Blackfeather Woods Bring that summer on your shoulders
286 Posts
Ooc — Jess
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#1
All Welcome 
The search for Lucy thus far had produced no results, though he had been searching the free lands and had not gone close to the borders of any neighbouring packs. The reason being for that, mainly, was the fact that Shrike did not know where any of the other packs were, and naturally had an aversion when it came to going anywhere near another established pack territory. But Lucy had to be found, as did the wolf who had abducted her, and he still had a hope that one of the packs nearby had heard something or had perhaps seen her. He kept his distance, as Shrike had a good sense of smell and as soon as he reached an area which had begun to smell faintly of wolves, he stopped.

He shied sideways when a yellowed leaf brushed against his side as it fell to the ground. He looked at it for a moment and frowned. The nights were getting much colder and already his winter coat had begun to grow in; Shrike hated the cold. He couldn't help but feel a tinge of despair, though, thinking of little Lucy. The poor little girl would need warmth while she slept, providing she was still alive, of course. He hated to think she had perished already...But he had to keep searching until he found her.

He howled for a wolf on patrol, then, and felt slightly guilty doing so; he himself hated it when other wolves demanded attention at the borders, but at the same time, he felt a reasonable wolf would not begrudge him as soon as he explained that he was searching for an abducted pup. At the same time, he wasn't a loner looking for acceptance, so the meeting would not need to take long.

And that first kiss coming, let's just freeze the frame
Your eyes were closing, as mine were opening
Atâtak Atsanik
918 Posts
Ooc — Kuro
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#2
To bed had his children all gone, and then towards their mother had he moved them. They were growing, and would soon no longer be so easily relocated, and so he enjoyed the control that he had over them whilst it lasted. Each were looked upon fondly before he’d nosed his lover, informing her that he was going out on a nighttime patrol before having then left their familial den. Limbs were stretched and his alabaster coat shook clean, the motions being used, too, as a way to awaken his body and mind. It was not often that he went out on patrols at night anymore, his time more often than not being wrapped up in his children and their well-being. They took precedence, if he were to be honest, and so it was their lives that were guarded each night. Yet, tonight he’d set out on his own, deciding it best to carry out the task as often as he could before winter hit and he was truly needed within the den come each nightfall.

A short ways into his patrol and a howl had risen up over the canopies, requesting an audience. It was not a leader specifically that had been called for, and so he wondered if the stranger might actually wish to join; if they did, he doubted how valuable they might be, for the song sung had not been done so solely for a highly ranked member. No matter the reasoning, Kove’s path was altered in order for his legs to carry him in the direction whence it’d come. Brisk was his pace, a purpose in each step that lessened the time taken to reach the unknown lupine.

Upon his arrival, he’d slowed before coming to an eventual stop, regarding the other male with nothing more nor less than neutrality. A sniff to the air revealed the presence of multiple scents lingering on his figure, something similar to that of a pack wolf, though none of the fragrances were ones that he was familiar with. Either way, a nod was displayed in place of a verbal greeting, followed directly by, “Why are you here?” The Inuit’s tone was not harsh, but it also wasn’t particularly welcoming. He remained alert, watchful of the wolf’s body language as a precaution.
286 Posts
Ooc — Jess
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#3
Shrike sat while he waited, still contemplating the yellow leaf which had fallen to the ground beside him. He gritted his teeth as he imagined the leaf being somewhat like little Lucy; small, young, frail, and bound for nothing but waste. His ears turned back at the thought and he lifted his eyes, sharpening his gaze when he caught sight of another wolf moving toward him. His hackles raised instinctively as he saw the figure in the distance, but only because of nerves. He was on his guard, though the large, alabaster male did not charge toward him or show signs of aggression. Subservient, Shrike turned his head to the side, avoiding eye contact, and turning his ears back to show respect. He watched the male from one silver eye, and returned the nod he was given with respect.

"Shrike, from Redhawk Caldera," He said, words spoken in his typical quiet yet abrupt manner. "Thank you, for coming. A pup has been abducted from my pack by a rogue male; I've come to see if you've seen or heard anything about a young female pup- black pelt, blue eyes- or a lone male- black pelt, red eyes." He said. "Happened within the month; still searching." He said, a bit of his own tiredness and grief lingering in his voice as he spoke.

And that first kiss coming, let's just freeze the frame
Your eyes were closing, as mine were opening
Atâtak Atsanik
918 Posts
Ooc — Kuro
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#4
Silent, observant, his fiery gaze remained upon the stranger as his demeanor shifted. The way in which he’d responded physically had appealed to the man, for respect being shown was always better than arrogance. There was a moment in which he’d silently taken back his previous thoughts, though it was revealed that they mattered little, anyways. To join was not his intention, for already did he belong to another pack. It was one that he could not recall having ever heard about, but questions pertaining to the unrecognized band were never issued. With the reason behind his coming there placed out into the open, ears were quick to become erect atop the northerner’s crown. A child had been stolen from them, the description homogeneous to that of his own missing daughter. Curious was he, then, of whether or not the same male might have stolen from the woods young Qilaq; for the longest while, he’d assumed she’d wished to explore by her lonesome, but far too much time had passed without word from her. Something had happened to the whelp, just as something had happened to the Caldera’s child.

