Wanderlost

---------------------------------------Traveling Wolf:---------------------------------------

After she was pinned down by a burning log during a forest fire, Lost was never quite the same. Trapped in her own den, in her panic, she was eventually able to work herself free -- but not fast enough to save her mate or pups from the consuming flames.

The experience left her with a permanent scar on her back, as well as an intense fear of fire and close quarters. It wasn't very hard for her to avoid other wolves. As many tended to be frightened of her twisted scars and haunted gaze. Lost walked for many moons alone, vowing that she would never run another pack again.

But while on first glance she might seem frightening, beneath the old wolf's harsh appearance is a shy and gentle wolf who longs desperately for a friend. ...But who would be the first?

---------------------------------------Rules:---------------------------------------

1.) Due to her old age, I ask that you try not to hold onto her for longer than 3-5 rollovers at most. (The sooner, the better)
2.) She is trained as a stalker, and has 100% proficiency. Feel free to place her in whatever role you wish, however!
3.) You are welcome to breed her --- though unfortunately, I think she may be slightly too old by the time she reaches her next heat (if not, go for it!)
4.) I love lore more than anything, and would really appreciate if you added some when she joins her pack -- no matter how small. I may even send you a small thank-you gift if you do a really nice job with it.

---------------------------------------Travel Log:---------------------------------------

Date: 10/28/2022
Pack Name: Mare Stellaris
Decor: Blue Jay Feather decor
Lore:

Wanderlost encountered Daine on the edge of the Grasslands, the alpha female had taken a defensive stance but her lip was not curling back. She did not sense ill will towards this older female and wondered briefly if this was another traveler, as the pack often took in wandering wolves for a spell. " Are you a lost soul or do I have to fear an attack against my pack?" She asked bluntly, her belly swollen from pregnancy and it was clear that despite that, she would fight to defend her own. Oberon stepped up behind his alpha, his enormous size and posture definitely communicating that he would not allow harm to come to his pack sister.

Wanderlost lowered her ears and tail, taking a soft submissive stance, to show she was not a threat. " No, my name is Wanderlost and I am venturing out for a bit before I am too many moons old to do so again. I promise you, I mean you no harm." She replied, her voice a bit hoarse from thirst, there was not a good water source for miles out here.

Daine softened her stance and walked forward towards the female and greeted her as wolves do and sniffed her. It was then she recognized the scent of Winterchill's former pack on her and relaxed her stance. " Forgive the suspicion, Wanderlost, we were only being cautious. Come and join us, rest your paws and I believe we have plenty of fresh killed elk to share with you." She replied and the older female seemed to perk up and followed the female back to her pack.

While in the short days with the group, she did no go out with the hunters but she did spend time with the pack, spoke briefly with Winterchill. But as was her desire, after a few moons, she was ready to travel again. Before she left, Daine presented her with a blue jay feather decor, a gift each traveler to Mare Stellaris received upon leaving. " Safe travels Wanderlost and may the Moon watch over you and the Sun illuminate your path." Daine offered and the pack seen Wanderlost off with a chorus of howls.

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Date: 30 October 2022
Pack Name: Nightfallers
Decor: Grouse Feather Decor
Lore: With Wanderlost's age slowly catching up to her, life seemed to catch up as well, as not even a few pawsteps in a pack territory she was met with a cool-based male who didn't even hesitate to snarl at her presence.

"Leave!" He bolstered, raising his hackles.

Wanderlost blinked, the weary look in her eyes caving in as she was just about to turn around. Her strides were slow, yet enough to still make distance.

And yet, a voice; soothing, calm, warm, had echoed through the taigan forest, "Wait! Please wait!"

Wanderlost paused, her elderly features slowly gravitating to face the caller. "Hmm?"

A female, trailing in the fallen leaves, huffed, "Please... Please wait- Phew! Sorry about the sudden calling, but are you traveling by chance?"

"I am," Wanderlost replied, slightly side-eyeing to the male who was still very present in the situation.

"Vel... We're not taking in another-" The male pressured.

"By Kimera we aren't Fără," the one deemed Vel snapped back. She sighed, flicking her ear. "I'm deeply sorry about him. We've started dealing with the process of an heir for our pack, and it seems he wants to keep our daughter in check. Please, please, come along. And have this as well." Vel nudged a cluster of grouse feathers together, "Adorn this by your ear, as this will help remind you of the brute, although unwillingly so, yet calm nature a grouse can bring, and what our pack is. Come now. Let's get you rested up and fed. I'm sure you're starved."

