The Immortal Wanderer

[Paloma.}}]

Birds sang a melancholy song, mourning the loss of the day as the once-green forest appeared to have been set on fire with bright oranges and reds, bathed in the light of the setting sun.

One lone entity appeared out of place. A glowing white wolf, her coat reflecting the bloody light, padded with impossible silence, winding gracefully around trees. Her feet made no sound as she ghosted over the fallen leaves.

Paloma was out wandering again, as the Gods had given her no business elsewhere. She was not hiding herself under the Veil of Secrecy, a dangerous action as any mortal who may be wandering as well could see the creature that was clearly not one of them.

It didn't seem to matter at the moment as Paloma settled under an ancient spruce, its sweeping branches shielding many feet of earth from all but a few dapples of dying sunlight. It was this tree that had seen her birth, and her ascension into the ranks of the Heavenly. The fea's icy blue eyes slid shut as she rested her cheek against the rough bark.

The crunching of crushed leaves sent her eyes flying open again as the footfalls of another alerted her to the arrival of a mortal wolf. Forgetting completely that she was not Veiled, she relaxed again. She had nothing to fear.

Or so she thought.

[// Riddle]

- Ronin -

"... And each that morning equally lay; in leaves no step had trodden black." Indeed, they are like golden rivers, these two trails. He stood at a V in the forest. For whatever reason, the deer had cut these two trails clean some many years ago. Now each was coated in a blanket of gold and russet, the sunlight filtering down through the trees to set alight the fallen leaves. This was their glory, for in a few weeks time they would be blackened with rot, and shortly after that the winter snows would cover them. Truly, even in the summer what was one green leaf compared to another? No, this was their moment in time. Perhaps by choosing a path this shall also be my moment. Foolish thoughts, for a wolf.

Taking the left fork, the chocolate-colored wolf picked up a steady trot. His coat blended almost perfectly with the trees, as always, the only giveaway to his movement the one white rear paw. Emerald gaze wandered about, taking in the change that was taking place around him. Autumn was by far Ronin's favorite time of year. Everything smelled rich and real. He wanted to drink it in, savor it... but always winter came with bitter force. Sighing, he picked up the pace until the foliage around him blurred, the ground eaten away beneath his lengthy stride. It felt good like this, when the wind whistled so strongly in his ears that it drowned out all thought.

Too soon he had to halt, though. Another scent had caught his attention, like a snare of a sudden. Blinking, as he was unaware that any other traversed this territory as of yet, he continued forward with something of caution in his step. Auds pricked forward, maw parted slightly as if by both smell and taste he might identify the stranger. Leaves shifted, crunched, underfoot. A few branches reached out, whispered across his coat. Admittedly the brute was not one for stealth. Finally gaze caught a glimpse of the glowing white pelt, a small peak, between the branches of a large spruce. Debating only a moment, thoughts racing once more, he moved to where his approach would not be from behind, giving a sharp bark as he did so.

Auds once more flicked upright, hackles bristling slightly, letting the other know he wasn't one to back down immediately. Good intent was obvious in the male, though, as banner wavered slightly at hocks and eyes held no trace of hostility in them. Now I just hope she isn't one of those alpha-type females, always acting so prickly.

[Paloma.}}]

The footfalls abruptly stopped and a sharp bark signaled to Paloma that she'd been discovered. Her head turned abruptly.

Discovered? But that was impossible. Wasn't she...?

Paloma's eyes opened and, very carefully, she brushed a leaf with her paw. To her horror, the leaf made a crackling sound so soft a mortal would not hear it, lightly crushed under the weight of her paw.

Oh no...

When Veiled, a wolf did not disturb the scenery around them. They made no movement to the leaves as they moved, otherwise it would be clear that something that was only invisible was moving about. This made it blindingly obvious that she was not under her protective Veiling.

This was a disaster waiting to happen, certainly. The Gods would be furious with her for revealing herself to a mortal for reasons other than delivering a prophecy or taking them for Judgment. Certainly Amore would spare her but Ombra would find some way to have both her fur and her mantle in the same sweep.

