still be able to remember its smell. However, the wolfess knew better than to expect the members to welcome her with wagging tails and unbared fangs. No, she expected a greeting that any other outsider recieved. But an alienated greeting was better than none at all.

With one leg appearing as if Joaquin had sank up to the hip in a mudhole, the female gave herself a vigorous shake, flinging droplets of water every which way. And for a moment, the blood red in her coat could be seen along her back, along with both a dark chocolate brown and an ashen brown, forming a sort of saddle across the wolfess's back. It was soon lost again, as the rain continued to fall upon her, darkening her coat into almost iundistinguishable coloring. She was just dark-pelted now. And very, very wet.

But, being the patient wolf that she was, she did not mind waiting out in the rain until another wolf noticed her presence. It was rude, and rather foolish, to go trotting into the main heart of the land, where the pack resided as a whole, as if she'd been there the entire time. That'd earn her a good throat gnawing for sure. So instead, Joaquin settled for hunkering down beneath a densely leafed bush to avoid the main downpour of rain and to await the arrival of another canine.

[Breakbone]

Rain or no rain, it was his duty to patrol his lands. That is one reason many liked him. He didn't cower from the rain, nor any weather. He patrolled and guarded his territory with his life. Breakbone was a strong wold. Breakbone had waht many alphas these days lacked. He hoped to set an example for them.

The Alphas normally rather bright coat was darkened and sopping wet from the downpour. It laid flat against his body - but allowed his muscle form to show rather easily This wolf had indeed seen his years of battles. Beneath the fur, and now that it was flattened, scars could be seen. He was really quite built in muscular form, which showed he had to keep fighting to stay in power in his youth. Even his paws were large. He wasn't quite as tall as any of his kind could be, but he certainly was at the top of the scale of muscle mass.

Slowly he trotted along the marked boundires. After the rain, the pack would need to remark them. He smelled another wolf closeby, and it wasn't one of his family. Well, not anymore, at least. He did know that scent, though. And he was curious to know why she decided to return after all these years. His pace quicked to a run on the slick, muddy lands. Soon he could see her underneath a bush trying to wait it out. Breakbone stopped inches before the shrub, causing a little mud to splatter on the leaves. He just stood there though, staring at her, and not saying a word.

[Joaquin]

Brown ears swivelled atop a stormy colored head at the faintest sounds of thunder through the rain. No, it was not thunder. It was the sound of pawsteps... A large creature, and running, judging by the quick tempo the steps beat into the soggy ground. Drenched ears perking slightly into a position of complete alertness, Joaquin's entire position soon shifted to match the posture of her ears, though she remained laying down. Though she was back in familiar territory did not mean she'd be recieved well, and there was no sense in remaining idle and at ease, in the case that such a situation would arise.

The distant thunder soon turned to the sickly slapping of flying paws against the mud, and Joaquin lifted her snout curiously to try and catch some sort of scent. It was a useless gesture, for the rain had weighted down even the scents left in the air. It did not matter though, as within a few short moments, the beast with the thundering paws appeared, coming to quick stop a few mere inches from the foilage Joaquin had claimed as shelter. With the mud splattering against the leaves, the she-wolf blinked and looked toward the new arrival curiously.

It was a male... a very large one at that. Not in the way of height, persay, but his entire presence oozed strength. Everything about him was wide-set, broad and heavily muscled. Not a creature to be crossed, or tired, Joaquin decided silently, soon pushing herself to her feet to carefully emerge from her shrub and step back out into the rain. Introductions and explanations were in order, and as that was the business at hand, the female could handle getting herself wet.

"Hail, stranger," Joaquin was no longer aware of the rankings within Bloodback's territories, and so was tentative in her speech, lest she somehow offend the wrong person, "I see you've sought me out, even in the most poor of weather... How very responsible of you." She bowed her head politely, still keeping a keen green eye on the male. He had shown no signs of agression thus far, but it was best she was wary, and polite. "My name is Joaquin... And I don't mean for any trouble..."

