Lost "Treasure"

[Lark]

Ooc: Requesting Pisca

Lark was new to the territory, having only recently bumbled his way into its rocky terrain. The white-faced wolf found the Bloodback Mountains very interesting and spared closer examination to all the strange rock formations that littered the land. He'd actually found one that resembled a rabbit -- if you had the imagination to see it (you might have to squint.) Lark, being Lark, was of course delighted but had been slightly dismayed that he hadn't had anyone to share his discovery with. No matter, Lark had decided that he'd eventually lure someone there.

The wolf hopped down a rocky staircase formed from natural corrosion and exhaled a huff of air as his paws met with the lowest platform. Since he'd been in the area, Lark had worn down his claws; they were considerably duller and shorter than they had been during his time within the grove. In his hasty descent, Lark had almost dropped a "treasure" he'd recently picked up. While exploring the male had come across a large feather, probably from the tail or wing of an eagle. He'd been quite happy and had instantly taken it for his own. Again, the male had been disheartened with the fact no one was around to share in his delight; so, Lark had set off determinedly in search of others.

The male rounded a large boulder and in his happy, oblivious state, tripped. His paw had caught on a sharp incline, sending the wolf forward where his chest and jaw met unceremoniously with the ground. When he exhaled a large "oof," he'd sent his prized feather spiraling forth. A breeze caught it and carried it farther away. With surprising speed, the wolf scrambled to his feet and shot after it, leaping up and snapping in an attempt to recapture the pinion.

[Pisca]

Ooc: Request accepted. ^___^

After an all-night trek to the Aryian packlands, Pisca had returned to his homeland in the early hours of the morning. His paws were sore, and while he was still young, the wolf was quite 'tuckered out' to say the very least. And upon his arrival to his favorite 'nest' amongst the rocks, the young Omega had promptly curled up, burying his black-tipped nose into his tailfur, and fallen asleep.

Now though, the sun was shining brightly upon the weary traveler, leaving something similar to a baking sensation beneath his fur, and Pisca soon realized that his adventure in dozing had come to an untimely end. Golden eyes blinked sleepily, his doziness making them appear unfocused and spacey, but with a good hard shake of his head, the life returned to them swiftly, and Pisca was up on his black painted paws.

With a keening sound and a grunt, the Omega made sure he was thoroughly stretched out before giving himself another shake. The action caused a small plume of dust to rise up from his fur and then slowly settle back down upon the ground. He watched the dust fall for a moment, before a sound caused his ears to perk in curiousity.

A hard pounding could be heard upon the ground, the strokes evenly timed and quick and succession. He recognized that sound; some wayward creature was running somewhere near by. However, Pisca's attention faultered as something fluttered in the corner of his eye. With his head cocked to the side, the Omega shifted his gaze to stare at what had caught his attention.

"Oooh... A feather!" Pisca's golden eyes narrowed against the sun to eye the brighter colors on the feather as it shifted in the sunlight. His face lightened at the sight, and he grinned, watching it as it floated past him in a natural sort of dance, if feathers could dance. However, the peacefulness of the scene was shattered as the thumping from earlier exploded just off to the side, sending Pisca a good few inches in the air and causing his fur to raise in surprise.

Molten eyes widened as they witnessed the strangest sight known to the Omega. No sooner had the feather passed, when a wolf went practically sailing after it, a look of utter determination on its face. With a few startled blinks, Pisca was scrambling up over the edge of his rock 'nest' and after the other canine, his curiosity having gotten the better of him, yet again.

[Lark]

He ran, he leapt, he nearly tripped, and he repeated the steps again and again until finally, success! His jaws clapped down with what proved to be too much force. Not only had he bitten his tongue --which hurt-- but he'd snapped the delicate feather in half, ruining its beauty. The wolf came to an abrupt stop, oblivious to his follower.

Lark's ears tucked back as he gingerly set the feather down on the earth, moon-like eyes fixated on it. It was still whole but twisted at the site where it snapped and jagged from Lark's slobber. The white-faced wolf pawed at the pathetic thing with a brown-toed foot and whimpered quietly. It was his treasure and he'd broken it. What was the point of sharing it now?