Realizing she was wasn't helping the situation by showing her alarm on her features, she composed herself and brought a distant look to her eyes, lifting onto her paws with surreal grace.

"Who are you?" she asked, although there truly was no point to asking such. She knew exactly who he was. His name was Ronin, and his alliance, to himself, was a loner although she and the Gods already knew he was in alliance with what would soon be the Tierra Pack.

She rose her own hackles, a defiance touching her eyes although she could see no cruel intentions in his features. She was merely holding the façade of being oblivious to his inner mind, although being a Deity she knew it all.

She knew he would realize she was not a mortal creature, even if her glowing coat and the blue floral markings on the sides of her eyes, over her shoulders, and up her legs weren't a dead giveaway. There was something unnatural about the way she stood, fluid even in stillness. The air shimmered around her shoulders as though they were giving off a great heat, though it was only the unnerved twitching of her wide, feathery wings. She met the gaze of the brute and held it; the wiseness in her eyes that far surpassed the years her body seemed to be was very intimidating and hopefully it would send the other wolf running before he could realize anything else and make crazed assumptions.

Paloma knew there was only one exception to the rule of Unveiling oneself to a mortal. That was if the soul within the mortal perfectly matched and drew to that Deity or God's own soul. Their soul mate.

Paloma could not be sure if this was the case as she was too jumpy to attempt to touch the other wolf's inner light and find out.

She could only hope everything would go as she planned.

[// Riddle]

- Ronin -

He waited, patiently, as she seemed to come back to this world - as if there could be any possible other. Yes, angel, that is a leaf. The thought flew unbidden through his mind, and fangs flashed for an instant in a smile. She could be angel, all pure and white as she was. If only such angels existed, for those in his dreams wore hooves and horns and danced gleefully around the funeral pyres.

Finally the vixen came to some understanding of where she was, and gave him a most unceremonious greeting if ever he had heard one. Ronin let it slide, though. After all, he'd been the one to intrude on her peaceful afternoon. "I am called Ronin, among other things. What do they call you, sweet angel?" There was nothing mocking in his tones, just gentle curiosity. Indeed, he let his hackles lay flat once more and lowered to sit upon haunches, banner fanning the dirt behind him. A peculiar creature, neither taking the offensive nor defensive, as if she is aware of her own strength and that is enough for her.

Gaze finally roamed a bit more pointedly over the vixen, finding something entirely disconcerting about her. It was like a mirage, hovering and shimmering, bending the air into impossible shapes. His eyes did not want to focus on her liquid form, but he could not tear his gaze away. The blue markings on her cloud-white hide resembled vines and flowers and leaves, and reminded him of an old legend. His parents had once told a story of the earth's guardians, whose bodies were marked with glowing sigils in all shapes and sizes and patterns. Was she then a guardian? Perhaps one with an affinity for the flora?

Then his gaze was caught, drowned in that searing blue gaze of the vixen. There was a warning there, a hint of an age far greater than she appeared, of knowledge far more vast than his own. Understanding hit him hard, and emerald gaze narrowed. What need did she have of bristling fur or flashing fangs when she could convey messages with eyes such as those? She intended to frighten him off with naught but a hard glance. "I'll not be gone so easily, not when I have only just arrived and have yet to learn your name." Banner thumped the ground behind him, and labrums once more peeled back into a faint smile.

[Paloma.}}]

Yes, angel, that is a leaf, the brute's mind told her. Paloma very nearly laughed aloud despite the seriousness of the situation. So, he'd noticed her touching the leaf, had he? He was quite observant.

"I am called Ronin, among other things," he told her. "What do they call you, sweet angel?"

Ah, she'd heard this before. She wasn't particularly beautiful when compared to others of supernatural status, but she still seemed to gather quite a bit of unwanted attention. She could live out her limitless existence without a significant other, thank you very much, and she intended to do as such.

She eyed him as he examined her more closely. He seemed amazed, even just slightly afraid at what his inspection revealed, as most were. She made no outward response to him, though inside she was churning in guilt over her own idiocy. She should have run away long before, before he could realize she was not one of his kind. Idiocy in its purest form.

