Bramblepoint know who you are

For @Vassago! Please feel free to jump in or make a cameo @Cypress and @Rain!

 

The distance that the tro had gone was unmesaruable and a non-directed meander. Instead, it was a way of their curiousity and it visualized just how distracted the boy were when it came to exploring. They had seen much in the days since setting off. The depths of the Teekons were a visual spectactular, offering the trio many oppratunities to explore. In this exploring, Rannoch was finding himself growing more used to having company. Not feeling as much of a need to scramble away, the burly male found himself sticking around the band more often then not. 

On this particulary sunny day Rannoch found himself scouting ahead of @Cypress and @Rian, though, the two were easily in view. A peciliar scent had caught his attention, one that he could not identify, and such curiousity drirected him into the tangle of Bramblepoint. It was as he ventured into the woods that he realized that there was a certain aroma about the territory as a whole, the air brimming with spices of the various gifts that the trees bore. 

Finding this scent both overwhelming and intoxicating, Rannoch veered off the beaten track to observe the blossoming canopy. Having never experienced a bloom in person, the boy was curious to find out just what was going on with the trees. Pausing before an apple tree, Rannoch propped himself against the trunk whislt standing on his hind-paws as he gazed up to investigate.

[table width=80%][tr][td]The young hunter lingered - unsure of what to do next. He had left home, but now what? It was too late for him to go back and too soon to travel much farther than he had already done. He felt lost and yet in place; flying yet standing - no, sinking in quicksand. At night, he went into the fields to admire the fireflies. At day, he hunted a rabbit or two (he was certainly getting better at that) and then slept till midnight again. He had no one to talk to but passing strangers that never stuck around longer than a few minutes and he had lost count of the days he had spent on his own. Surely mother would be worried right now - surely father had noticed yet another son had gone missing. But Vassago could only think of one thing; finding Pyro and escaping to lands beyond anything imaginable yet again.

He ventured into the woods he had explored a bit already, sniffing in the many scents of blooming flowers that would soon turn into ripe berries safe to eat. Well, not ALL of them of course, but he'd find out about that someday. All he knew that the scents and colours attracted butterflies - creatures he loved to chase but could never quite catch. He didn't want to catch them; they were simply too beautiful. The trees brought perfect shade and he finally felt alive again.

That was, until the scent of strangers drifted past him and his ears perked. He wrinkled the bridge of his muzzle, trying hard to track the trail but ultimately ended up wandering instead of actually tracking. Usually he was good at it, but the many scents tipped his senses off no matter how hard he tried. It was near a peculiar tree he saw someone; sure, it was not his brother (this guy was far bigger and bulkier and looked more like father if anyone else) but at least it was a different face. The Rochester, who was roughly the same size as the young man that looked around his age, cleared his throat in a sense of greeting and looked questioningly at the other.[/td][/tr][/table]

Despite the amount of attention that he had invested in his observation, Rannoch quickly removed himself from his concentration as the scent of the other began to mingle with the aroma of the blossoming trees. His ears perked and his brows darkened at this as he grew curious about the scent. Though it was undeniable "wolfy", Rannoch had not smelled the pack-scent that the other carried on him. Curious, he turned from his investigation and towards the stranger. 

"Hey," he greeted from his lofty position, his tail lifting slightly despite his friendly demeanour. There had been a shift within the former prince of the evergreens, one which moved his body in particular ways in the company of others. Though he wasn't sure just what drove this, nor was he aware of it most of the time. In time, Rannoch would come to learn that these were the first inklings of dominance that he would feel and said sensations would grow. 

Dismounting from the bark, Rannoch felt a sense of curiosity spark within him as he grew curious about the stranger and his intentions. "Who're you?" Turning to face the stranger, Rannoch asked this lamely in an attempt to spark conversation.

As Rannoch veered off their current course, Rian found himself turning to follow and even motioned for Cypress to do the same. He harbored no desire to stray too far from his cousins, despite being a bit older and possibly more equipped for the task. But, like Rannoch, he did occasionally scout ahead or range in search of food to bring back to their campsites—so far the jobs were fairly evenly dispersed among them, and Rian felt no need to squabble about his own lot in the pecking order. It was a middling, non-demanding affair, and he prefered to keep it that way.