[Breakbone]

Breakbone's fur dripped with water almost as rapidly as the rain fell. Luckily the storm was starting to pass, and the rain was starting to lighten. The alpha shook out his heavy coat of the water and mud, then glanced down to her yet again. Familiar. He remembered her leaving quite a time ago. Though, at that time, he was most likely off dealing helping Cronic with Aryia. But he remembered her. Those usually warm and gentle eyes narrowed somewhat.

"I recall you turning your back on this family and leaving. For what reason do you return?"

Yes. The pack was his family. And he protected that family with his life. Family that chose to turn their backs on their kin had no place with them again. He tried his best to hold himself high, but the water weighed him down, thus his ears drooped more than usual and his tail could only be held so high, but it was sitll obvious he was alpha. Everyone know Breakbone was alpha. Also, as he spoke, his voice took to a rather agressive tone. A growl rumbled as his words came, and lips twitched as he tried to keep them down.

"Joaquin.." Said mainly just to test the name on his tongue. He hadn't known her name.

Breakbone delt with many leaving the pack for various reasons. Even still they left for the Whitebacks, others for Chicotah, and some just wanted to travel, and that the alpha didn't mind. He took trips himself from time to time. A couple of his subordinates had followed him like they always did, and were hiding in the shrubs and trees. His tail brushed side to side while he stared at the fae in the bush. The brute's patience were thin, especially since he had to be standing out in the rain for this.

[Joaquin]

"It may appear that way, yes... But I would not turn my back upon my family, sir. They are irreplacable, but I was younger then, and struck with an urge to explore what parts of the world I could." Brown toned ears lowered slightly, the she-wolf's head sinking fractionally with them at the male's growling. Her green gaze lingered on the slight tick held upon his lips, and her soaking tail dropped a significant amount.

How bad it must appear, for a whelp to have up and left, only to return at random without any warning at all. She had given no promise of return... It did look very bad, as if she'd abandoned her family, and her pack all together. But she had been young, and foolish then. She had not known any better, nor had she been fully aware of the consequences such an action would face, should she ever choose to return... which she had.

"I apologize for drawing you out in such weather... But the want in me, to wander has passed, and left me wishing for home again. I came in hopes that perhaps I may be allowed re-entry into the pack... I realize this is rather unheard of, but I've done nothing to go against the pack, other than wanting to explore."

She knew now who she was speaking to. Never good with names, Joaquin did not need to recognize him in order to read his posture. What a mess she had gotten herself into. It should have come as no surprise to the she-wolf that the alpha of the lands would be the first she ran into, but it left her with a dread-filled feeling in the pit of her stomach. If she said one thing deemed inappropriate, or disrespectful, her chances were lost. It was no a very good time to be on her best behavior, and pray that the weather would continue its gradual change and bring the sun quickly.

[Breakbone]

His gaze seemed to soften at her explaination. That was right. She was but a mere, curious youngster back then. Breakbone himself often felt the urge to explore. It was understandable, in that case. And he was quite glad she had not left in betrayal. Otherwise she probably wouldn't be alive right now. Many pups were left orphaned back then after the Whitebacks had tried another invasion. Perhaps Joaquin was one of them. So many had been lost, Breakbone lost track of who.

"I trust you have grown wise now with your adventures. Perhaps it was a good thing you left then, during the battle. Many were orphaned, and were lost within the fighting."

He gazed up towards the sky, noting the change of weather. Now it was just a light, and enjoyable rain. Spring was approaching, after all. Rain would be coming and going for a while to make the flowers grow and trees gain healthy leaves, and for the rivers to fill up and offer life to the lands below. Once more he shook the water and mud from his pelt and gazed down at her.

"Come forth from those shrubs, let me have a loot at what you've become."

Breakbone found that sometimes travelling could change a wolf, both mentally and physically. He would determine what she would be good for if he allowed her back. The pack was terribly small right now, and although he was in a hurry to get warriors and ranks, he would make sure he chose them wisely.

"And tell me about your travel. Where did you go?" Asked the ever-curious Alpha.