"Paloma," she responded finally. Her voice was like the stream's water flowing over smooth stones. "My name is Paloma. And I do admire your...hardheadedness, for lack of a better word, my dear Ronin, but flirting with one such as I is most unwise." Her features remained calm, expressionless. As long as she was going to be punished, she might as well be polite with this male, who was oblivious to her inner turmoil and the punishment that faced her.

Then his thoughts intruded upon her.

A peculiar creature, neither taking the offensive nor defensive, as if she is aware of her own strength and that is enough for her, he speculated.

She allowed herself a tiny smile. "You are right, and very perceptive you are, young Ronin. For you observed quite closely even the smallest movement as I touched the leaf to test my barrier, to see that there was none. For you can see the wiseness in my eyes, for I am older than you by many centuries past. For you can contemplate that I am not mortal, but you are not afraid." Her gaze bore into his. "What makes you so eternally understanding? Is it born in you, or have you reached a summit in your experiences? For even I as a Deity cannot see the inner turmoil behind your choices, and oh how I would love to understand them." Her features became pained.

"For many of this earth could learn something, a great deal, from one such as you. And perhaps there would be no Sheol, no Devils or Daemons, if they were all so understanding and observant as you seem, no, are."

[// Riddle]

She had not flinched under his gaze; hadn't tried to make herself appear either smaller nor larger. It all fit perfectly with his earlier thoughts about how she held herself. His mind still marveled at the way the air seemed to bend around her, flowing, but he held his tongue on that matter. Honest he might be, but rude he was not. Finally the vixen spoke, and Ronin's gaze noticeably lightened. It was nice to hear her speak; brought her to life. Had she simply stood there, he might have been inclined to walk away after a time and call her nothing but a mirage.

Hardheaded? Flirting? Pft... maybe a little... His mind slipped over all that she said, first indignant, then curious. Why should it be so unwise to flirt with her? It led to no harm, as far as he could tell. Perhaps she had already walked the path of love, and found only heartache at its end? Certainly he had travserved the waters before, and always he had found himself alone in the end. So started the wandering once more. Although, where my heart was broken others were healed. Was it not worth it then? If you could suffer a little to do a greater good for another, was it worth it?

She had paused, then carried on once more as if in answer to his very thoughts. Blinking in confusion, he let it go. It wasn't in his nature to question unless necessary, at least, not for private or sensitive information. Hold on... me... young? His thoughts soon followed her words once more, but as she spoke the tempo changed. She attributed so much more to him than was due. He was not afraid because she had not yet presented a threat to him. He was not understanding so much as willing to listen and make no judgements. He was, as he had always been, nothing special.

At her suddenly pained expression he gave a soft whine, wondering at what caused such anxiety. Rest easy, angel. I am not so special as to warrant such deep thoughts from you. "I am only a good listener, Paloma. I learned long ago not to pass judgement on others, but that does not make me a saint. Indeed, we all have flaws, do we not?" Just think, that I who you claim to be so understanding... should another come from those woods just now with a fight upon his mind, I would gladly fight and throw compassion to the wind to protect you... though I doubt you need such protection from me. Standing, he shook out his coat a bit, as much to hopefully lighten the mood as anything else. Giving a faint smile, he glanced down as his paws. "These paws don't like to remain still for long. Will you walk with me?"

[Paloma.}}]

Just think, that I who you claim to be so understanding... should another come from those woods just now with a fight upon his mind, I would gladly fight and throw compassion to the wind to protect you... though I doubt you need such protection from me, he thought, as though he were telling her this.

Paloma's eyes gentled. "Wouldn't we all, Ronin? Would the compassionate, gentle leader of us, who denounces war in every form, you know of him, I am sure, would he not throw down that compassion to defend his mate, and his clan? Is that not true?"

She lifted herself as well, having no need to shake the dirt from her coat, as none clung to it. She looked at him quietly.

