Little Fool Full of Folly

[Erinland]

"Oh." was all Kovarai could say. She'd expected something quite different. Haru made mate seeking sound so . . . boring. Was it really so bland? So formal? If what he said was true . . . what a horrible notion. Kovarai imagined fun and romance and play. Not instinct. Even the word sounded boring. Maybe he wasn't quite right.

"Are you sure it's like that?" She asked quickly, but she didn't look him in the face. Instead she looked at his feet. Lovely strong feet they were. Not unlike Solex. She had often admired Solex's feet, along with many other of his attributes.

"Never mind." She said suddenly. The little she wolf leaped up, shedding the leaves on her rump as well as her previous thoughts. She giggled, and surprised her counterpart, dashing in little circles. She ran up and nipped his ear, then his shoulder. She dashed around again and was becoming quite giddy. So much so that suddenly on her next turn around, instead of stopping, she went full speed, and barreled into Haru's side. They tumbled over, and Kovarai felt a rush of excitement through her veins. She growled playfully, and laughed loudly at the tangle they were in. In this very short time, she had become extremely fond of Haru, and as they finally stopped tumbling, she groomed his leg with her incisor teeth.

"That was fun! Don't you think?"

She wriggled her rump while on her back, continuing her happy growling at the lovely feeling.

"I think so, don't you think so?" She said again.

"I like you, Haru, you're alot of fun. Is everyone in your pack as fun as you?"

If they are, she mused, I might switch packs.

[Erinland]

The Runedar wolves looked up from their activities as they saw Alpha Silas Blanc and several other wolves trot in from their long patrol. Several members greeted the Alpha and licked his face in respect. The Ronde was not particularly busy, and Silas looked around for his son. Solex came around the rocks from the water and greeted his father by licking his face like the other wolves. He stepped back and laid his ears against his head.

"How are the borders Alpha?"

Silas sighed.

"Weak, Solex. They're weak. We need more patrollers. But it's more than markers, they just aren't respected. No one cares."

It was Silas' nature to be firm but not harsh. The border crossings were making him doubt his leadership abilities. Did an Alpha have to abuse in order to be respected? Was he too soft? Even if the answer to these questions was yes, He knew he didn't have it in him to be ruthless and tyrannic. He wanted to be firm, to be kind and sensible and wise. But maybe that's not what Runedar needed. His heart sank. Silas did not want to be replaced, and he was determined to try and turn the Runedarians back into the proud and strong pack he knew they could be.

"I checked the ice," Solex continued. "It was a bit thicker this morning, and pretty hard to get a drink, but thankfully the sun came out and shone all afternoon. I don't feel the change in temperature as much. Maybe it won't freeze tonight."

"Keep an eye on it, let me know. That's our best water source."

Suddenly, a wolf approached. She held her head low and her tail was pulled between her legs. Silas knew her as Gia, an older female who had joined when she was pregnant and birthed her pups within Runedar. She was a quiet wolf, and very nurturing with pups, even those not her own. Now, she looked worried, and she looked back and forth from Silas to Solex.

"Alpha?" She spoke softly and meekly, and Silas thought she looked like a mouse as she twitched her whiskers worriedly.

"Yes Gia? What is it?"

"Alpha, I'm sorry to bother you but . . . Well you see, I can't seem to find Kovarai, she's my youngest pup you know, and well . . . I'm worried."

She raised one of her paws in anxiety and her brows tilted up.

"She's so awfully fond of you Solex, I thought you mind have seen her?"

Solex thought for a moment.

"I did, but that was this morning. She was very excited though."

"You say she's a pup?" Silas asked. "I don't know if I remember her."

"Oh, well I tell her never to bother you Alpha." Gia said. "You see, she's nine months and very . . . excitable."

Silas smiled. "I see."

"But I've looked in all her regular places and I'm afraid . . . She might have crossed the border again."

The Alpha's face darkened.

[DA VINCI~]

Kovarai discarded the most recent of her many questions with a bark before charging into his shoulder, sending them both tumbling through the moss and small patches of snow. Haru more so felt than heard her growl into his side, nipping at him a couple times before settling down to groom at his leg. He chuckled slightly at the ticklish feeling it caused, rolling around to crush her under his weight before quickly tumbling off.