The burly yearling followed his nose through the thicket of brambles to an interesting, frostbitten pile, of fur and bone. Time had stripped it of any reasonable characteristics, though he was able to discern that the body was once a rabbit of some kind. There was nothing left to scavenge from it, but it was interesting nonetheless. If Cypress had followed him instead of Rannoch, he might have motioned to it with a quirk of his brow, but otherwise remained mum on whatever thoughts he had. 

However, when Rannoch's voice cut through the flowering woodland, Rian's own ears shot up, followed shortly by his head as he peered over the thorny underbrush. His heart thumped anxiously, and his throat constricted a bit, but he would not be cowed so easily. Rian shouldered through the tangle and came to rest a few yards from the conversation, eyes fixated on the large, and unfamiliar, tawny teenager.

[table width=80%][tr][td]The hunter was noticed; the judging eyes of the other slipping over his physique in a way that could only be in greeting. Vassago was scared of how much he looked like his father; it was still unclear how many half-siblings he had all over Teekon. And what about Mother? She surely had brothers and sisters as well. He could be looking at someone related to him and could hardly focus on anything but hiding his true identity. If word spread that the young prince of Arthendal had fled home to find his brother, it would mean trouble. Not to mention the hate he feared of the wolves of the Dark Brotherhood. He nodded in greeting, the stump that was left of his tail raising and wiggling in a friendly manner when he approached further.

His eyes grew wide at the sudden (yet expected) question and he opened his maw to say something only to close it again. He needed a new name - and quick! Duuhh uh - Tryp. My name's Tryp. He said with as much confidence as he could muster. It was not long after that another joined the scene quietly - almost unnoticed. So that was why he had had trouble tracking just one... And... you are? He asked carefully, the question directed at anyone who was in ear-shot.[/td][/tr][/table]

Cypress tailed Rian in utter silence, long snout dipping to nose at the bedraggled strip of hide and its odd collection of brittle bones for a thorough, investigative sniff. Tall ears flicked, swiveling automatically at the sound of an unfamiliar voice, but when Rian broke through the brambles to assess the stranger, the eidolon hung back. He emerged from the gnarled bracken moments later with the strip of hide clutched between his jaws, intense sulphureous eyes taking in the large, heavily muscled wolf with typical impassiveness. Leathery nostrils flared as his lips peeled back to draw in the Rochester’s scent, and he filed away the odd name for safekeeping without deigning to offer his own — his mouth was full, after all.

It was at this point that Cypress did a very un-Cypress-like thing.

Awkwardly, the wild-furred raven shook his head, allowing the agouti strip of fur to flash and flicker tauntingly. He tossed it in the air, caught it between his teeth, and shook it again, tail lashing madly behind him, his rangy musculature as loose and relaxed as he could make it. Come and take it, he dared the three, backing away with a rumble that was fifty percent playfulness, fifty percent anxiety. Like his brothers in arms, Cypress was a rather maladjusted youth — but he certainly meant well. He waggled his head at Rian, whuffing through the mouthful of fur, then singled out his brother with a hesitant bow. Being least comfortable with Tryp — an unknown quantity — Cypress turned to the silver-saddled wolf last, but the whisk of his tail and scuttle of his hindquarters was uncharacteristically good-natured.

I dun fucked up the post order, but Chan and I are cool. Sorry guys!

Only when he wagged it did Rian notice the boy lacked most of his tail—an unfortunate stump was all that remained from whatever accident took the rest. He blinked. It was also  worth noting that he seemed somewhat... nervous, maybe? But Rian was, too, so he couldn't fault him for it. Still, something was off. But Cypress joined them before he could say anything about it, or even give his own name. Rian looked back to his companion with surprise, and noted that he now carried whatever remained of the pelt in his mouth. 

He shot a look to Rannoch, then back to the unfamiliar boy—Tryp. "I'm Rian," he replied, trailing off and allowing the other two to chime in if they desired. Suddenly, a commotion behind him drew his attention to Cypress again and he watched as the raven-cloaked wolf began to make a game of tossing and ravaging the pelt betwixt his jaws. An invitation was extended, first, to Rian, and then the other two in turn. 

Rian's ear flicked nervously, and he sucked in a breath, wondering just what Cypress' play was here or if it simply was just... well, play. He decided not to dwell on it and stole a few staggered steps towards his cousin, eyes locked on the pelt that now taunted him.

Post order: Rannoch, Tryp, Cypress, Rian?

