Lost in Prayer [WM84 Attempt 2]

Alusia hummed and excited little tune as she trotted along to seek out Scritch. Kangee, Harley Quinn, Tinsel, Shenadoa, Sedna, Dulce, Clairibelle, and Calvin were here to keep her company again. Munros wasn't here this time but his packmate, Auruo, had shown up to see what everyone was up to. The last time she'd seen Scritch they'd decided to meet in the Valley, near the Ridge of Elders. Scritch had been going there more often, just because he liked the place. He belonged to the Yakone Pack, located in Kesuk bay, but he tended to roam from time to time. It was pretty obvious that the pack didn't want him there in the first place. There'd been plenty of handlers approaching him an attempt to tame him, but he didn't trust them. He preferred to spend his time with fellow canine Alusia...or so he thought.

Alusia hadn't told Scritch about her humanoid form and wouldn't for some time. She wanted to build some trust with him first….and hope that that trust wouldn't be broken. The little wolf let out a soft sigh as her eyes scanned over the valley. At first she didn't see him, his coat blending into his surroundings. Then, she saw his movement. “Good mornniiiinnng!” She called cheerfully down to the dappled tokota. Surprised by her loud greeting, Scritch jumped and lifted his head in surprise. Kangee, laughing at Alusia's enthusiasm, ran down the slope to greet his friend. Shenadoa bounced forwards too, bobbed tail wagging and twitching like mad with happiness. Scritch was awesome! She loved Scritch! Tinsel didn't take the time to hold her daughter back, figuring that Scritch liked her okay. There was no way that Auruo, Harley Quinn, Sedna, Dulce, Clairibelle, and Calvin were going to stop her either.

“So, what's on the agenda for the day?” Alusia asked as she sat down in front of the others. Scritch eventually had to push Shenadoa away, as she was far too excited and getting on his nerves a tiny bit. He began to scratch at his exposed belly, a horrible habit, and Tinsel grimaced slightly. Poor guy. Tinsel called for her daughter in dismay and Shenadoa returned to stand between her, and her grandfather, Calvin. The funny part was that Shenadoa wasn't even a pup. She was the same age as Harley Quinn and Auruo, and had pups of her own. Sedna and Clairibelle found her endearing, even if annoying. Dulce chose to stay away from her. The roan curly’s over hyperness put her on age. Scritch stopped digging momentarily, looking up. Alusia followed his gaze. “Ohh, the Ridge of Elders?” She inquired, her tail beginning to wag with excitement. “I've never been.” Scritch nodded in response. “It's the best way to get in touch with Aippaq...and I just ask him something.” He didn't provide much more information on that. “Besides, it'll be fun!” With that the dappled tokota bounced up and started forwards, leading them towards the huge ridge.

Harley Quinn, Tinsel, Shenadoa, Sedna, Dulce, Clairibelle, Auruo, and Calvin had varying opinions on going to the Ridge. Kangee, Sedna, Clairibelle, Tinsel, and Calvin didn't mind one bit. They'd met Aippaq at least once before, so they weren't afraid of His presence. Respectful, yes. Afraid, no. Harley Quinn, Shenadoa, and Auruo were a little more nervous though. They had not yet been graced with Aippaq's presence. Alusia doubted that they would even be able to see the God due to that. Dulce wouldn't either, considering that she was a equus ballator horse rather than a tokota. Alusia had seen him once, but why she didn't know. Typically the God only revealed himself to his beloved tokotas and their handlers, not weird little wolf girl hybrids who didn't have a tokota, or live in a tokota pack. Ah, but no matter. Scritch really wanted to go and she really wanted to hang out with Scritch more. It worked out. She couldn't help but wonder if she'd be able to see the God this time, or if he had only made a one time guest appearance the last time she'd seen him. She supposed she would find out in a few hours, maybe sooner with the fierce pace Scritch was setting. He has boundless energy!

Fortunately, every now and then Scritch would stop to give Alusia, Kangee, Harley Quinn, Tinsel, Shenadoa, Sedna, Dulce, Clairibelle, Auruo, and Calvin a break. Well, he claimed he was giving them a break. Actually he was digging at his exposed skin once again on these brief breaks. The snow and cold air in these lands were starting to get to him. “I think he just needs a break to scratch his itches.” Kangee whispered to Alusia, speaking her mind. She gave him a little smile, nodding in agreement. “In a couple weeks I'll show him my other form and maybe he'll let me make him some ointments.” She spoke softly so that Scritch wouldn't hear. He noticed Kangee and Alusia talking in soft tones though. “Whatcha talking about? Some juicy secret?” He inquired. Alusia just laughed nervously, opening her mouth to likely say something stupid, but Kangee likely saved her skin by speaking up instead. “We were just talking about how we think Shenadoa has a crush on you.” He liked. Shenadoa's head snapped up at that. “Hey! I do not!” She exclaimed, face growing warm. Scritch's own face began to grow a bit warm too. “Oh, okay. Well, let's go again.” With that he turned and started off. Kangee, Harley Quinn, Tinsel, Sedna, Clairibelle, Auruo, and Calvin followed, teasing Shenadoa all the while. “Thanks.” Alusia whispered, looking grateful as she got to her feet and started to follow.

The strange little menagerie kept pushing forwards, feeling the strain of the exercise in their muscles. This was no easy hike! Dulce had fallen behind, growing less and less interested in what the tokotas were up to. She definitely didn't want to leave them though. There were some wild tokotas and countless other predators lurking around here that could make a snack out of her. Scritch led the way, not speaking as he bounded forwards endlessly. He didn't seem to run out of any energy at all. Alusia, being much smaller and with shorter legs, was struggling to keep up. Harley Quinn, Tinsel, Sedna, Clairibelle, Auruo, and Calvin matched her pace so that she wouldn't get left behind. Kangee and Shenadoa flanked Scritch. Shenadoa was still acting rather meek towards Scritch now that she'd been supposedly called out for having a crush on him. He didn't believe it. Who would have a crush on a male with a condition such as his?

Finally Scritch slowed and then came to a halt. Alusia looked around, realizing that they just have reached the Ridge of Elders. She stopped, looking uncertain. Kangee, Tinsel, Sedna, Clairibelle, and Calvin acted naturally and came to sit around the edges of the ridge. Scritch sat down at the tip of the ridge. The others beckoned Alusia, Shenadoa, Auruo, and Harley Quinn to join them on the outskirts. Uncertain, Alusia came to sit beside Scritch. She opened her mouth to speak to him, but then noticed that his eyes were closed.