The unkempt wolf got up and lifted one of his strong limbs to playfully push Kovarai back onto the mossy ground as revenge. Growling slightly, he walked closer and promptly sat on her side, bending his neck to bite her snout with a slight sense of dominance. "I'unno," he said, muffled. "I 'wa nev-rr really educaffed mush on thfat." His lie was pretty outright, as his father had very often lectured him on 'finding his future like his brothers had' and 'starting his own pack.' Haru had never been interested on that matter; he kept with the Sukri through his mother's next litter, hunted and even ranked higher in the pack. Who would ever leave their family- their stronghold behind? And for something so belittled? A mate? Ridiculous!

Haru focused more intently on the next question his captive comrade had asked. He let go of her snout when she called him 'fun.'

"Fun?" He muttered with astonishment. A slight bitterness crept into his eyes, along with the surprise and smidgen of pride. His parents did well to try and keep 'fun' for when he was a pup. It was a strange concept that did nothing but provide temporary and distracting entertainment. Fun had never been much of a good thing in his precious bloodline, an unspoken agreement that Haru supported. To be called such a word was foreign and almost unwelcome. Almost.

Kovarai's warm, bubbly eyes suddenly rolled up to look at his. Haru gracefully got up from his perch and went to stand at her side instead. "Uh... Thanks." The male set to grooming himself, welcoming Kovarai's similar advance on his person. He didn't answer the question about his pack sharing the same characteristic Kovarai had bestowed upon him, for although it certainly was his place to judge, it seemed rhetoriacal.

Suddenly Haru's ears thrust forward, open and alert. An authoritative howl greeted them, announcing that it was time to eat and for all Sukrians to return to home base. With all the packs currently in a stoop, the howl was enforced by his father for safety and demographics.

The gray wolf shook the moss along with Kovarai's helpful teeth off his fur. He stood up to his full figure now, contrasting against his young friend in height as he did in color. "I have to go now; you should go as well." He saw her hopeful smile and his heart went out but he kept a strong composure. "I don't want to hear that you've been crossing my borders again," he added with a raised, almost playful brow. "At least have the decency to howl, eh?" He stepped back and turned to leave. "Maybe we can see each other later? My scout report is long overdue, anyways."

Haru nodded friendly before gesturing persistently for her to leave. The howl had reminded him that his absence would be noticed and on that note, he was sure Kovarai's pack mates were starting to miss her as well. The last thing the Sukri needed were the Runedar accusing them of kidnap, or worse, cross-conversing. With that in mind, Haru began a steady trot to the main clearing, rubbing his fur against any trees or rocks he passed by, trying to rid himself of Runedarian scent before it caught on too strongly. Haru kept casting glances furtively over his shoulder to make sure the 'intruder' he spent his daylight with wasn't planning on an extended stay.

((Figured this was the most practical thing to do. I predict a small beat-down for Kovarai when Silas, Gia and Solex smell Sukri on her. Then again, that goes both ways...))

[Erinland]

Kovarai's bright face dimmed as Haru got up to leave. Her brows went down and she pouted.

"You're leaving already? We were just starting to have fun!"

She hopped up and waved her tail bag and forth letting it droop, her excitement dulled.

"I don't want to hear that you've been crossing my borders again," Haru said."At least have the decency to howl, eh? Maybe we can see each other later? My scout report is long overdue, anyways."

Her tail sprang back up. See each other again?! Oh what a wonderful thought!

"Oh I will! I will howl. And we'll play again soon?" She said. It was a question, but Kovarai did not require an answer. In her mind it was already answered. Haru motioned for her to be on her way.

"Ok, well, I'll see you. Later! Ok. Bye Haru!" She watched him leave, and called out to him several times before he was out of sight. "Bye!"

The young female was quite satisfied with her little adventure and her new friend. She couldn't wait to tell everyone she had a secret that she would never tell. She trotted back toward Runedar, perky and chipper. As she Crossed the Sukri marker and stepped into the small bit of no-wolfs land, she stopped. Someone was nearby. She sniffed. Runedarians; pack mates. This did not worry her, and she continued on and passed Alpha Blanc's markers. After a few steps forward, her name was called.

"Kovarai!"

The little female looked around bright eyed. There on the ridge above was her mother, Solex, and Alpha Silas Blanc.

Her mother ran down to her. "Where have you been? Why didn't you tell me where you were going?" Gia growled a bit and took Kovarai's muzzle in her mouth. Kovarai pulled back and ignored her.

"Oh, please, mother. I'm not a pup."