[Joaquin]

Ears painted the color of surrounding mud lowered yet again, at the alpha's somber words. More battles and more bloodshed. It was no surprise to the wolfess, but it still left a dark shadow over her heart and head. She could have been there for her pack, could have served some purpose and aided them. Instead, she had been out fulfilling her own dreams and desires while other members of her pack were lost to their dreams all together. Joaquin knew she should be grateful that her life was miraculously spared, but all she could manage to feel at the moment, was shame.

"I've learned now, how to fend for myself, better than what I knew of before... So in a way, I suppose it was a benefit..." She answered softly, green eyes softening along with her tone. A benefit for her yes... Perhaps now, if the time came, she could prove more useful for her pack than she had before. Now she could hold her own... Or at least, she could try.

Her own gaze followed his curiously as the male's eyes lifted upward toward the heavens, which were still drizzling a light rain kindly upon their heads. The air smelled of a crisp freshness that was not unkind to Joaquin's nose, and the she-wolf's spirit lightened somewhat, her still dripping tail lifting slightly at the sight of sun. She too gave a brief shake, ridding her pelt of access water and mud before complying to his words and unveiling herself from the shrubbery completely.

Her pelt, now ridded of most of the water that had clung to her fur, was a dark gray in color. A red saddle rested upon her lower back, towards her hind end, edged in a light ashen brown and peaked in the center with a dark chocolate brown. The same browns could be found on her right hind leg, the last few inces and paw tinged darker, and the rest matching the ashen brown up to her hip. Her ears were much the same, rimmed with dark brown and painted lighter, the insides matching a light gray found upon her neck, chest, underbelly and her entire tail. Crimson streaks encircled her eyes, shadowed by the same light brown upon her leg, bringing out the intense green of her eyes.

Her travels had treated her decently, for the most part. The beginning had been rough, but she was just learning then, and she had had to learn to survive. And since she was sill among the living, she had learned quickly, and she had learned well. Her form was not as impressive as the male's beside her; instead she was lithe and wirey, with a fairly lanky air about her. But she was healthy, blessed with a strong body for one her size, and a sleek coat as well.

"My travels... I went where my paws itched to go, sir. I know that I did well to avoid Chicotah and Whiteback lands, but if memory serves me I did venture towards the Airyan borders on an occasion or two. For the most part, I took to exploring the unclaimed territories, and the lands beyond that... I merely wished for the sights... and to learn what I could..."

[Breakbone]

He dipped his head with a nod and listened. At least she had avoided trouble. That was good. It meant she was smart, even at that young, foolish age.
The Sun now began to peak out from the dissapating clouds above and the rain turned into more than a soft drizzle. His ears twitched to the sound of the stream nearly overflowing and rapidly racing down the mountain where it eventually met a cliff and cascaded magnificently into the Aryian lands. It was a beautiful sight when beheld, though only few got to see it from the perfect view. That spot was reserved for the higher ranks. Only the Alphas could gather there. Anyone else had to see it from afar. But enuogh about that.

"It is understandable. I have felt the urge to explore numerous times. I am thankful you were smart enough to avoid those lands of hate."

Another nod. Her physical condition was not that of a warrior, but perhaps a scout, or border guardian could fit her. She liked to travel, and thats what those two did.

"Tell me now, what rank did you come back in hopes to gain?"

[Helligkeit]

Nearby a Fae stood and watched the two wolves. Her eyes were also emerald in color, however, her right eye saw nothing. A red cross was marked by it, and the cornia was blurred. This blind eye was her only flaw, for she was fit and young. This was Battlewhisper, who had heard of the Alpha of the Bloodbacks, and liked what she had heard. She did not even notice the downpour, even though her glossy coat was wet.

Wet scents drifted up to her nose, and she inhaled them, learning. The other wolf was also a fae, and her body language expressed submission. She spoke in a flighty manner, and it seemed she was a former member of the pack.

