stranger in a savage land

The steppe was unfamiliar still, yet it did not deter him. Arsenal moved through the qide field, his massive frame a shadow beneath the glow or the sun, a cold gaze scanning the terrain with sharp precision. Every step was measured, heavy feet sinking into the earth, leaving his mark on a land that did not yet know him—but soon would.

The wind carried the scents of prey, of beasts that had yet to feel the weight of a true predator’s gaze. The rustling of unseen creatures reached his ears, but none dared to reveal themselves. Not yet. They would learn his presence, would know the dread of his claim.

He stalked along the ridgeline, taking in the stretch of land below—the rivers carving through stone and grass. This would do. The land was strong, untamed. His pack would thrive here, when it rose.

A distant howl broke the silence, unfamiliar. Yet another unfamiliar scent. That of a wolf. Arsenal paused, head tilting slightly as a low growl rumbled deep in his chest. A challenge. Someone tread his land, unwanted and unwelcomed.

He bared his teeth, the ghost of a snarl curling his lips before he pressed forward, deeper into the unknown. Let them come. Let them see who this steppe now belonged to.

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@Rat As requested! :3

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As far as it was concerned, the Steppe belonged to no one.

Normally, the creature - the dog - the street rat - Rat would not venture too far from the large tree. It provided shelter and comfort in a way they did not understand, and kept them relatively close to the pack of wolves it had been smelling for weeks. The kind wolf had been there, hadn't they? So perhaps the wolves there were all kind.

Still, it wasn't yet brave enough to attempt to greet them. Could not speak as well as it could in its dreams. Even if it approached, would it be able to communicate? Would they understand?

Rat hardly understood, most days.

Still, it craved closeness. Companionship. Nights were long and cold and Rat longed for a friend who did not exist.

So they walked.

It was a vast, open grassland they'd come across. Not as unforgiving as the one that haunted their dreams, but still vast enough that they felt small. Felt alone.

Until they weren't as alone as they thought.

Wolf scent filled their nose and they paused, ears perking and head on a swivel, seeking the source. They did not have to seek long, however, for the wolf found them first. A large, masculine creature, face twisted into a snarl. Rat skittered a few steps back, multicolored eyes widening.

They'd crouched down lower, submissive, fur standing on end as they waited to see what the

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The wolf, the creature came near. Then they skittered back, lowering to the ground. A gesture of submission. It was so sudden that Arsenal didn't quite expect it.

But he didn't dislike it either.

Chin ascending, his lip lowered slowly. The deep rumble in his chest quieted, but didn't dissappear entirely.

As if sizing this one up—even though there wasn't much to size up—he circled them, each movement with purseful stride. His golden eyes glowered down upon them, cold and firm.

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Like a buzzard overhead, this wolf circled them. Round and round, looking at it as if it were a piece of frozen meat on the ground. There was still a low growling in his throat, keeping Rat on its stomach, hoping to make itself small and invisible.

What did he want from it? It couldn't tell.

Instead, it rolled onto its back, tail wagging at the tip where it was tucked well between its legs. It whined, quiet and nervous, hoping to appease the other wolf in some way.

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A tiny and putrid thing, by the looks. He wasn't sure what to make of it.

But only one question hindered his thoughts: where did this creature intend on going?

If further into the step, it would need to be decided if they could remain. But if beyond, he would need to ensure they did not cross the steppe without supervision. He would not allow the unwelcomed to pass through.

For now, he could only choose to reserve judgement and see what became of the little thing.

With a gruff sound—alike a chuff, almost—he glowered one final time at the creature before turning. A small wave of his tail invited them to follow, but the remaining curl of his lip suggested a warning if they were to cross any lines. No tolerance would be held for any unwanted behaviors. One wrong move, and they were out. Or dead. It all depended on his mood.

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Relief washed over them when the larger wolf stepped away, giving them space. For the moment, they were no longer in danger of being attacked or eaten or driven off, it seemed. Their tail remained tucked to their stomach, but they cautiously scrambled to their paws, plastering themself belly-first to the ground. 

A chuff and an invitation. Rat's eyes widened a little in surprise, but they would not argue. Eagerly, they moved after the man, giving him a respectable amount of space even as their tail loosened from their belly and began to wag a little looser. 

Rat made a questioning sound - a sort of short, bitten-off whine. Where were they going?

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