With a grunt that could be considered as an outlet for pouting, Lark fell onto his rump, looming over the soiled pinion. He placed his paw on top of the twisted juncture and tried the fix the feather, but alas, it remained broken. Lark sighed, fully convinced he'd killed his treasure and began to mourn its "death."

[Pisca]

It only took a few repitions of the other wolf's uncommon actions before Pisca realized just what was going on. This wolf had seen the feather too, it would seem, and had a goal determinedly set in catching it. Pisca followed in silence, yellow eyes watching in quiet amusement as the other leapt about until he managed to snatch it from its flight. However, the other's demeanor changed abruptly, bringing Pisca to ao complete stop from his already slowed pace.

He watched, ears tilting backward at the sad, depressed posture the newcomer had taken on. A look that could pass as a frown flitted across the Omega's features, his furred forehead wrinkling slightly as he watched the almost ceremonial release of the feather from the other male's jaws. It was broken and spiked from where it had been in the male's mouth, and as the stranger gazed at the feather in an almost imploring sort of way, Pisca pushed himself to his feet.

Trotting over on black-toed feet, the Omega approached quietly, carrying with him a respectful air, not only to the wolf, but to the mangled feather at his paws. Turning his ringed-eye to the stranger, Pisca lowered his head in a greeting, before looking down to the feather that had once been floating through the air only a few moments before. "It lived a good life. Had one last great flight... Went solo." He managed a small grin to the other male, before sitting down beside him in a somewhat companionable silence. "Been following it long?"

[Lark]

He'd been too preoccupied with the feather to notice the other, but his arrival had been welcomed. The white-faced wolf sighed one last sigh before looking away from the feather to take in the appearance of the newcomer. Lark nodded solemnly to Pisca's words, turning back to the ruined feather. " It was a good feather, a good find. I knew it since...half an hour ago... It shall be missed." His soft-spoken words held the slightest hint of mirth in them, as if this whole thing had been a big game-- sadness over the feather's "death" included.

Silence sat between them before Lark drew in a deep breath, exhaling it in a rush through his nostrils. " Okay, so now that -that's- over..." The wolf stood up, ear pricking forwards and all hints of "depression" melting away. Lark appeared rather jovial, actually, and his goofy grin said as much. The quiet-voiced wolf tilted his head as he examined the other's face closely, golden-hazed eyes narrowing.

Lark sniffed in quickly, leaning forward to examine Pisca's face more closely. The wolf stopped just as the tip of his nose was lingering about an inch away from the other's left cheek. Lark's brows knit together as if in deep concentration, eyes sharp and mouth slightly parted. After a few more seconds of what was probably a very uncomfortable moment for the other, Lark pulled away and gave a quick nod of his head as if satisfied with his examination.

" You have a circle around your eye," Lark announced and sat down. Whether the wolf was really that inept or if he just acted that way because he felt like it, was known only to Lark. His secretive little smile was as good as a hint anyone could hope for.

"I'm Lark," He stated, voice rising in pitch and volume at the second word.

[Pisca]

Mirth not falling upon deaf ears, Pisca himself was absorbed into the other's charade, and he matched a solemn nod with the other. Golden eyes and a faint curve to the male's maw were the only hints that betrayed his serious behavior, for the traces of a smile were apparent on both. His somber mask did not last long, as the other male let out a strong sigh and rose from his sitting position. Pisca watched as all signs of sadness were wiped away, this stranger's appearance shifting into one of simple happiness.

However, the small pleased grin on Pisca's face that had appeared at the other's shedding of his sad display, faded as the space between the two shrunk. Canine eyebrows raising in surprise, Pisca stood stock still as the other's nose came closer and closer to the left side of his face. It grew difficult to keep an eye on the other male's features the closer he came, and soon Pisca was straining to keep a close eye on the other through the corner of his eye.

The effort proved to be needless, as soon the newcomer had drawn back rather abruptly and nodded, announcing to Pisca that he had a ring around his eye. The Omega's moment of nervous and uncertain discomfort faded instantly, and he offered a light-hearted chuckle as he learned the stranger's name. Lark. A strange name for a wolf, but maybe it was because most got the impression he was a bit bird-brained. Pisca was never one so quick to judge, thankfully.