But suddenly Gia was pushed to the side, and looming over her was Silas Blanc, white Alpha of Runedar. She did not respect her mother's authority, but she could not help but respect Silas'. Her ears went back and she shrank to the ground, with her tail tucked.

"Where have you been?" Silas asked, his voice very still and very deep.

"I . . . I . . . I went . . . for a walk." She trembled.

"Do not lie to me." The Alpha said.

Kovarai became afraid. Her scent. The alpha probably smelled Haru all over her. Would he hurt her? Kovarai had never felt so threatened before. She looked to Solex for help. Solex's brows were tilted in sympathy, but he stood still.

"Tell us where you've been." Silas said.

"I was . . . I only . . . there wasn't . . ." Kovarai's stuttering dug her hole deeper. "I . . . went across the border." She finally admitted.

She flinched as the big white male brought a heavy snarl up from his chest. In a swift move he bowled her over onto her back and stood over her. He snapped onto her muzzle and held it still. Kovarai pinched her eyes shut and pulled all of her appendages in, whining in remorse. After a moment, Silas stepped away.

"Do so no more," Silas said icily. "Or you will suffer the consequences."

[DA VINCI~]

As Haru walked into the main clearing he was greeted with the many somber faces of his packmates. There was a heavy blanket of seriousness overtop the air supply; A blanket of which created something he once strived for and appreciated, now gave an uncomfortable feeling of suffocation.

"Haru," a deep voice boomed from above. The wolf looked up to his father, no hesitation ­­­in his stare. Though he'd never been a good liar, he was always capable of staring his father down. Josiah on the other hand, was good at detecting liars. He didn't need to break too many walls passed his son's eyes to see that there was something amiss.

"Father..." Haru hung his head in respect of his authority; being slightly taller than his father meant constantly shrinking to fit the wolven demands. The Alpha's glare moved to strike through the crowd of wolves before him. He shoved Haru to the side, beckoning him to move along. Haru followed it, slinking behind his father and back beside his erratic sister who shot him a questioning look. Haru ignored it however, and tried to look as respectful as possible when his mother stepped proudly beside her mate and their speech began.

"I have called you all here as the normal procedure." Josiah nodded towards the pack whom repeated the action in understanding.
"Scouts with any infornation will speak with my son," The alpha's tail waved towards Haru and the younger male stood proudly with only his ears twitching as a give-away to his stress / honor towards receiving such a task. "Remember that breeding is prohibited and anyone whom already has pups is to keep an eye on them at all times. No one but the few already selected shall pass the borders we have marked." Josiah seemed to have finished his speech as the pack began to rustle to life once more, stopped when suddenly his demanding voice sounded out once more. "Sukrians, know this: The Runedar are our allies but their proximity is unwelcomed. Remind them of this only by marking borders. I do not with to threaten our allies but send them warnings. Remind yourselves of that. We are the Sukri and violence is not taught in our ways. Do not fratrenize with the Runedar; avoid disaster..."

Haru felt his father practically kick dirt in his face with that last remark. It was the Alphas' word and thus it was the law. And yet... Haru felt a nagging in his mind, two voices fighting. One wanted him to go off course his scouting tomorrow, meet Kovarai. Yet the other voice ordered him to follow protocol and keep to his father's wishes...

Haru's paws anxiously dug into the tall stone beneath him, "Surely it wouldn't be polite for me to simply disregard my invitation with Kovarai... I should at least see her and tell her that we can't meet again. Yeah. That's why I'll go..."

[Erinland]

"The Sukri is the only full wolf pack that has accepted Runedar's decision to allow shifters into our pack. We are very grateful for their alliance. However, the Sukri do require their privacy and space. Not only does crossing their borders violate the alliance, it is also extremely disrespectful and unwarranted. Kovarai. Kovarai, are you listening?"

Kovarai was not listening. She was preoccupied with a pebble she had gotten stuck between her toes.

"Kovarai I am attempting to explain to you why we must respect the Sukri border like the alpha has asked me to do. The least you could do is listen,"Solex said. "How do you expect to learn anything if you don't listen? Do you want to be punished again?"

Kovarai didn't look up. She had been ordered to sit still for this lecture, but she was angry with Solex. She suspected he was the one who had tattled on her in the first place. And when she'd looked to him for help when she was being punished, He'd done nothing. She continued giving him the cold shoulder and didn't answer. Solex sighed.

"One day, you'll grow up and get it through you're naive little head that we're doing this for your own good."

