Through a Leader's Eyes

[Cascade]

Sendatsu lay on a rock, gazing off into the distance. The snow was growing less deep every day, and soon the ground would be exposed. He closed his eyes, smelling the air. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary at that moment, but an attack could come at any second...without warning. Over the years he had learned all this, and had grown to be a wise, strong leader. Protecting his clan was his life's duty, and nothing would ever get in the way of that.

Unfortunatly being a leader was the only thing Sendatsu really knew how to do. He could devise a battle plan in an instant, but ask him to entertain a litter of kittens and he would never be able to do it. Perhaps all those years of training had hardened him somehow...formed a shell around him that protected him from the social world. But he didn't care, leadership was all he knew, all he had ever known. Life was just fine through a leader's eyes, but through a person's eyes he was terribly lacking.

[Akemi]

A solitary figure made its way across the tundra, large paws keeping the majority of the lean body above the snowline and safe from drifts. A while back, this creature had passed through a small Spruce forest, and another was even now visible on the horizon. Yet the traveler did not change course and head for the shelter the trees would provide. She—for it was now clear the gender—headed forward in the less-tiring but medium paced trot. This animal of the Tundra is none other then snow leopard in species and adult in age.

Akemi was indeed ignoring the dark spot on the horizon that represented the clump of Spruce. She longed to be heading for a known shelter rather then chasing after something that could get her into trouble—or even killed. But the drive to find others of her kind was more overpowering now then it had ever been before. She longed to leave behind this harsh life as a loner and her more desired wish was to be accepted into a Clan by others of her species. She hadn’t even spoken to another snow leopard since her mother died more then two years ago.

Now, as she steadily loped along, her thoughts kept pace. She was completely unsure if this was the right move to make (searching out others of her kind), but there wouldn’t be enough time to make it to the shelter that small forest on the horizon would provide, so there was no turning back now. She fervently hoped that this scent she was following would indeed lead her to others of her species and that they would be welcoming. But, even with such limited experiences as her life had provided her with so far, she knew occurrences such as these were rare. Most times, to join a Clan or Pack, new members were required to fight to show their strength. Akemi was a thinker, not a fighter—though she was trained in the art, if it was ever needed.

The goal the female had set her sights on was of an outcropping of rock to which the smell she was currently following seemed to lead. After travel of more then half an hour, she had finally come within an easy distance of the rock, and could finally make it out in detail. What she saw sent her heart ramming up against her ribs: another snow leopard. From here it was impossible to tell the gender, but there mere sight of another of her species was thrilling in itself. She realized at the same moment that if she could see the other, the other could see her. Akemi slowed her pace to a walk, so as not to appear too aggressive or stir up an alarm—she had no idea how many others may still be hidden from view.

(( Meep. This turned out much longer then I thought it would. Sorry! From here on in my posts should be shorter. ))

[Xarae]

ooc: Sorreh to butt in, but, no need for shortness! Far from it! We applaud advanced-ness, which is not a word, you can type as much as you like! =D

[Akemi]

OOC: That's a relief! I just didn't want to look like I was showing off or anything. I try to avoid making long posts merely filled with air and bubbles (if you get my drift) and they usually have some purpose that reflects the length. ))

[Cascade]

ooc: Yes, we encourage long posts! I'm gonna have to step it up a notch to keep up with you so I don't look bad, lol.

ic: Sendatsu's tail twitched as a new scent reached his nose. His eyes flickered open, this scent was unfamiliar to him. Slowly he stood, eyes scanning his territory until they landed and locked upon the newcomer. Raising his head, he thrust out his chest to show his dominace and stood high upon the rock for a moment before leaping gracefully down, peering down at the female. He was situated on top of a high cliff and she was below, so he could see her more easily than she him.

Large paws carried him swiftly but regaly down the narrow path to the ground, making pawprints in the snow. As he was making his way down he examined the situation: The stranger was a female snow leopard; she was alone and did not appear hostile. Sendatsu still kept his guard up, for the most convincing act could be a most clever trick. Letting his guard down for a single moment could mean death.

He reached the bottom of the cliff, making a broad semi-circle around the unknown fae. He was a distance away, but not terribly far. If this snow leopard exibited hostile behaivior he would move, but for now the distance he stood was appropriate for the given situation. Not far, but not too close...just in case.

