Somewhere in the Grass

[Quillmorr]

For one who had only known the comfort of the sand desert, the high grasses of the Cascade Fields that seemed to touch the sky was an fascinating discovery for Chico. The meadow had grown vibrant and green thanks to the budding spring, and a gentle breeze danced with the merry blades that rose to the Mexican wolf's chest.

Chico continued his cheery stroll through the fields. His brilliant orbs hungrily scanned the landscape, trying to take in every little detail and sensation. It was like walk into a different dimension, and it excited to the bone. Suddenly, a colorful butterfly fluttered up to him, as if inspecting this new comer in much the same way he was exploring the land. His golden eyes immediately locked onto the tiny critter as he gave a merry chuckle at its boldness. With silly grin across his face and his bushy tail vigorously wagging, Chico gleefully chased after the insect, totally unaware of where it may lead him.

[Richie]

Beyond an area of tall, light-brown grass lay a large brute, dozing where he fell after his journey there. His coat was a muddy brown color that blended well with the earth, his belly and muzzle, which lay upon his paws, a soft white. His auds twitched as they scanned the surrounding sounds. He shifted a bit. Perhaps .. pawsteps? A golden-brown orb was for a moment exposed but was quickly shut once more...

[Quillmorr]

"Hey! Slow down there!" Chico cried between fits of laughter. For such a tiny and fragile critter, the colorful butterfly was amazingly kin and agile. Every playful paw swipe or gentle pounce the Mexican wolf produced the insect swimmingly danced around flirtatiously.

Finally, the ballerina took an intermission on a large mound of dirt. As the butterfly tauntingly batted its wings at its playmate, as if daring him to try and catch it, a sly smile plagued Chico's facial features. Couching into an attack position, he teasingly cackled, "This all ends now, my little friend."

With no further delay, the petite brute leaped to capture its target. The butterfly, however, was one step ahead of the wolf and gingerly fluttered away. This caused Chico to crash land into the dirt mound...the very warm...and furry...and breathing...dirt mound....This did not look good...

[Richie]

A sharp yelp escaped the wolf's maw. The brute's ears instantly pricked, flag extended and hackles raised. A snarl appeared upon his maw as the somewhat heavy creature flung itself onto his back .. out of shock and reflex the brute's body twisted to the side unleashing teeth and claws into the offender's fur. He gave a squeeze while simultaneously attempting to move away before realizing the attacker was only a pup. There he froze. The wolf was small .. much smaller than he himself .. and might sustain an injury easily. The brute's shoulders raised as he stood, head lowered, to face the offender. He growled "What the hell do you think you're doing, kid!? Do you know who I am?" The brute quickly answered his question: "Someone who's bigger than you are! Who are you and what are you doing here jumpin' on whoever you please..?"

[Quillmorr]

Chico swiftly moved away from his aggressive company, his tail between his legs and utter shock smeared onto his facial features. The brute before him was larger than any he had seen before. In fact, everything about this wolf seemed foregin.

A part from his chocolate coat that had previously deceived him, he had white markings upon him in the queerest of places. Also, his body was build for power. This was defiantly a separate species he had never encountered.

Think, Chico! Think! the Mexican wolf's mind scolded, You've been in jams like this before.

"It was an honest mistake, my man" Chico nervously grinned, the thick accent of his desert dialect coating every word, "I didn't even see you, layin' there and all that good stuff. I mean, you got that whole camouflage thing down to a science."

With each honeyed word Chico spoke, he slowly took a few steps back. Perhaps he can get out of this one with his pelt still on his back.

[Richie]

"You lookin' for a fight?" The brute's eyes narrowed, then relaxed slightly. "Be more careful of where you're playin'.. honest mistake .. use your head next time." The fur on the wolf's shoulders lowered, but only a fraction of an inch. "Now .. where exactly did you come from - are you lost or somethin'? You look no more than a cub." The brute watched the small wolf with every word, noticing the color of his fur and the condition in which it was...