"Certainly." She started off into the brush, weaving through the trees again with grace. She waited for him to ask her some question, such as, why did the air around her shoulders shimmer? Why did she have these marks in her fur? She could answer them, she supposed. This mortal wasn't as hard to be around as the others were. He was not as trivial as them, not as easily fooled.

She glanced over her shoulder at him, eyes curious.

"Do you not have any questions for me, Ronin? I am not afraid to answer them." Her expression beheld amusement.

[// Riddle]

He blinked confusion as she answered the very thoughts he had not voiced. Gaze narrowed slightly, contemplating suddenly about many things all at once. It lefts his thoughts jumbled and fragments, and he grasped at them like so many twigs. She appeared to know his thoughts; either that, or he was not as in control of his expressions as he thought. And the leader, surely he would protect his mate and clan, as any good wolf was expected to do. "...and if the stars threw down their spears, and watered heaven with their tears..." Would it be like that? Such a sorrowful occasion when Genade must rise to defend himself and his own despite his status as Kindness. These thoughts were too much, and he shook his head as if to clear them away.

The russet brute but smiled when she stood, glad for the diversion, and followed her quietly towards the woods. Here, with the sunlight off his face, he knew she could not be anything other than real. Quiet and graceful and as perfect as he had ever imagined a wolf might be, but wholly real. He stepped beside her, feeling clumsy and ignorant of a sudden. He did not let that rise to jealousy, though, nor did he try to rationalize things. She was far different from him; so be it.

"Perhaps I am afraid to hear the answers." Because if you are from some other realm, that means you cannot remain here. Even knowing she could hear both what he spoke and what he thought, he didn't bother to mask his words. Truly his deepest fears lay in loss. He had none who were close to him, none he could call kin or friend. Though his own parents would welcome him for a stay, he was not a part of their pack, and so not a part of their lives. In truth, he did not want to be. Parents were for puppies and yearlings. "What brings you to this place? I come... because my wanderings lead me here, I suppose."

[Paloma.}}]

- ooh, bat!


Paloma glanced at the brute. So he did not want her to leave. That was his only response to her otherworldliness? That was stunningly simplistic a response, was it not?

She picked her words carefully. "Everyone enjoys a little freedom time to time." There. That was enough, an answer to quench his curiosity, for the time being.

"Anything else, while we're on the subject?" She looked at him speculatively. "You should not be afraid of a truth that will inevitably lay itself before you within time, though when, I cannot be completely sure.

"I suppose you wonder what I am, respectively? You believe I am not of this realm, which is true, but my realm and yours are very closely connected. For day after day I dine with Ombra and Amore and Genade and all the others you know from your perceived myths. For day after day I pursue the evil workings of Amarice and his cruel mate Lujuria, and all of their greedy and evil-souled followers. I am one of the defenders of this world, Ronin. Now, what questions do you have for me?"

[// Riddle]

The day was proving to remain crisp, as autumn days should. The ground, so firm beneath his paws, invited him to run, and so without a word he broke into a steady trot. Each stride took him towards the unknown, and he was, never had been, afraid of the unknown. His breath misted in the air before him, hanging for an instant before he broke though it.

A little freedom. He could understand that. Not pressing for more information for the moment, he continued with the ground-eating pace until she spoke again. Slowing, he finally pulled to a halt, shifting so that he stood to face her. Auds flicked forward, brows drawing together as he thought about what she had said for a moment. "If not fear, then what should I face the truth with? Bland acceptance, perhaps? That does not provide for much excitement, angel." Any more than my lack of questions about your being does. He sat down hard, studying the ground a moment as he thought. Oh, Ronin both knew and accepted that she was different. What questions were appropriate to voice, though? He had never been the type to press overly much for personal information, aside from name and perhaps what pack another claimed.

He listened as she spoke, dial tipping a bit to one side occasionally as he mulled over her words. Perceived myths... Evils workings... Gaze snapped to hers when she mentioned being a defender of the world, and questions piled in his mind. Only one stood out, like a fresh blood trail. "What is your part in defending the world, Paloma?" She does not look like a warrior... they carry such grief about them no matter what they are fighting for.