what kind of a match would that be... `` open

[arbie]

These past few days had been a bit boring. Iris wasn’t usually one to complain, so she decided it was time for change. Frowning as she wandered through the valley, Iris looked round for some sort of company. Only some birds sang, and Iris sighed. The weather was way too warm for her, and that added to her list of things to complain about. She looked back ahead, noticing that she was nearing a very silent area. The foglands. Ears twitching, she smiled and made her way towards it silently. Gracefully.

As she walked through the fog, Iris was surprised she could see where she was going still. It made her think awful thoughts, but she forced herself to keep her back straight and head high. The fog was a lot more impressive in the old valley, and Iris was surprised she could even remember what it looked like. Slowing her pace to a halt, Iris shook her fur and sat down, feeling completely relaxed.
She forgot all about complaining now.

[wolfstar]

Ritbant padded through the fog, his pawsteps as silent as the vapor that surrounded him. Every sense was alerted, but he didn't expect to meet anyone, since this was the fog. Rit loved shadow, and fog was comforting to him. It soothed, and it hid. Every movement was well placed, his muscles moving sleekly under his fiery pelt as he moved through the fog like a fiery ghost. His eyes trained forward, but they panned right and left often. Rit scowled, his graceful motion halting as he smelled another wolf. The fog blocked the sense of smell, so the wolf must he close. Instantly alert for danger, Rit trained all of his senses ahead. His ears pricked, and his nostrils flared. His black ear stood erect, but he was not paying attention to his aggravating ear.

[arbie]

A scent. Yes. This is what made life not so boring. Conversation! Wolves always brought conversation. Putting on a kind smile, she wandered what pack this wolf was in, if any, and she glanced round slowly, immediately spotting Ritbant. It was kind of difficult to miss him. Tilting her head to the right, Iris looked smiliar to a ghost in this fog, and spoke softly.
“Hello there. You don't need to get all agitated, I won't fight you." there was a hint of excitement in her voice, and her smile widened, "In fact, I refuse to fight you."

Her ear twitched at the sound of a faint bird. She sounded a bit patronising when she spoke, but Iris was used to talking to a pup for a year, what would you expect? She looked Ritbant up and down, curious, ears tilted forward. She was still completely relaxed, not a hair out of place. She didn’t know how she did it, but she did.
“Are you a loner?”

[wolfstar]

Ritbant was startled by the female. She was unusual, and his curiosity made him stop. He didn't like her condescending tone, but he cautiously sniffed the air and nodded his head by way of greeting. "My name is Ritbant. Yes I am a Loner." He was somewhat puzzled by her eager tone. What Loner wanted to meet other wolves? Those were in a pack. He looked over the fae with wary eyes. He hadn't lived as long as he had as a Loner by being trusting. Anything different had some measure of danger, like the things he did know.

Rit scuffed a paw absently on the ground. "And are you a Loner?" His voice was polite, not friendly, but not unfriendly either. He already knew she was, the question was for politeness.

[arbie]

Ritbant. She somehow recognised the name, but couldn’t put her paw on it. Probably because they had only met briefly before or something. She shrugged it off, just listening to Ritbant. Iris would be part of a pack, but she refused. She wasn’t fit for Falling Moon, Iris had learnt that as she grew up in the pack, but she refused to join Dancing stars. She felt Duke still had some little bit of pride in her, so if she joined Dancing Stars, that would be lost. Iris didn’t want that, she loved her father. If he had no pride in her, it would break her heart.

“Yes, I am.” she replied, stretching. She looked at Ritbant, not wanting to be rude, and sat back down again. Iris looked him up and down again, wondering what kind of wolf he was like. If he was a loner, it probably meant he didn’t like to talk. Iris hesitated, thinking of what to say.
“Did you come out here to have some peace?” she asked, eager to have conversation. Iris’ smile was still wide. She loved conversation, especially with other loners. She could learn a lot about the new Dancing Stars without having to go near them, which was useful.

[wolfstar]

Ritbant hesitated, his curiosity piqued even more. He settled down for a chat, though he was still guarded.

"I come here to be alone, to think, and to just not have to deal with the problems of my life. Though if I run into a Pack member, the peace is held cordially. Most wolves don't come in here." There was a question in his tone and bright green eyes. He was right, most wolves didn't come. They got lost in the fog, turning in circles.

Ritbant slowly relaxed. He was ready for a chat. He hadn't had a good one since his mother started to go mad.

