[L.and M.anuever & M.ap]

[Lazli [S.inging A.ristocrat]]

Lazli awoke earlier this morning as the sun was breaking its barrier across the sky. The sky was a painting of reds, pinks, and blues. The cast of a gray dullness in the western side of the vast heavens. She had left their pirch upon the cliffs in the cave. She had an amiable sleep and was quite in good spirits. She had left Diacus sleeping where he had fallen the night before. He was just as tired as she was obviously even though he would never admit it. Her lithe form moved with a lithe grace as she moved along the terrace. Her paws dug through the dirt leaving prints that where obvious even to the unwarys eyes. Her orbs where taking in the land. She was determined to inspect all of the lands to make sure all was right and to get used to them. She wanted to quickly be able to form a map of the lands in her mind, to be able to pinpoint exactly where something was.

She slowed as she came along the expanse of a medium-sized lake. She stopped at the shallow edge and began to lap-up the cool, soul-drenching liquid. Water was indeed one of a wolf's essential needs. She could not imagine life without it, probably because there would be no life. Her life revolved around her new pack now and she was a industrious and resourceful wolf if any was. She was also ambitious. Her goal now was to become Head Scout. And she was determined to help Diacus find new wolves to join them.

She made her way completely around the width of the lake. She watched the fish swim through their daily lives. And in a second Lazli caught the movement out of the corner of her eye. She quickly turned to look at the tall grass that held the movement. She saw a quick flash of white and then it took of. Lazli let her instincts kick in and immediately left of fin pursuit of the large hare. It was plenty big enough for her greedy stomach. She was hot on the hares trail. It was a overly large rabbit so it must have been an aged adult. Even better for her, she enjoyed the older ones as they were the more tender ones. Though it was the opposite in deer. The older meant the tougher the meat. She let her mind go blank as she honed in on the rabbit. It was as if her vision went red. All she could see was the hare. Land and territory was moving by in blurred succession as she gained on the unsuspecting animal. It had no chance against an animal her size in the wilderness away from its burrow.

She quickly made a last desperate surge of speed and impaled the rabbit on her ivory canines. Hot liquid exploded into her mouth filling it as she fought to decrease her speed. It was difficult as her feet fought for a hold on the soft dirt. She finally dug her paws into a hard patch of mud and came to a complete stop. She began to slowly make her way back to the lake. She wanted to eat in the peaceful sight of the aqua-colored liquid as it moved with the breeze.

Arriving back near it she dropped to her stomache and began her feast upon the rabbit. She ripped open the cavity she had already made with her teeth and began to rip flesh from bone as she ate. She heard the tears as she made them and ignored the warm juices that ran down her maw. She would wash later. The blood covered her paws, chest and all of her muzzle. She was raveshing with hunger as she finished off the rabbit, leaving behind a bloody pile of grey fur and bones. Laz picked up one of the bones and mindlessly chewed on it as she watched the carnivorous birds moving around her hoping for their share of her kill. One of the dingy creatures dared get to close and she snapped up to all fours and snarled at the beast. Her canines dripping with the blood of the fallen hare. She looked absolutely murderous. Taking the bone with her she moved closer to the lake to walk into it. The water rose to her chest. The water tinged red as the blood moved away from her and melded itself into the water. She dipped her head into it and shook persuading the blood to remove itself from her. She raised her head out of the cold liquid and removed herself from the water so that she could shake the beads out of her pelt. She had hoped for company soon, but it seemed as if she would have none.

[Diacus]

After he had awakened, Diacus had seen a vision of the past. Just one of the horrendous things he had seen as a young pup living in Maldecor. Then he had to accept two new pack members. That was wonderful. Right now he was irritable, testy, and pained with a headache. All he wanted to do was go have a quick swim in the lake and relax in a cool spot for a while. Diacus walked with a determined place deeper into the territory to the lake he sought for. When he arrived there, he saw Lazli taking a swim herself. He had hoped to be alone so he could think and talk in peace, but he guessed it would wait. Oh she should hope that he would have been there alone for he was still on the warpath.
“Morning.” he said in an irritated tone as he looked at her. “What have you been up to since dawn? I didn’t see you at the borders…” Diacus eyed her, his lips dipped down in an aged frown. He eyed the carcass by her paws and snorted. “Is it so hard to eat breakfast when you don’t have work to do?” He eyed her before he turned to the water and slipped into it. He let out a shaky sigh as he went into the lake.