"Yep, sure do. And you've got a spot between your eyes." Came the quick response, light and carried in a delighted tone. He'd been relieved to know that this was not one of the aggressive outsiders. "And the name's Pisca. Bloodback Omega, at your service."

[Lark]

Pisca had every right to play with the thought of Lark's name's origin. If he seemed scatter-brained now, then he must've been a total lost cause as a pup. Maybe that -was- the reason his parents chose to name him what they did. Lark never really thought about it.

"Ah, yes I do." Lark agreed, eyes crossing in an attempt to see the spot in question. He'd seen it before in his reflection; it was a trait he inherited from his mother, rest her soul. Upon the others introduction, Lark actually took on a serious look and posture. He had totally forgotten that there was a possibility that Pisca was a member of the resident pack. Despite being an Omega, he still out-ranked the rank-less Lark.

" You're in the pack? No, no, I'm at -your- service." The soft-spoken male insisted, amber eyes keenly alert. Though Lark would have been perfectly happy to go on and continue being a dork, he was first a wolf. He understood pack life and authority and would adhere to his teachings. The white-faced wolf, remembering their previous exchange, just had to offer a small, sheepish smile. Lark wanted to laugh, but he stifled it.

[Pisca]

A soft snort escaped Pisca's nostrils as he watched Lark go cross-eyed in an attempt to see the spot he'd mentioned. A faint smile remained upon his canine features as he kept a close and curious eye on this newcomer to Breakbone's territory. The random and rather swift changes in behavior were still catching the young Omega off guard, but at the rate Lark was going, Pisca was sure to be used to it in no time at all.

Eyeing Lark's serious face, Pisca merely flicked his ear in a moment of indecisiveness. "My service? Hardly," he gave a soft snort, shaking his head and pushing himself up onto all fours. "I'm one of... three omegas now, I think. It's my job, to escort you to either Alpha Breakbone, or Beta Shadow, unless you've already had the luck of running into one of them. Then I'm supposed to show you around... And make a good impression."

Pisca gave a sound, solid nod to Lark, then grinned broadly at the other wolf. In a moment, he had dropped down his upper half into a very distinguished canine-version of a bow. "So, therefore, Lark, it is me at -your- service."

[Lark]

Put at ease by the other's reaction, Lark assumed his normal, happy-go-lucky expression. In his old pack he'd been a bit of an Omega but had never officially earned the title. The alpha felt that though Lark offered valuable insight and was a credit to the pack, he was too prone to vanishing to be given any long-lasting responsibility. Lark hadn't minded at all.

"I've met Breakbone, oh yes. I'm afraid I made an idiot of myself," His soft voice trailed off and he shrugged a foolish grin. The blasted hole had gotten the best of him when he'd tried to sit down. Lark figured it was his fault for not being more aware of his surroundings. There had been that other present too, Zoid, that was her name, he believed. She'd been a very strange collection of colors, as if she stepped out of fantasy and into reality.

The male glanced to the side for an instant, then back to Pisca wearing a coy look. " You've seen the rocks that look like a rabbit then, right?" Lark knew that there was the chance Pisca had no clue what he was talking about, but on the other paw, maybe the other had stumbled across it too. Lark would be delighted if that was the case. All jester-like behavior aside, Lark would've liked an informed tour of the area. His hapless wandering had been fun but he really hadn't learned a thing-- save that a certain rock looked like a bunny and that vole burrows were dangerous.

" I'd like that, yeah," With a quick glance to the side and a grin Lark stood tall and eyed the other, " I demand you service me and take me on a tour." His grin widened and a snort of laughter escaped him.

[Pisca]

"Well, you shouldn't dwell on it much, Breakbone seems to appreciate a break in all this seriousness amongst all these war-trained hounds." Pisca said, his tone still like and amiable as he continued the conversation with Lark. He knew that war was imminent, just as the sunrise was every morning, but things had become so somber, so serious. It was all beginning to weigh heavy on hearts that still should have been light and mostly carefree. And so, Pisca took a silent pride in knowing that he could provide a small beacon of light and hope in a world that was growing increasingly more dreary.