 
The reply to Rannoch's question seemed laboured as if it were taking the boy before them a good deal of effort to recall his name. But as quickly as Rannoch had asked his question, the silver-saddled stranger replied and Rannoch rose his brows for a moment before he answered. "I'm Rannoch," he offered to return Rian's glance with one of his own, unsure what to make of this stranger. It was as Rannoch looked to his jade-eyed cousin that his sibling suddenly burst onto the scene. Offering Cypress a questioning glance, as if asking just what he had, and waving his tail, he turned from his two relatives and back to Tryp. 

Rannoch examined the other boy further in more detail one his eyes settled, finally catching the sight of the Rochester's tail. He lingered for a moment but did not speak the questions that came to his mind. Instead, he found himself distracted by the call of his sibling. Though he was tempted to leap to his sibling's side, Rannoch knew that there was one thing that he had to do first. 

He turned back to Tryp with an amused expression. "Want to join?" Rannoch asked, lifting a brow.

[table width=80%][tr][td]They bought it and Tryp could finally breathe. Whether they held suspicion did not matter now; as long as he kept acting like Tryp was indeed his name, he had nothing to fear. Of course, it would make it harder to find Pyro like this. If word got around that some "Tryp" was looking for his brother, Pyro would not even raise a brow. But, this was for the better. It was this or the possibility that the Brotherhood or the Fen would find out he was gone; alone and inexperienced. Apparently what was first a duo turned into a trio; in the background he spotted a great dark male tossing some kind of hide and inviting his two friends. Or, was it also for him?

Nice to... meet you? He said awkwardly, a nervous smile wrinkling his usually handsome face. Then, it seemed everyone was focusing on the still name-less, tossing man. The thought of playing brought a slight wiggle to the young prince's stump of a tail. Rannoch was the first to talk again, asking a question that could mean more than what Tryp first thought. Eeh - join this, orrr...?[/tr][/td][/table]

@Cypress skipped with permission. Rian and Cy are goofing off, or trying to, in the background if Tryp and Rannoch continue their conversation. :)

Rian was nearly upon Cypress, and the prize he held, when the question that tumbled carelessly from Rannoch's lips caused him to seize and eventually come to a complete, and sudden, halt. His shaggy head swung around, eyes wide, as he stared across the short distance to his younger cousin. Tryp spoke before he could, voicing the question that threatened to burst uncontrollably from Rian's own lips in a far more incredulous manner. A moment passed where he felt unusually... betrayed? But it passed quickly as he realized: Rannoch was only inviting the other boy to play, right? Right?

With a huff he returned to the game and made a grab for it while Cy danced easily out of reach of the thickset O'Malley boy.

There were times in which Rannoch was not the best at voicing what he truly meant and this moment was a prime example. Tryp's reaction was one that caused Rannoch to pause suddenly, his brows lifting as he looked to the individual with the docked tail. "... Join the game?" He elaborated his tone kind despite his confusion. 

A moment of so passed where Rannoch fell silent, his brain working itself into overdrive as he attempted to figure out just his invitation could have been comprehended as. A flash of brilliance passed his water-like eyes, and the other meaning came to mind. Quickly, he shot an apologetic look at the stranger, his ears lowering slightly in his embarrassment. He hadn't meant to lead on the stranger, but suck a misstep brought some curiosity into perspective: that he did not know much about the wolf before him. 

With that, he turned towards the group, beckoning for the other to follow. "So, tell me about yourself," he began, a list of following questions formulating in his mind. Though he had never considered adding another to their band, he didn't see why they couldn't. But, of course, before anything was set in stone, he would have to consult his brothers first.

[table width=80%][tr][td]Unfortunately, he had not been invited to join wherever this group was going. Perhaps he had put his hopes up too much ever since leaving home. He was a young, inexperienced hunter with a massive build; not everyone was looking for a guy like him. Besides, it seemed that role had been claimed already, looking at Rannoch. Still, his gentle smile didn't waver and he cleared his throat gentlemanly. There was no use crying over something nearly impossible and he just had to accept it all for now. Of course. He nodded, more confident now.

Maybe he had been to clear with his question or... anything after and Rannoch had picked up on his slight mistake - or so it seemed. Tryp's dotted eyebrows raised slightly in confusion yet ultimately in forgiveness and he followed the silver-and-ash hunk to the others. A question fell upon the sound of silence again and Tryp looked at the other surprised.