He swam in circles as he eyed Lazli. He was feeling a little better as his tensed muscles eased as the cold penetrated through his fur. Still, Lazli could start her first day of training today. That would be nice. The wolf submerged his head before bring it up quickly as to not drown himself. Paddling over to the edge, he shook water from his eyes and turned to his Delta Scout.
“Look around you, and tell me what you see.” A little task to go along with exercising the sense of sight. He would use this with young wolves to teach them communication skills during the hunt. Hopefully if Lazli took any knowledge from the task with the stick, maybe she would also with this simple question.

[Lazli [S.inging A.ristocrat]]

Lazli flicked her auds as the sound of Dia's approach brought her to her senses. She watched as he repeated the motions that she had done moments earlier. She had hoped for company, but in such foal moods. Her alabaster coat glinted in the sunlight. The sun was high on her perch this morning. Lazli could tell that the Alpha was in a disasterous mood. But she had also learned that when like this it was better to just step lightly. She didn't want to rile him any more than neccessary. Good Morning, Alpha. The hare was a unexpected catch. I came here to explore the land and see what I could learn.She sat down on her hindquarters as she listened to him. What did she see? Hm. I see . . . She looked around her and focused in on the miniscule of details. Of course, I see you and I. Then I see the blades of grass moving with the movement of ants and other small insects making their way to my kill. I see the night-colored birds waiting for us to take our leave. I see the way the wind moves the leaves in the trees, making it sound as if they are whispering. I see the way the current rides the water, moving in slow steady rhythems up the bank. The way the fish use these currents to catch the unexpecting insect that chance to get to close. I also take in the way the land here is so fertile and lush, because of the nutrients from the lake. I also can make out several paths that have been beaten down by the pad of many a feet. Not by wolves, but by the small game here. The rodents, rabbits, and hares that have made this land their home.She looked around her. There seemed to be so many more things that she could see, but not put a word to. She could just sense that they were right whatever they were. This land was in perfect harmony with its inhabitants.

Lazli looked once more to look at her Alpha. She couldn't help, but smile and chuckle at him. He looked like a drowned rat. She had to tease him. She always would probably be known for that from the day of her admittance on. Her icy orbs glinted with the laughter that she had knew better than let loose. She cocked her head at him and waited for his response.

[Diacus]

So she had come to explore the territory? Nothing was actually wrong with that. Still Diacus would not comment on it anymore. His head was throbbing still, but the morning breeze was soothing to his cooling form. His head turning to another direction, Diacus pretended to have his mind elsewhere as she went on with her description. He was paying attention, but intended insults were always used in his harsh teaching strategy. Pretending or not, he wasn’t impressed with the words he was given. Apparent details while mixed with irrelevant details. If that is what she sees then she needs much training. Now if he had turned around sooner and had seen her humored expression, he would have given out the lecture about taking her rank seriously. But he hadn’t seen it and was oblivious to it. Diacus finally looked at her.
“Hmph. Now… repeat what I say.” He paused and listened for a moment, his eyes still locked on Lazli. As he spoke, he paused for her to repeat after he said it or take in to repeat at the end. “I see the territory, Kaika Akegata where the sun rises over the tall trees and borders Spirit Lake. My position of interest is right beside the water, to the side opposite of the sunrise where I have caught myself a morning snack. The day has been cool and temperate, but with signs of fluctuation in temperature as the vernal season continues. From my vantage point, game are plentiful while living off of the shrubs and vegetation that have been thriving off of winter’s thaw. I would suggest a hunt later, Alpha Diacus, just within the forest boundary to the east of the lake where a herd has been detected. There is nothing else worth speaking of, save that is a very good day for a swim.” Diacus was humored by his last statement, but no laugh came out of his muzzle. Instead he began to pace after taking his eyes off her, continuing his teaching.
“Now… what do you think I may mean when I ask after your rounds, what have you seen?” He stopped pacing and glanced at her. “Now…tell me what you see.”

[Lazli [S.inging A.ristocrat]]

Laz eyeballed him. Why is he in such a fowl mood today? She slowly repeated after him before sticking her tongue out and waving it at him before he turned around. She let herself grin at him innocently before once more looking around. She sighed. She saw the same things she saw befor, but this time she took a deep breath and closed her eyes before opening them once more. Her breathing was slow and regular as she just stared ahead and let the things come to her. I see . . . she let out a minute before she blinked once. The sky in its lazy decent across the sky, but this time I see the plumpness and slight differentiating color of rain. I see the way the lake would be grateful for the rain as it looks as if the heat as had its effect upon the aqua. The fish are plentiful hinting at lack of carnivorous prey, but remain close to the bottom, probably from the heat of the sun. Also the patches of cacked mud show a decent in the water level. Grass is beaten and scarce in the underbrush from the decent of many stilts and hooves. And I see you in your bad mood. she couldn't help but throw in the last part. The lake showed signs of decline from the heat they had had the past week. She just began to notice this, yet she didn't know why she had missed it. It seemed so obvious now.