At Lark's strange expression and the even stranger question, Pisca's head cocked a few degrees to the side as he thought. "Like a rabbit?" He paused, a thoughtful look crossing his grey features, "Huh, no... Can't say I've seen that one. But there is one that reminds me of a mama bear and her two cubs." He nodded, a very assured looking coming across his face, as if such a conversation were completely normal and there was not a thing that was strange about associating rock formations with other neighboring wildlife.

However, his companionable behavior shifted into a more businesslike one when Lark made his 'demands.' A snort of laughter to match Lark's left the Omega's nostrils, and Pisca's entire posture seemed to lighten. "Well, uh, consider yourself... serviced?" He snorted again, lifting his head with an air of importance. "Right this way sir, and I shall begin our tour."

[Lark]

War had never been a true worry to Lark. His family had been far away enough that such talk of violence was only hearsay and rumor. He'd always known about the antagonistic relationship that existed between the certain species of wolves, though, and had experienced a small amount fights. All out war had only been a far away nightmare. It seemed that Lark's arrival in the territory was a mixed blessing. He still wasn't aware of the tentative situation and would take pleasure in what company Pisca could offer him. The ring-eyed wolf was nice enough and able to match Lark's strange sense of play and humor-- a rare thing. Lark was not about to pass up this possibility of a friendship.

The yellow-eyed Ayrian regarded his companion with a grin as Pisca mentioned the rock formations. " Then lets make a deal, you show me the rocks that look like bears, and I'll return the favor by showing you 'rabbit rock' sometime." Lark quipped, soft mirth a warm presence within his quiet voice. His packmates had often found it amusing that a wolf as flamboyant and silly as Lark had such a soft-spoken voice, and the trait had only served to endear him closer to the others. He was quite fortunate in the friends he had and missed those who he had lost. Now was not the time to dwell on the past, though, and Lark concentrated on the current situation.

" Good then," Lark responded quietly, watching the other with pleasant expression. He moved to follow the other, keeping pace beside him while looking around. As curious as he was about the mountains, Lark was also wondering about Pisca and what story he might hold. He would use the tour as a chance to ask questions that Lark hoped the other wouldn't find too nosey.

"So, how long have you been part of the pack?" He questioned softly, sending Pisca a twinkling, sidelong glance.

[Pisca]

"You have yourself a deal." Pisca's amber eyes shut briefly in a friendly smile, feeling slightly more at ease now that he had managed to get Lark chatting. It didn't take the Omega all that long to realize that the other male seemed to have no intention of harming anyone within the territory, let along Pisca himself. Besides, Lark had as good of a humor as Pisca could find thus far in Bloodback lands, and that by itself put the other in the Omega's good-book.

Ears perked as Pisca's head raised with a slightly more important air to his posture, waiting only briefly for Lark to fall in beside him. He wore what many seemed to think was a permanent grin, though for the moment it seemed slightly subdued as he mulled over the areas he could take Lark through. There weren't many notable landmarks within the territory, save for the dens and Breakbone's own 'residence.' But, as always, the Omega would make due.

Steps not faltering as they traveled over the slightly red-toned earth, Pisca's ears shifted slightly toward Lark as his quiestion came up. Pisca merely grinned for a moment, golden eyes going thoughtful as he took a short breath to let it out in a laid-back exhale. "Hm, well... I've been under Breakbone's rule for... two years now. Came in when I was just about a year old." He gave a small chuckle, "Bet you anything Breakbone's still wishin' he had chased me off when he had the chance."

That bit wasn't entirely true. It may have been when Pisca had first arrived in the territory, for Breakbone had not let the wolf even sleep outside the range of those sharp eyes. Now though, it was as far from the truth as one could get. Over the years, Pisca had proven himself a loyal member of the Bloodbacks, and Breakbone now trusted the Omega wholly. It was a nice thing for Pisca to know he was trusted, not only by his Alpha, but by other members as well. And perhaps, if he was lucky, Lark would be yet another.