“Kove,” he’d returned once it was his turn to speak, the introduction followed-up on with a slow shake of his head. “I haven’t seen anyone that matches either of those descriptions. Wherever they went, they didn’t get close enough to these woods to draw any attention to themselves.” From what he knew, that is. Confident was he with his response, however, believing that he would have heard some sort of whispers throughout the woods had a lone wolf been spotted with a child. Especially so would the case have been if they would have neared Blackfeather, for he’d noticed how quick they often were to take in solitary children. “If you can keep an eye out for a girl with a black coat and grey eyes during your search, then I will do the same for your pack’s missing child,” suggested the ghost, offering a deal from which both could benefit. Obviously, he could not leave the forest just yet since his other children were still so young, but he had no problem with extending his patrols in order to try and locate, then capture, the red-eyed wolf.
286 Posts
Ooc — Jess
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#5
Shrike hadn't expected to find Lucy at the first pack he came to, but he listened to the tone of Kove's voice and could sense his honesty. He seemed to be fairly certain that Lucy and her kidnapper had not been seen around those parts, and he realized then that he had no idea what this pack's name was- he'd glean that information later. Shrike had been skeptical about finding Lucy at the very first pack he visited, and so did not have all his hopes shattered. There were many other packs for him to visit, as he had little faith that Teagan had fulfilled the task he'd promised to fulfill. He caught no trace of Teagan's scent in these parts, nor had he been able to scent the scout at all. He would report that back to Peregrine and alert the others in the pack to the fact that Teagan was lazy and a liar.

He gritted his teeth and lifted his gaze when Kove spoke of a lost pup from his own pack. He exhaled deeply, disappointed. How was this happening? Why were these kidnappers so rampant this year? He nodded firmly. "I will. I will alert my packmates as well." He said solemnly. "What is her name, and age? And what is your pack called?" He asked, so that the wolves of the Caldera could do everything they were able to do in order to return the favour and hopefully give this family back their lost little one.

And that first kiss coming, let's just freeze the frame
Your eyes were closing, as mine were opening
Atâtak Atsanik
918 Posts
Ooc — Kuro
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#6
A deal was struck, each male to keep an eye out for the others missing kin. Kove knew not where his lost daughter could have been taken, nor could he come up with anyone that might have thought it wise to steal her away. He considered Burke, but it’d not been long before the notion was dismissed. The old man had no reason to steal a child, nor did the guardian think him foolish enough to draw so near to the woods. Given the details surrounding his departure, and the events that had led up to it, it was unlikely that he’d have returned just to do something so cowardly. Besides, the description of the Caldera’s kidnapper didn’t match his former Brother, and he wanted to believe that the same wolf had committed both thefts.

“Her name’s Qilaq. She’d be around four months now,” he responded. “As for this pack, we’re known as Blackfeather.” Realizing that Shrike could someday return with news, he’d made a note to himself that he’d need to frequent the borders more often. The last thing he needed was for someone else to come along and scare him off, though such was a warning that he’d not given. Rather, he’d extended to him words of support, saying, “I hope you can find your pack’s kid.” He knew not if the little girl was older or younger than Qilaq, but it didn’t seem to matter either way. No child should be abducted from their home, their parents and family, and so he hoped that they both could be found and returned to their respective homes.
286 Posts
Ooc — Jess
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#7
Qilaq. He memorized the name, and wouold present this info at the next pack he visited, in case they had seen or heard of either Lucy or Qilaq. He nodded gratefully when Kove gave him the information he needed, and blinked his silver eyes. "Will be travelling to other nearby packs. Will pass her name on too." He said. After all, Shrike would have wanted the same had Kove come to the Caldera on his own search mission. "Lucy is ours. Three months maybe," He said softly, reluctant to try and peg an ag on the girl who was far too young to have experienced a kidnapping. Qilaq, too, was far too young- only four months old. It seemed completely unfair, for both pups to be stolen away from their families, but it only fuelled Shrike's need to find the youngsters and bring them back home.

"Gonna keep looking. Thanks for your help." He said with a nod, not wanting to waste his own time or Kove's, either. "I'll...I'll stop by again, sometime, and let you know if I find anything." Lucy was his priority, of course, and he really only planned to revisit Blackfeather if he heard something positive in either case, or if Lucy was returned to them. But he couldn't simply shrug off the duty of looking for Qilaq, seeing as he was already on the move.

And that first kiss coming, let's just freeze the frame
Your eyes were closing, as mine were opening
Atâtak Atsanik
918 Posts
Ooc — Kuro
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#8
Qilaq’s name would be passed along and, hopefully, someone might have some information on her current whereabouts. He nodded and said, “Thanks.” Though he could not leave on his own search and rescue mission, he was relieved to know that something would be done to help bring his daughter home. And, in return for that, he’d watch out for the Caldera’s kid. “Lucy,” he’d repeated, committing the name to memory. “I’ll keep an eye and ear out for her.” So easily could a whisper of a name travel on the wind, so he’d be listening closely to the words of travelers. Should anyone mention the girl’s name, he’d find a way to ensure that she was returned home.

“Good luck with your search,” Kove said. When the other mentioned stopping by again, he nodded. Good news was always favoured over bad, but, at this point, he’d take anything if it somehow related to Qilaq. So, the male’s future visit would be looked forward to. Presently, the Inuit would see the other off, and then return to the woods with a new expectation in mind.
286 Posts
Ooc — Jess
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#9
Kove seemed to be exactly what Shrike had hoped to meet- someone who didn't have too big a heart who would worry too much or ask too many questions and fawn over him and his pack for their loss, but who was to the point and quick. Shrike did not want to waste too much time at any given pack he visited, and Kove had done him the courtesy of not taking up too much of his time, but he seemed genuine when he said he'd keep an eye out for the girl. He would be sure to spread the word about Qilaq, as well, to return the favour.

"Thanks Kove," He said, with a nod of his head, and turned to leave, picking up a swift trot as he left Blackfeather and headed further West on his path to whichever pack came next.

And that first kiss coming, let's just freeze the frame
Your eyes were closing, as mine were opening