She looked once more at the brute before trying to make conversation with a bee that had landed close to her upon a late bloom of red irises.

[Diacus]

His head bobbed in approval whenever he heard details exuding a good example of a scout report but stood still once the approval faded when irrelevant details were given again. Diacus couldn’t pinpoint where she was. Of course they were at his Spirit Lake, but he would have to assume she was at some body of water. Accepting only unfeeling reports, Diacus did not think too much on Lazli’s sensory information. He had told her before to rely heavily on them, but now it was time to convert those skilled senses into concrete data. She seemed teachable, but he had finally caught on to Lazli’s slight childishness and perhaps a lack of care in her training. Before she had said she was willing to do anything for her rank and pack, but now it seemed her personality was showing through and not mixing well with the Alpha male’s. Diacus would not have it, and he would take all the time in the world to lecture.
“The sky is lazy, the lake is wanting, the fish are ignorant, and the ground is thirsty, yes, thank you. I will gladly address these matters at the next pack meeting.” His dull yellow eyes outlined his whole look to Lazli. He was uncaring, serious, and yes, not in too good a mood, but he’d teach anyway. Unfortunate for Laz.

“It appears that you do not care for this lesson. You can, if you wish, continue to make faces at me and ignore me the whole time. Then next pack meeting you’ll have a wonderful surprise that includes a task much harder than finding a… gnarled old stick crammed in some treacherous overhang. OR you could clamp your muzzle shut until asked to pry it open again and actually listen to what I have to say without distractions...” He took to pacing with a slight snort before continuing with his lesson.
“Your description is all right, but you need work. Mentions of the sky should only be used for displays of what time of day it is. Creatures, if they aren’t too peculiar, should not be mentioned to me. However prey must always be reported no matter if they are in the same place they were hours ago. Your comments on the ground are commendable. It tells me of the seasons health and what could possibly become quiet a dry summer. Things to remember: position, description, and points of interest.” Diacus paused to make eye contact with Lazli, making sure she was not messing around this time. “Tell me where you are firstly, give me a description of your rounds secondly including the time you had scoured the lands, prey location, season vitality and such. Then tell me anything that is to be kept in mind lastly. I doubt mentioning that your alpha is in a bad mood would be a good thing to remember…” Sitting down, Diacus and his crotchety voice rested for a moment. His ears twitched at the sound of the silence before he added. “Howl. Howl anything. A greeting, a warning, a message, anything. Howl.”

[Lazli [S.inging A.ristocrat]]

Laz sighed in defeat. She had to pay attention. Diacus was starting to get itchy in his mood. Her auds pricked and moved to and fro as he spoke. She listened more carefully this time. She took in everything, including his sarcastic wit about what she had just said. Goodness, he is being a grouch today. She sighed as he went on talking about what she should have said instead. She was good on her sight, but she did sometimes have trouble articulating what it was she was to say or wanted to say. She had not yet been given permission to speak so she began to watch her peripheral vision to try to see anything she had missed.

She listened as he told her exactly what she was to tell him when she reported. She put this in the back of her memory. She would undoubtedly need this and probably sooner than later. She repeated it in her head and studied the brute with a sudden spark of interest. She truly did want to learn, but she was a wolf who needed to be told what to do and then she would strive her best to meet those requirements plus go above and beyond. She tilted her head in question though as he told her to howl. She didn't know if he had meant in case the need ever arose or if he wanted her to howl now. She decided this was one time she had better ask. She did not want to seem like a fool if she did howl. She had learned long ago that it was better to ask a question when one had one rather than not and become an idiot in another's eyes. She opened her mouth to speak, Am I to howl now or when the need arises? The seriousness in her tone should have let him know that it was a legitimate question and not her being silly once more.

[Diacus]

Diacus sniffed the earth after eyeing something he thought was a tiny paw print. It was nothing worth noting, and he continued his lackadaisical, yet stern, attitude towards Lazli.
“Now.” he said without explanation, as he got comfortable in his spot in the grass. A howl told a lot about a wolf. Tone, depth, and what they were howling could tell mood, hidden motives, and other emotional things that Diacus could read easily. In fact, if every wolf howled before he met them, he’d be able to tell what type of wolf they were basically. Though he would have to pay attention. If there were commotion about he wouldn’t be able to hear much more than the overall emotion being emphasized in the call.
Glancing at Lazli, Diacus judged Lazli was back in the studious mood that he wouldn’t have to hear her whining and complaining any longer. He could, especially in such a tempered mood, demote Lazli because he wasn’t impressed with her as of today. But right now he wanted to relax, and work at the same time.