"State your name and business here." his voice was very deep, and the tone demanded answers quickly. He didn't waste time being polite, that was a foolsih thing to do. What kind of leader would greet a potentialy dangerous newcomer with a smile and a hug? Not he; Sendatsu handled every situation with caution, and only relaxed when he was 100 percent sure there was no danger. Even relaxed he was not very sociable. His were the qualities of a true leader...or so he told himself.

[Akemi]

OOC: Oh I’m sure you’re much more skilled then I ))

IC: Akemi halted her already slowed approach when the other rose to their paws. She had traveled a distance long enough to bring her within a range that allowed specialties such as gender to be distinguished. She could now tell this other snow leopard was a male, most likely older then she. With the signs of dominance that were then displayed, she knew she had found the Leader of this land—and could only hope he followed some of the same basic laws she herself had picked up in her travels. One might call these laws etiquette; others would call them rules on how to not get beaten to a bloody pulp when meeting another for the first time.

Even from their extended distance, she could clearly see the size difference: He was strong and large, well-fed from the game his lands provided. She carried the smaller bones of her gender, as well as the decreased size of a semi-starved loner. The female knew she appeared vulnerable, easily ‘taken care of’—in the bad way—or ‘done away with’.

Following those aforementioned laws, Akemi did not give off a sign of challenge. Her actions: those of stillness and a slight lowering of the head, as well as a folding back of the ears, portrayed her to be cautious, but not a threat. This Leader was liable to be extremely wary despite these movements, and she really couldn’t blame him. Feelings of apprehension and nervousness mixed with those of elation and excitement.

“I am called Akemi, and I have come for you.” As soon as the words fell of her tongue she regretted them. She was quite positive she had just ruined any chances of getting more then a snarl and a sharp rejection from these lands. The male would take her words as a challenge, or as some weird sort of declaration. Maybe he would even consider her a little touched in the head. “I-I mean, I came because I found your scent and....” The words had just rushed out, her usual calm and calculating mind disowning her—and at what a time! Now how was she supposed to finish? Spill all her hopes and desires to one she had not yet come within close proximity to? To one she didn’t even know the name of?

[Cascade]

Sendatsu's eyes narrowed and he circled around the fae, putting her in between himself and the cliff wall. He lowered his head, not trusting this female, to protect his throat should she attack. Doubt as to whether or not this stranger could be trusted was thick in his mind, and he emitted a low warning growl, "State your business." he demanded once again, "If you wish for a fight I strongly suggest you leave this place, as confrontation will only lead to your demise."

He stepped forward a bit, raising his head slightly and flicking his tail in agitation. He had evaluated the situation carefuly and concluded that if the two were to fight, he would easily win. She was in what was obviously to her unfamiliar terrain; besides, Sendatsu had one more trick up his sleeve. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply, then unleashed his power.

Stepping forward with two legs and back with the other two, he lowered his head until it almost touched the ground...concentrating. Suddenly, the snow began to move, and three walls of snow formed around Akemi, freezing into ice instantly. There was a wall at her back and sides, leaving her front open so Sendatsu could still see her. Then, he snapped back to attention and the walls shattered, shards of ice slicing through the air away from the unknown leopard.

"I'll ask you once agian," the leader of the clan said, "What business do you have here? And choose your words wisely."

[Akemi]

The unknown is probably the most terrifying and all-species-spanning force that will ever exist. Terror gripped her heart now: the knowledge that her last mistake had most certainly been made, that this place was no paradise of welcoming souls but merely a death trap iced with the pure white of snowfall. And it was her own stupidity that had created this situation, spiraling out of control as it was.

Yet as the walls of ice grew around Akemi, retreat annihilated and all hope lost, so was her mind snapped back into an order that she had thought had permanently abandoned her. Her thoughts once again flowed smoothly, more precise and sharp then they had been in months. So this brute had power? Perhaps a form of magic and more strength then she had ever witnessed? What of it. She was her own soul and would die with the honor and in the way she chose.

Her posture straightened, ears flicked forward. “I am Akemi. I have come here on my own power, alone, and have found this place by following your scent. I search for others of my kind, and have found you. I desire to learn more about these lands and the ways of those who dwell here. I seek a guide, one who can merely inform: that is my purpose.”