Kovarai frowned.

"Think about that for a while." Solex said. "I'll be back in a bit." The sandy male eyed her for a moment, then turned and trotted away.

The minute he was out of sight, Kovarai turned and loped away. She was determined to find Haru. Her mind had not stopped thinking of him since they'd met. She wanted to play, and have fun, and Haru was one of the most tempting ways of doing such. She also wanted to hurt Solex the way he'd hurt her. I'll go be with Haru, that'll show him. She wanted to make him jealous. To show him she didn't care for him one bit.


She carefully made her way back to their first meeting place. She tip-toed over both borders, and sat in the grass where they'd last been. She sniffed around, and smelled him faintly. Maybe he would show up. Maybe he wouldn't. But in any case she decided to wait and see. She lay down and wrapped her tail around her rump. Her brown eyes glanced around the clearing, watching for any rustling bushes or leaves. Maybe he would come.

[DA VINCI~]

Haru responsibly took in all the scouting reports; he ordered some borders to be marked, swiftly avoiding the mention of the clearing he'd been in before. When a pack mate made a joke, he responded eagerly with laughter; such a reaction was taken note of by his sibling's suspicious gaze. He ignored her looks throughout the next couple hours. They would have to talk; he just knew she would confront him about it. But such a thing was trivial for now as Haru's mind was preoccupied with thoughts of Kovarai's well-being.

Was she being scolded? Physically punished? There was no way his strong scent would have been ignored by the Runedar. Especially not Silas. His father and told him time and time again how he appreciated the new Alpha and his sense of justice and strengthening heart towards the Runedar. From what he knew, Silas was a strong and able-minded leader who noticed when something was amiss.

Haru wondered briefly if he should check the clearing once more though was doubtful of her presence. She was likely under eyes and he was already noticed by his family.

Again, he wondered if Kovarai was okay. What if she hadn't left at all? What if someone had found her waiting there with that dumb grin and those eager eyes? She would be brought forth to the Alpha, no doubt. Haru began to dig his paws into the dirt, pondering an appropriate choice of action.

A couple minutes later, Haru slipped off into the woodland, trotting inconspicuously towards the clearing where he discovered his young object of interest. His gray ears would twitch at every sound while his nose searched for any present smells. Haru often closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. Such times would start inner turmoils between ratting out the Runedarian or having a little fun.

Haru's emerald eyes caught on immediately the sandy figure that lay casually upon his grass. His nostrils flared and his tail waved uncertainly behind him. He looked over his shoulder once before trotting down the greet Kovarai. "Hello. I uh... didn't think you'd come back so soon." Haru understood the situation and was determined to tell Kovarai that she could not return. And yet the way she looked so elated with his arrival... it melted his heart and reminded him almost of his sister. He'd go along with it for now... just for now.

((Horrid ending for this post, I know. I simply couldn't have thought of a better ending))

[Erinland]

Kovarai leapt up as Haru entered the grassy clearing, her face radiating excitement. Her fluffy tail whisked back and forth joyously and her ears perked forward.

"Haru!" she piped.

"Hello. I uh... didn't think you'd come back so soon." He said.

"I came as soon as I could! I couldn't think of anything else but being with you again!" She bounced around, giggling. "I'm just so hap-hap-happy to see you! Now we can play again."

All things logical or sensible did not occur to Kovarai until long after the time to think likewise was past. In the present moment all ideas of punishments and forbiddings flew out the window. There was only she and Haru and what she wanted here and now. Kovarai did not posses much in the way of empathy or forethought. She didn't think of what turmoils Haru might be facing or what punishments he might have to endure as a result of their meeting. But she did not think of her own risks either.

"We could play hide and seek! Or tag, tag is always fun. Oh, I do know another new game! It's called . . . uhh. It's called . . ."
Her face frowned in thought and her eyes rolled skyward. "It's called . . ." It still did not come to her. "Oh, I can't remember. But it's like tag, only when you get touched, you freeze." The little wolf straightened like an arrow. "Freeze Tag!" She shrieked. "That's it!"

Kovarai laughed at herself then pushed her muzzle into Haru's personal space, very close to his face.

"You want to play? Oh, it's funnn . . . You'll like it!"
She made a leap and then froze, staring at Haru with her tail up. Blood pumped through her spastic veins and pushed her to act on impulse. She stepped forward and very naturally snuggled into Haru's chest and cheek. Without a thought to Haru's discomfort, she lifted her head and gave him a long warm lick.