[Lazli [S.inging A.ristocrat]]

The fae shifted her position into a full regal sitting position, so that she could make his requested howl. She let her lungs take full advantage of the oxygen pouring its way into her lungs. She didn't know what he hoped to prove by making her howl, but she would do as she was told. She let loose a low octave, menacing howl of alert and danger. She knew it was loud and she closed her eyes as she did so, focusing on the sound she was letting loose from her maw. She was trying to convey the onslaught of danger in her voice, it caused her usually sing-song voice drop to a dangerously low baritone. She let the raw emotion bleed through the chorus of winding sounds, of how tired she was, of how she felt so alone,yet was surrounded by others at times. She sighed as she let the sound in a lowering of her voice.

Her voice ending its ballad she opened her now glowing orbs to stare at Diacus. She hoped he was through with his indiscernible ranting and pacing. She let her banner swish behind her as she laid her ears against her crown in expectation of his scrutiny and criticism.

[Diacus]

Sitting unmoved by the howl, Diacus appeared once again to not be paying attention. Though he did quiver a bit at the howl once it hit its highest pitch. The howl was a warning for others to stay back from impending danger. A cautious defensive howl ready to fight off hardships to come. Perhaps he had been a littler hard on her, leading her to howl a defensive howl almost saying, “Get off of my back!” He took this as the message and felt a little bad for his ill temper. When her howl finished its journey across the land, Diacus sat in silence. He eyed Lazli and nodded in approval. It was a howl that not only could send a message, but also a feeling, giving the messenger a more powerful meaning. He was now impressed, but couldn’t help to put the icing on the cake with a correctional demonstration.
Head low, muzzle opening to let out a howl. A powerful howl riveted across the horizon and spread it’s meaning over the Kaika Akegata. These lands were under the rule of Alpha Diacus Spiritum. A wolf who dictated order and control over his lands. The howl held an air of dignity and authority, but within its strong chords lied the true emotions inside the wolf who called.

The power was forced and shook with an intensity that one could take as determination to rule his lands or an uneasiness to control. In its strength, the howl hinted his inner weakness as it reverberated between hard notes and soft ones. The softer notes in the end won out and at its last echo the voice sounded like that of a lost young adult wishing a place to call home.
Diacus shut his muzzle once he felt that he had placed a good example of a howl in Lazli’s ears. He was aware of its contradicting meaning, but with that confusion it lead one to think to either simplify their own meanings or to complicate ones to hide meanings from spies.
“You have a very nice voice, Lazli. You now have a tongue to add to your timber. Congratulations.” He grinned, knowing that it would take a while for her to get what he meant. She had passed the first task involving the stick Diacus had hidden and now she had passed the task of her tongue in information giving. Perhaps she would know now that Diacus was impressed, and that she should keep up her good work.

[Lazli [S.inging A.ristocrat]]

Laz fell over in mock shock and started spasming. I am dying in shock. I think I just got a small smile and half compliment from the Great Diacus. She got back up and shook the debree from her fur. She stood in front of him and stood rigid and serious again. Thank you. And I am confused by your meaning of tongue in my timber? Laz hoped he would give an explanation, but knew in her heart that all she would get would be a Figure it out on your own, Lazli That was all she ever did was figure things out on her own. Ever since she was a pup. She sighed before taking her icy gaze else where. And Diacus, why was you in such a fowl mood? I don't understand. I know you probably won't tell me and you'll just brush me off, but if you want to tell me, I will listen. . . She looked back at him once more before moving to the lake to quench her thirst. The howl takes a toll on a wolf's lungs and throat.

[Diacus]

Diacus kept his smile, but otherwise did not laugh as Lazli joked at receiving a compliment from Diacus, which seemed to always be in short supply. Compliments were like seasonings. He’d give just enough as needed, never any more than that. He wasn’t surprised either that she did not understand his meaning. He was humored once again.
“I did not say that you have a tongue in your timber. But rather that you can now add the skill of tongue to your ability of timber.” He thought this was enough to explain his answer. But still it was unclear. He was using symbols that he used that no one else did. Symbols helped him to explain things that had occurred in the past. The symbols answered more than the things that were just there.
He was inquired now of his mood earlier on. Why he had been irritated and perhaps struck a nerve with his pack member. Diacus agreed that it would be necessary to provide an explanation, but perhaps not one that explained as much as it should.
“I had been awaken from my rest to a newcomer at the borders. I was already startled at the time and I was inadequate in giving the proper welcome to the wolf. Then there was another at the border and… I apologize that I let my temper get the best of me.” And that was all he’d give. The dream would speak too much of his weakness. It would tell her too much. She wasn’t allowed to know that. And perhaps never will.