[Quillmorr]

Chico took careful notice of how his aggressor had relaxed after his schmooze, even if it was at the slightest.

'You're doin' great, Chico' the young brute's mind encouraged, 'Just keep talking, and he just may let you live.'

"Lost? Hehe? No, dude, I'm not lost" the shaggy desert dweller tried to explain as suavely as possible, "It's more like, y'know, adventuring. I'm from a desert pack kinda far from here. Uh, its called Santanna Barrens. Have ya heard of it? Hehe, no, of course not. I mean, not unless you like travel quite a bit. Then again maybe you do..."

Chico then began to let his thoughts wander of into oblivion. Anything that popped into his furry head was carelessly throw out into verbal format. It wasn't long before he had forgotten about the possible danger he could be in from his hostel company, and was casually sitting on the earth while catting away like a mad man about seemingly nothing.

[Richie]

The brute's lids fell slightly over his orbs though his brow was raised in the most possible way and his maw was still slightly curled. Auds wandered off from the small wolf's blabber. Stop talking. He sounds nervous as hell too. He adjusted his poise. "What do you say you be quiet for a minute and listen. How far off is this place? No one came with you?" The wolf could very possibly be a travelling loner .. but lone wolves rarely if ever claimed terrain. "Have you any others like yourself? And if so where are they..?" the brute asked.

[Quillmorr]

The scraggly Mexican wolf quickly snapped his free flowing jaw shut with a load clack when the order to stop was made by his company. He made no haste to rise to his paws, and stand in attention to give full audience to the ominous stranger as he growled out inquires.

'Lets try this again' the wolf's brain echoed to its holder in a tone of disdain and embarrassment, "This time, don't over do it.'

"My home of Santanna Barren is pretty far off from here...er, sir" Chico explained, this time with more control and composer, "In fact, I'm not very sure how far. Ya see, I'm an adventurer. I just follow my feet, and see where they take me. Heh, distance don't mean a thing to me. Did I come all by my lonesome? Yeah, I did. All my friends were content on staying in the pack lands, so I went on by myself to see the world. I'm sure you know the feeling, don'cha? The urge to see the sights?"

[Richie]

The brute hesitated a moment, flanks fell in a sigh; possibly in pity of the small wolf's uncertain ways. "...certainly." The fur lay flat upon his back and shoulders. He sensed no threat from the wolf who claimed to come from this Santana Barren a great distance away. He sounded true. "So you're an explorer of sorts .. just adventuring, are you? Ah, yes. And a bit frivelous if you don't mind my saying. I'll let you off now, but.." it showed in his eyes that he had not appreciated the previous events, "watch it." Unsure of whether the youngster would keep talking or simply flee, the brute watched his visage, trying to read his face. "What were you doing, then..?"

[Quillmorr]

Chico couldn't help but give a minuet chuckle of satisfaction when he saw his company's defenses fall. He was quite pleased with his ability to charm his way out of trouble. He also sensed that this brute was really a nice chap, even if he was a bit of a moody.

"Nice to see we could sort this out" the Mexican wolf grinned as his bushy tail swished with glee, "Ya see, my man, my target wasn't you. It was actually this sneaky little butterfly...excatly like that that one!"

Forgetting about the other wolf, Chico became transfixed on the same devilish insect that put him into this situation as it fluttered back to the area. He clumsily danced in a petite circle as he tried to flow the butterfly's path around him. It seemed it was as checking if this was the same wolf it played with before, and soon came to the conclusion it was indeed. It then decided that it wanted to play chase once again, and began to taint Chico into to following it. The winged critter swooped in and out of its new friends range until Chico could help but dash after it.

Gasping between fits of laughter, the young brute called back, "Smell ya later! By the way, my name's Chico!"

He did not bother to wait for a reply from his abandoned company. He had some unfinished business with the butterfly, and soon was out of sight.

[Richie]

Snorts as his auds fall back. "Kids."