"You smell so good!" She smiled, and then rolled over with a little growl. Kovarai was growing up, and she knew it. But she was still very young, and very naive and impressionable. And she was not mature enough to realize these things. She hopped back up and gave Haru a nip. She rushed away, trying to ignite a game. She dashed in several circles before coming back to Haru, her tail limp.

"Something wrong Haru?"

[DA VINCI~]

"I came as soon as I could! I couldn't think of anything else but being with you again!" Haru did a doubletake at that. How lonely could one of her age be to desire his company out of all? Or perhaps it was by choice that she wished for his being. This thought was incomprehendable for Haru as he should not be an option for her at all.

"I'm just so hap-hap-happy to see you! Now we can play again."

"Well actually," Haru began in a strong voice only to be cut off. Kovarai blabbered on about some strange and unfamiliar 'game'. The male sighed and and shifted with frustration. He wondered if Kovarai even understood the risk of the situation. If someone were to catch them even remotely conversing with one another, Hell's fury would surely schedule itself on his calender.

The gray wolf's brow sunk into a frown, unhappy with the thought of such a possibility. Although some would argue in his favor by saying that the borders between packs were unfair, Haru would have disagreed to say in the least. There were rules for a reason, borders being like fences; to allow privacy with the comfort of seeing your neighbors.

Suddenly, his 'neighbour' broke down that fence- stuffing her snout so close to his face that Haru nearly stumbled back in surprise. His ears flattened quickly and his jaws seperated just enough to show his distaste. Kovarai, being the completely oblivious wolf that she was simply laughed and invited him to play. He stepped back, regardless.

Haru regarded Kovarai with disbelieving, tight eyes. "Are you seri--" The wolf suddenly felt Kovarai snuggle into his chest. Her eyes closed briefly with contentment as his own widened. Haru rose his face away from hers and his posture stiffened. Kovarai continued her snuggle up to his cheek where her tongue lolled out and gave him a long, warm lick across the face.

Haru's eye twitched and his jaw tightened.
His body remained perfectly still even when the female seperated from him to roll around. She loped about to nip him in the shoulder. She bounced excitedly back and tried very obviously to initiate some play.

"Something wrong Haru?" No response.

His eyes remained stone-cold and focused ahead where a feminine figure copied his pose from afar. No doubt having followed his careful steps up to present point.

"Flower," Haru breathed and cast a guilty look towards Kovarai.

[Erinland]

Kovarai followed Haru's gaze. Her eyes landed on a female, much older than her. The little wolf froze, her face full of surprise for being caught with her Sukrian playmate. It seemed as if Haru knew her, but Kovarai knew that was little assurance. Unsure of what to do, she looked at Haru, but found no answer. Finally, Kovarai whipped around and tore off at full speed toward the Runedar territory. She'd been caught by a Sukrian, but maybe she could avoid being caught by her own pack. It wasn't fear of punishment or confinement that drove Kovarai to run. It was the thought of being kept from returning from Haru to show him more games, and have more fun.

She dashed over the borders and skidded to a stop inside Runedar. She stood panting and looking around slowly. Who was the Sukri female? Would she tattle on Haru the way Solex had done to her? For the first time she thought about Haru getting in trouble. She would have to be careful and try to return to Haru later. She thought of her smell, and cleverly decided to go and roll in the muddy spot in the creek.

The young wolf had her mud bath and came out looking terrible and feeling wonderfully smart. She trotted back to the Ronde, mud clumps slinging off with every step. She got stares and snickers from the other wolves, but they didn't bother her in the least. She smiled as Solex approached. He's missed me, she thought smugly. Solex eyed her suspiciously.

"Where have you been?"

"Rollin' in the mud." Kovarai said snootily. She flicked her head slightly, sending mud toward Solex. The mess landed on his nose and eyes. He growled.

"Sorry," Kovarai said, but she wasn't. She sauntered away, her nose lifted. She told herself she didn't care two bones about Solex. She cared about Haru. He was fun, he played with her, and most of all he listened to her. Things that Solex would never do. So who needed him?

Kovarai sat at the edge of the Ronde for several hours. The mud dried to her coat and made her look like a crusty mop. She wondered how long she should wait to seek out Haru once more. Would he even be able to see her again? If he couldn't come to her . . .

She began once more to plot her escape.