Hunting and Howling (open)

[Ärï]

Coldfire looked over at Luin. "With the blood I've shed I might as well be" Coldfire barked, only a flicker of sorrow managing to get past his emotional mask. "I stand under no pack's name and honor no alphess nor alpha. No warriors call me their comrade for I can only repent in my loneliness." Turning once more, Coldfire padded on, his pace slow.

[daina]

Luin sighed. She murmered, "Then that only makes us equals."

[Ärï]

Coldfire laughed but it wasn't a humorous sound. It was cold and bitter. "No. I'm not equal to any wolf. I'm below them, at least, that's in my opinion." Coldfire paused in a pool of moonlight. His silver and ebony fur gleamed in the moonlight. He looked like a piece of silver that had been stained with ink. Coldfire looked over at Luin. "Why were you in such a bloody battle?"

[daina]

That struck her. Coldfire was not below anyone. They may not be equal in many things, but they certainly were equal in the level of dignity that they deserved.

"Because," Luin said, walking a little behind Coldfire, "I care about the packs, mainly the ones who believe in good. If a pack who does not care about anyone wins this fight, the world just wouldn't make sense anymore."

[Ärï]

Coldfire shook his head, flickering amber flames flaring open. "You're a confusing wolf Luin. Loners don't care for the packs. They fight their own battles. Unless you seek to join them, I suggest you keep a distance. They're tensed, wounded and frightened. Untrusted loners are not welcome at this time." Coldfire's ears pricked for a moment. Had he heard someone coming? No it was a starling. Relaxing, Coldfire continued watching the shifting shadows.

[daina]

"Is it wrong to care about the packs, but take no allegience?" asked Luin. "A loner can fight in a battle whoever they wish, and I chose to fight the Bloodmist pack."

[Ärï]

Coldfire shrugged and turned, continuing on into the moonlight-splattered forest. "Soon it may not matter" Coldfire murmured in a voice that barely carried back to Luin. Though he'd witnessed the battle, Coldfire had taken no side. Nor had he actually fought. He had observed the battle like many others that had sulked in the shadows, avoiding the scuffle yet seeing the most.

[daina]

"Fine," Luin said under her breath, then walked in the opposite direrction. "Stubborn brute."

[Ärï]

Padding out of the trees, Coldfire padded up the slope that looked down on the night-black trees. Moonlight seeped over his ebony streaked silver pelt. It felt good. They say moonlight has no temperature but Coldfire could tell. It felt cool as it dropped over his thick pelt. Reaching the crest in the hill, Coldfire sat back on his hunches and turned his muzzle skyward. A low masculine howl rang from the brute, echoing through the night.

[daina]

At the sound of a howl, most likely Coldfire's, Luin heard other wolves reply from far away. Shaking herself, the fae turned her face to the sky and gave a high howl. Maybe he's just so used to being alone, Luin thought, he doesn't understand the feeling of caring for others.