[arbie]

Hmm. He was right. She nodded in agreement, knowing fine well it was true and that she didn’t have to lie about it. Ritbant seemed to be a little bit calmer now, perhaps because he understood that she was in no mood for a fight. She smiled a little thank you. It was always good to be polite to someone, especially if they were a fellow loner. They could come back to bite you. Literally.

“Yes, that’s true. I came her for a little bit of excitement, to be honest. I don’t get much of it nowadays.” she explained, “And meeting someone new is exciting enough for me. Looks like you have your little walk all planned out.” Iris chuckled softly, at the fact he would hold the peace cordially if it was a pack member, “But you should try not to fight unless it’s necessary.” she added softly.

Iris hated fighting. It was possibly the only thing she hated the most and that, if she ruled the Valley, she would ban anyone from it if they were caught fighting. Sure, it’d be a very dull Valley if that happened, but less dying would happen. Less blood would be shed and Iris could worry less. She just hoped none of the Falling Moons were fighting at this moment. It might make her family stressed, and she wouldn't be there to try and help them. Oh dear.

[wolfstar]

Rit looked in startlement at the fae. "Why not fight? I don't fight unless it's necessary, but sometimes it gets very boring, everyone aches for a fight, and away we go." He looked at her with slight amusement. He was going to stay for a while, and chat, so he figured he might as well be friendly. "I don't plan. i just go when 'm bored. I headed here for some peace and quiet after a fight I was in a little bit ago." he smiled, happy with action, though he didn't like killing. The other wolf had been fine, and they'd gone their separate ways.

"But I just wander about, never calling a single place home, not even this valley. I roam where I will, never anchored, never hampered, always free. It's a nice life."

[arbie]

Iris smiled slightly. She didn’t feel like she as being a scaredy-cat by not wanting a stranger to fight. She just felt somewhat protective of him, even if she didn’t know him personally but, who knows, maybe she will after this chat. Iris frowned, shaking her head.
“That’s not true. I don’t ache for a fight.” she said, then hesitated. She wanted to fight anyone that insulted or threatened her family, but that wasn’t necessarily an aching feeling. It was more of an expected protective-ism. She sighed softly and straightened her back a bit.

Her ears went against her skull. He was in a fight? Good lord.
“You’re not hurt too badly, are you?” she asked, worry clear in her voice. The female looked over Ritbant from where she was, not seeing any obvious wounds. She frowned at him, like a mother frowning at her son, and sighed again.
“So I won’t be seeing you.. During Winter maybe?” she guessed, changing the subject. She tilted her head to the right, hoping Ritbant might stay in Caden Valley for a while. He seemed nice.

[wolfstar]

Rit smiled slightly. "I'm here to relax for a time. No pack joining, but no moving on like dust like I usually do. I'll be here for a while, until I can't stand the sameness and leave."

Rit was idly wondering why the fae cared that much. Most Loners would rather that they were the only ones. He scuffed his paw, the winced slightly at the sharp reproach. He had fought, true, but he got away with bruises, and the other wolf had gotten away with a scratch. It had been a serious play fight sort of thing. First blood.

"Why do you care?" The question was frank, not angry. He was just curious, and his gleaming green eyes reflected that emotion.

[arbie]

Iris took in a short breath, noticing she had been too forward. She cared because she felt like she had to. If the Dancing Stars wouldn’t care for the Falling Moons, and the Falling Moons only cared about themselves and their family, then who would be there to care about everyone? Iris. She would feel no grudges against anyone, or she would try at least. She smiled slightly, looking Ritbant in the eye.

“I care because no one else will.” she said softly, “It’s not because I love you or anything… Lord, I don’t even know your personality. The reason is, really, because I like caring about people. I like having someone I can look out for, and I’ve taken it upon myself to look out for everyone.”
She made no point to mention that he could just tell her not to, because that wouldn’t work.

[wolfstar]

Rit smiled slightly. She reminded him of his sister, Lara. She had been kind and caring to. She had died. It was that simple. You had to know how to survive. Tis loner did, and she could do whatever she wanted. Lara hadn't, and she died.

He shook himself, stretching slightly. "It has been a pleasure meeting you Iris. I expect I will see you again." He peered into the mist that surrounded them, choosing a direction in which to wander."

He hesitated before starting though. He seemed to be making up his mind about something, turning indecisively. "Iris...perhaps this valley does need someone to care. Perhaps you're right, but that isn't for me." And he turned into the mist and started walking, a flickering flame in the vapor.