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Date: 31 October 2022
Pack Name: Yapok (formerly Possum) #71217
Decor: Spicebush Swallowtail
Lore: Lost's next stop was deep in the swamp. Hearing the sounds of a large group bickering, she hesitated, but she was hungry and alone. Perhaps they had food, or a friendly face or two.
She stumbled out of the fog to find an entire pack arguing around what looked like a large, unlit pyre. Only one wolf noticed her, a young russet male with a sad face, Nelyo. Pulling her into the crowd, Nelyo shushed her confused protests and hissed, "Try to blend in, maybe they won't notice you."
"Who?"
"Them!" Nelyo gestured vaguely around the pack. "Half of these folk won't pass up a chance to harry or even hurt a stranger, and you're clearly exhausted. Just blend in while everyone's distracted with this, uh...this."
The two of them listened to others arguing about what to do with the pyre. The thing should be left alone as it was clearly dangerous; it should be lit, just to see what happens; it should be lit because it will confer great power.
The pyre settled the argument by roaring to life of its own accord. Amid howls of fear and delight, Lost began to panic at the raging flames. Seeing this, Nelyo nudged her away in the chaos and ushered her to the guest den. She spent two uneasy nights recuperating while some of the nicer wolves in the clan kept her company. Nelyo gave her a swallowtail pupa to take with her on her journey, a splash of light from a dark place.


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Date: 2 November 2022
Pack Name: Rolling Howl
Decor: White Oak Sapling
Lore:

It was on the tail end of winter when Wanderlost found herself on the frosted Taiga. Harsh winds blew over the plains, raking cold claws across the exposed scars of her back. Yet above the winds, a symphony of howls sounded. They carried with them the promise of a wolf pack, of warm dens and warm food and warm bodies.

Lost trudged through the snow with the hope of sheltering from the elements, and she finds herself greeted by the wolves of the Rowling Howl. The wolves there were quite hospitable, ensuring Lost was well fed and well entertained throughout her stay. Though there were a number of pups among their ranks who gasped and whispered at the sight of the scarred wolf, they were quickly shushed by their sitters.

"Don't mind them," a senior pupsitter told her, with fur whiter than winter snow and moons older than even Lost was. "They are still naive to the realities of the world. You can help us teach them if you'd like."

Lost had been surprised by the offer. She had vowed not to run a pack again and hadn't expected such a responsibility as teaching their next generation, however minor a part she played. Yet the pups were looking at her now with curiosity, not shock.

So she agreed, even just for a couple of lessons. Lost was an experienced tracker and taught the pups to find acorns buried in the soil and snow. They didn't always find all of them, and a young sapling made itself known in the play area to herald the spring.

"Leaving so soon?" The same pupsitter from before, Quill, asked as he found her seated by the sapling.

"I cannot stay," Lost insisted.

The older wolf nodded sagely, touching the sprouting leaves gently with his pink snout. "Perhaps not, but you have left your mark on this pack. Just as you have in previous travels, just as you will again soon. I hope for you to find a home someday, and know that you will be missed when you've gone."
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Date: ???
Pack Name: ???
Decor: Scar [Foot], Old Railway
Lore [written by Proxy]:

The next pack attacked before she even crossed the border.

Wanderlost was not a fighter. The pack of black and ashen wolves quickly had the elderly wolf pinned to the ground, and would have surely killed her on sight, if not from the direct intervention from their leader.

She suspected it was not an act of mercy, however. As Lost found herself being quickly escorted into their territory, without much say in the matter.

These wolves' ways were strange and frightening to her. A cruelty she witnessed firsthand, upon the return of the hunting parties.

The leader was the first one to eat -- refusing to share as much as a single bite with the others, until he had already eaten his fill.

Next came the hunters, who were already already well-fed and sleek with muscle. By the time the pupsitters and nursing mothers got to the meager remains, there was barely any food left for the rest of them.

Wanderlost's heart ached as she witnessed the elders and pups pick at what little meat remained on the bones. Looking up at her with hungry, hollow eyes; their matted fur stretched thin over wire frames.

One of the puppies was in a particularly pitiful state. At only 2 1/2 months old, he was barely past weaning. All the pups were weak, but this one was so far gone, it could barely even move. It just lay in the corner, just... breathing.

Wanderlost's heart ached with pain and rage as she watched him lie there. As wolves carefully stepped around the pup, as if he wasn't even there. How could they do this to one of their own kin? She dearly wanted to slip him the little mouse she had been given -- or comfort him, at least.

But there was little she could do, with so many of them watching.

...