<Interesting...> Battle thought to herself. <Very interesting.>

It seemed that the time to make her entry was now, so the dark grey she-wolf stood, shook herself and padded toward the pair. The red cross over her right eye stayed a crimson color, and a larger cross on her left flank matched it. The rain did not discolor these marks, although the sandy color on her maw, throat, belly, paws and tail were discolored from the water. Holding her head up, she walked proudly down the slope towards them.

She stopped when she was a few yards away and looked at the Alpha. Her head was lower than his, as was custom, but only slightly. She wanted to show respect to Breakbone, but not give off the impression that she was one to submit easily. She wagged her tail in greeting.

"Greetings. Terrible time for a meeting, isn't it? My name is Battlewhisper, although you may call me Battle for short. I have come to join this pack. I can only assume that I have bloodback lines, for my father is a mystery to me and my mother, Alenia, was killed by a rabid bear in my first winter. I have come of a position of rank, and I would like the opportunity to prove my worth. Would I be allowed, Great Alpha?"

She bowed her head in respect, then lifted her eyes to his. She had piercing eyes, and she locked her gaze on Brokebone's. If her spoke, she would look away, as is custom.

[Breakbone]

Attention shifted to the new fae. The rain had masked her scent, so she came as a slight surprise to the usually on guard alpha.

His rich Amber eyes met with hers for a moment or two before going over her physical appearance. She looked like a bloodback. But so did some Whitebacks. She did not smell of them, though. In fact, she did carry a slight scent of his own. Somewhere his pack's blood got mixed with her families. She was indeed part bloodback.
It did not please him that she held herself so high, But she kept at a lower level, thus she was no threat. At least she had courage. Bloodbacks needed that. He held her gaze, staring a hard and strong stare. Breakbone was not afraid to stare into anothers eyes. He could do it all day.

"What makes you think I'll allow you to become one of us?" He questioned, raising himself a bit. "What skills have you that could prove useful and worthy?"

[Joaquin]

The alpha's outright question surprised the female for a moment. Green eyes regarded the male curiously for a moment before her head dipped in a minute nod, as if she'd come across a silent decision at that very moment. She remained in her respectfully submissive posture, though her eyes were alight with both curiousity, and the faintest glimmer of hope as well.

"I've come in hopes for any rank I would be deemed fit for, sir." Truth be told, like any young wolf, Joaquin spired in her mind's eye for the highest rank she was capable of reaching. It was so for every young beast, and she was no different. But, she did know where reality's boundaries lay. Any rank at all, aside from omega, would be more than enough to please the youngster, especially if the alpha himself deemed her worthy of any title.

Her ears perked slightly, the sound of slick, sticking pawsteps tickling the insides of them, her bright green eyes flickering from Breakbone's features to peer through the lightening rainfall. The female that approached was marked brightly enough that the red marks upon both her flank and face still stood out plainly, even after such a rainfall. She carried herself in a much different manner than Joaquin carried herself; it was as if she already had authority within the pack. At least she knew better than to act as if she were over the Alpha...

As the other two spoke, Joaquin withdrew herself from the conversation until she was again addressed, though she did not move from her place before Breakbone. Instead, the young wolfess merely sat in polite silence, her eyes shifting occasionally between the alpha, and this new arrival, Battle.

[Helligkeit]

"What makes you think I'll allow you to become one of us?" He questioned, raising himself a bit. "What skills have you that could prove useful and worthy?"

Battle's ear flicked at the Alpha's question. She held herself proudly and grinned in the common wolf way. Of course, the Alpha wanted to test her worth, he would be unwise to let her in without first finding if she would be useful. He had brains, that was a good sign.

"I, sir, am an excellent spy, as shown by how easily I came upon you, even in this weather. Also, I am fleet of foot and strong of both mind and body. I can outwit a fox, as I had done as a pup. I was the strongest of my siblings, only matched by my twin brother, Stormcall, who was lost the same winter my mother died. I was the Alpha Pup, and Alphess of a small band of rogues before they were slowly accepted into other Clans. But that clan was a superstitious lot, and didn't like that I had red marks or a blind eye, see?"

She turned her head so he could see the red cross and blind right eye.