Inside a flicker of hope was reestablished. Even if he merely chased her away, he would have no logical reason to kill her now...she hoped. Silence as a reply was waited for.

[Cascade]

Sendatsu's eyes narrowed even more, and he returned to "alpha position." He moved once more, this time closer. He stood right in front of the fae, towering over her, "So...If I am not mistaken, you wish to join this clan?" he frowned, "You are quite foolish, next time plan out what you are going to say ahead of time to avoid confusion. When you first opened your mouth I mistook you for a threat. If the situation had been different perhaps you would be dead right now."

He had no pity for this female, her disorganized words had put her own life in danger, something Sendatsu was sure he would never have done. He looked at others' actions and compared them to what should have been said and done, what the correct way to handle a situation was. He never considered that fact that no one was perfect, and was so blinded by trying to achieve a state of perfection that he forgot what the word truly ment.

The male looked into the faes eyes, his own hard and cold, "My name is Sendatsu," he said, "I am the leader of the Snow Leopard clan. I will allow you into my ranks, and you will be placed under the ategory of the Watched. If you prove yourself worthy, perhaps I will let you become one of the Trusted." from the otne of his voice, it sounded like something like that would never happen, and it was a foolish dream to chase, "Do not forget...I am the leader here. If and when I give an order, I expect it to be carried out immeadiatly and without error. Failure to do so will result in a fitting punishment. Do you understand? There are no questions."

[Akemi]

Hm. Better off then even she could have anticipated. Apparently he thought she was worthy enough to be accepted into his Clan. Yet when she heard the harsh words issuing forth from his maw, she had to figuratively and almost literally bite her tongue to keep back a sharp comeback she had in mind. It was along the lines of: Well, if you were in my position and I in yours, perhaps I would have gotten of my super-inflated cloud of egotisticalness and considered what it is like to be a lone female in this most deadly of worlds. Learning more already, stupid girl. She thought after holding back the above comment. The thought was implied to mean learning how to bite her tongue.

When he began to speak again, introducing himself and the position she was being placed in, she listened alertly. Wouldn’t want to make Big Head over there angry. Immediately she regretted the thought. He probably had his own issues to deal with other then some random loner wandering about the countryside.

She bowed her head at the completion of his speech, and raised it slightly to look up into his face. “I am honored to have been deemed worthy to join the ranks of the Clan of the Snow Leopards. I am, unfortunately, not perfect, but will strive to put your orders before myself and complete the assigned tasks thoroughly and satisfactorily.” Now how the word came so easily. Oh, curse her tongue!

[Cascade]

Sendatsu snorted in distaste, "You had better hope that be so." was his parting words before acending back up the cliff to lay on his rock and survey the horizon, "I have no use for you at the moment," he said, "You may leave and explore the terrain, as it is quite obvious that this land is new to you. Do not go to the spruce forest or the high mountains, as they are the homes of other clans." he stared straight ahead, "Come back by sunset."

[Akemi]

"Yes...sir." Akemi replied, bowing her head again before straightening up. This time it was fully: head elevated, ears perked, tail twitching. She began to move, trotted to the right of the outcropping he had reasserted himself on, and went off to explore the rather bleak looking landscape. Time to get acquainted with her new home. And to see if there was anyone around here who was a bit more civilized.

Once she thought she had put enough distance between herself and Sendatsu, se snorted lightly, expressing her current opinion of the male in a rather obvious fashion. No matter, that was past now. Perhaps his icy demeanor would warm up a bit once they were a little bit more acquainted with the other.

[Cascade]

Sendatsu watched the female go, sighing to himself. In a different situation he would likely have rejected her...but with his clan broken apart, he took all he could get. Beggers couldn't be choosers, he knew that. But something about the fae made every bone in his body want to scream out in rejection. She seemed to be his polar opposite, which ment the opposite of "perfection."

The Leopard Leadr's thoughts were interrupted by the growl of his stomach. He remembered that he hadn't eaten in two days, and jumped down from the rock, landing softly in the snow. It was time to hunt, and perhaps he would catch something big enough for two...perhaps. He cirtainly wouldn't go chasing caribou all by himself, not even he was stron enough to do that. Turning his head slightly, he walked off to his prefered hunting spot by the Mizu River.

*Sendatsu has left*

[Akemi]

OOC: Whoops: Akemi has also left.