In the dead of night, Wanderlost managed to slip away from the others. Thankfully, her dark fur blended almost seamlessly into the night. As she stole towards the border, she noticed a familiar patch of amber merle, lying near the outside of the nursery cave.

Wanderlost paused, and padded a little closer. The pup was still breathing. Barely.

Wanderlost crept closer to the enterance of the cave, her heart pounding. If she were caught, the consequences would likely be deadly for the both of them. But she knew if she left him there, she would never forgive herself.

Wanderlost paused, as she crouched over the little pup, and glanced around the dim light of the cave. The sleeping den-mothers did not stir.

Wanderlost bent down, picked up the abandoned puppy by the scruff of its neck, and backed away slowly. Then, she began running.

A rush of shame and guilt came over Wanderlost as she limped across the border. The little pup seemed to grow heavier with every step. To steal a pup from a pack was a terrible crime - but what else could she have done?

She wouldn't keep him, of course. No matter how much she wanted to. Wanderlost couldn't trust herself to be around pups. Not now, never again. Besides, the life of a traveler was not suitable for such a young thing. Especially one already so weak.

Wanderlost decided she would bring him to the first friendly pack she could find that would be willing to take him in. Anything, at this point felt like an improvement.

After that, Wanderlost would keep running. So if the pack was still looking for her, at least they wouldn't find the pup.

As she glanced down at the little merle bundle in her jaws; the puppy stirred and yawned, and Wanderlost couldn't help but smile.

The little pup would probably never even know her name. By the time he would be old enough to find her, she would likely already be gone. But that was alright.

All that mattered was the little pup was going to survive. Wanderlost would make sure of that.

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Date: November 4th, 2022
Pack Name: Astra Lupus Pack
Decor: Gambel Oak Sapling
Lore:
After the horrors she had faced at the last pack, Wanderlost found herself exhausted. After parting ways with the pup she rescued, she carried on with her journey. Heading in the direction of a pack who she heard was welcoming of travelers.

Despite the tales shared by her fellow travelers, Lost was cautious upon entering their territory. She could tell from the moment she entered their territory by just how strong the scent of wolves were.

Despite her unease she carried on, hoping to find a place to rest her weary bones.

As she followed the trail deeper into the forest, she tripped over a root in the ground. Falling to the forest floor, Lost let out a defeated sigh. She was prepared to rest where she laid and continue her journey when she awoke.

Just as she closed her eyes she heard the sound of a bush rustling nearby. Her eyes shot open and she lifted her head, looking for what caused the sound.
"Hello there!" A dark wolf called out as they stepped out onto the path in front of her. "Are you lost, traveler?" The wolf asked, tilting their head to the side in question.

Not trusting her voice just yet, Wanderlost nodded her head. Where had this wolf come from?

"Well the forest floor is not a good place to rest. Let me show you back to our packsite," they offered, nodding their head in the direction of their home. "This way. It's not too far up ahead."

Rising to her feet, Lost followed the dark wolf in the direction of their pack. Eager for a chance to rest some place safe.

"What's your name, traveler? Mine's Sirius. It's a pleasure to meet you." He greeted, looking back at Lost as he walked.

"Wanderlost? What a wonderful name. I guess that might explain why you were lost." He teased with a small smirk. Turning to face forward, Sirius and Wanderlost entered a busy packsite.

Despite it being so late, the packsite was still bustling with activity. Hunters are dragging prey in, sitters are gathering their pups for bed, den mothers are sitting and gossiping.

In the middle of it all laid a large dark male resting upon a large flat rock with a den underneath.
Upon seeing Sirius enter the packsite, the male rose to his feet and hopped off the rock.

"My friend! It appears that you have brought us a guest!" The wolf called out with a slight wag of his tail.

He walked over, his posture loose and relaxed, not seemingly threatened at all by Wanderlost's appearance.

"What might your name be, friend?" The wolf asked once he came to a halt in front the two wolves.

"My name is Wanderlost," Wanderlost spoke up, their voice wavering a bit showing their unease. "I am a traveler. I have come seeking a place to stay for a few days."

"Well let me be the first to welcome you, Wanderlost. My name is Orion. I am the leader of this pack." Orion greeted warmly with a small bow of his head.

And what a good next few days it was. Her stay at the Astra Lupus pack was full of kindness and laughter. She never once went to bed hungry and if she was ever cold, the pupsitters were quick to warm her up. They treated her like a member of their pack.

When it was time for her to leave, they all made sure to say their goodbyes. The herbalist, Iaso, even gave her a gift. A small sapling to remember them by.

She will remember them fondly.
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