"But that eye never bothered me, I can hunt just as good as a wolf with two eyes. My mother always told me that."

She straightened up proudly at the mention of her mother, then dropped her stance to lower than the Alpha's once again. She seemed cocky, but it was well founded. Everything she had said was true, and after the loss of her Clan she was egar to join a new one. She scented that Breakbone had very litte female scent around him, aside from the grey femme that stood beside him. Did that mean the position of Alphess was open? Now there was a thought.

She stood facing him, waiting alertly for his reply, but at the same time thinking about the oppertunities of this new pack. It was quite possible that she could put herself as Beta, if not Alphess, or Delta... that would work nicely too. Battle was high strung, but she took and gave orders well. She just had high hopes on what she could accomplish, and always thought as big as she could, working her way down instead of up.

[Breakbone]

The alpha rose to his highest position. He had had enough of this cocky female coming in like she owned the place. these were his lands. Not hers, not anyone else's.

"Pride can blind a wolf, and a blinded wolf is a dead wolf. I am the alpha here, stranger, so not speak to me as if I were a lowly omega you were boasting to." He snapped to her, a bloodcurdling growl rolling out from his chest. "Stay quiet as I tend to the other, then I will deal with you. As of right now I see no value in having you with us. But I will talk with you one on one in a moment."

So, finally he turned back to the former bloodback, now irritated and it looked as if he were to take it out on Jo. But he didn't. "If you seek no rank, then I don't see you worthy of gaining a rank yet. I will put you at Omega with Pisca. Until you can prove your worth here in this family, in my home, you will stay there. I see hope in you yet, perhaps someday you will rise to command a part of this pack." He nodded to her and motioned his head to the denser forest beyond the rocky edges of the borders. "Go back home now and get ti know the rest of the Bloodbacks. I'm sure quite a bit has changed since you were here last."

Breakbone now turned to the haughty stranger with eyes narrowed and hackles raised so that he looked a good deal bigger than what he really was.

[Helligkeit]

At the Alpha's snarl Battle's ears immediately went down and her stance lowered. She was not afraid of the Alpha, and she would have liked to snap back at him, but he was right, He was Alpha here. She waited for him to address Jo, then attempted to explain.

"I am sorry, sir, but I am used to talking with authority. I suppose it is simply a habit. If you require it of me, I will try to surpress it. But I did come here looking for a high rank."

Her emerald eyes blazed. Battle's spirit was strong, and she did not like bowing to this wolf, even if he was an Alpha. She could fight him for the position of Alpha, but she felt that it would cause too much trouble. Instead she would take the position he gave her, and work her way to a position she could be suited with. Battle wasn't used to being pushed around.

She stood calmly, awaiting Breakbone's reply.

[Joaquin]

((ooc: I am SO sorry about my disappearance, you two. Mid-terms at college hit hard, and the net went down for almost a week afterward. I'm back now though, and I hope you can forgive my long disappearance. >.<;; Sorry, again.))

It took all of Joaquin's will not to roll her eyes at the list the other female gave to the Alpha; if she had not held respect in such high regards, she might have done so, even. However, she remained silent, listening politely to the converstaion until she was again addressed. The conversation returned to her shortly after a rather authorative outburst from the Alpha that made Joaquin re-situate herself to be certain she was not showing any disrespect to the male, or his position.

With ears and tail lowered both politely and cautiously, the she-wolf listened carefully to Breakbone's decision. With a brief bow of her head and a faint, but appreciative wag of her tail, Joaquin took a few steps back from the Alpha. Emerald eyes were alight with both gratitude and wariness; as an omega, she would have to watch her steps carefully, but she was still an omega, a part of the pack again. Joaquin could have yipped with happiness and set to licking the Alpha's face, if she had been less levelheaded and composed.

Instead, she merely presented a respectful 'bow' to Breakbone, accompanied with a genuinely happy grin. "Thank you, sir. I'll do as you suggest. Good day to you both..." With a nod to both him and Battle, out of politeness, Joaquin took her leave to explore and re-learn the Bloodback's lands again.