Well... I'm Tryp -But you already knew that- and I am looking for my... brother. He left home and our parents don't seem fit enough to go fetch him -'course they don't know I took it upon myself to find my brother but whatever-. he explained, mumbling some things in-between his main story. His glowfly eyes became softer and he laughed a gentle laugh. His name is Pyro - much smaller and nimbler -I was the firstborn- and he has a warm brown coat with the same dotted eyebrows and eyes as me. Shame you won't get to meet him... Tryp sighed soon after.[/tr][/td][/table]

Short, clunky post.

It didn’t really bother Cypress that Tryp was a bit awkward, or that Rannoch was evidently becoming a public relations maven. The eidolon kept an eye on the pair out of habit, not altogether trusting of the stranger’s close proximity to the turquoise-eyed Frostfur — but his attention was mainly focused on Rian. His undulating growls were aurally menacing, but his eyes were crinkled with amusement as he dropped into a playful bow and scooted back a few paces to taunt his older cousin further. Shaking his head wildly, he lost his grip on the strip of hide; seconds too late, he could do nothing but watch with an embarrassed expression as it flew in a trajectory that would take it directly past Rian and toward the approaching twain. At this point, it was anybody’s guess who would claim it — the only sure thing was that it wouldn’t be Cypress.

The surprise the Tryp expressed was followed by an introduction to just who the docked wolf was and what he was doing so far away from home. Rannoch frowned at the mention of the other's lost brother, feeling a sudden kinship with this stranger as he listened carefully to the description. He'd make sure to remember what Pyro looked like. Though Rannoch had been the lost brother in the picture, he knew all too well the feelings of wanting to find his brother. His expression turned encouraging, his plush-like ears pushing forward, as the other expressed not being able to meet Pyro. "Hey," he began, his tail wagging gently. "You don't know that. You might find him!" After all, Rannoch had strived solely on false hope for all too long. 

He observed the other for a beat, as another question came to mind. "What are you going to do until you find him?" His head tilted as he spoke, feeling more sympathetic as the moments passed.

[table width=80%][tr][td]His own ears perked up at the encouraging demeanour of Rannoch that reminded him so much of his mother. Of course... mother had been everything to him, and so it was natural that everything reminded him of her. Still, the tone of voice and fuzzy feeling it gave him were not unlike what Malice had always done when he talked about his dreams and aspirations and he was thankful for it. Yeah - I guess I might... He said softly in his low, elf's voice. Thank you... He added sincerely.

Tryp sighed. I don't know... He answered honestly. I... I met a girl not long ago so I might go seek her so she can help me out. He wondered then. I'll have to join a pack someday, so I might work on my hunter skills some more... W-What are you guys going to do? Got any plans for the future? He asked[/tr][/td][/table]

There was a sincerity in the handsome boy's reply, and Rannoch smiled, his tail giving a wag as he bobbed his head in response, as if saying: of course, you're welcome. By nature, Rannoch had always had a sunnier disposition than his brother, and somehow, despite the hardships that had been encountered, Rannoch still carried his positive outlook on life, despite the occasional storminess of his self pity that often temporarily darkened his views. 

Tryp went on to explain his intentions, and Rannoch perked at his mention of being a hunter. Rian, Cypress, Rose, or himself were not the most gifted in this craft, and he knew that it would be more than helpful to have somebody like this on their side. Though Rannoch could speak to his hunting abilities, he was aware that he was lacking. The question came back to him, and Rannoch contemplated his answer for a moment, pausing with pursed lips, as he debated. "Well, I think we will want to make our pack," he answered honestly, stealing a glance at his siblings before turning his attention back to Tryp. "We've all had some hardships in our lives, and we want to make a place for our own, you know?" He smiled, his gaze trailing to his paws. A moment later, his attention was back on the golden boy, curiousness spreading as a question came to mind. 

"What do you usually hunt?" he asked, bringing his tongue over his chops at the thought of a freshly-killed meal.

[table width=80%][tr][td]Tryp was usually a hopeful creature; perhaps too fixated on childish dreams to see the truth. It was a trait inherited from his mother, he assumed, because father rarely even laughed out loud. It had bugged him; how he could not see the world as it was like so many unhappy souls did. More than anything did he want to fit in, and in a world assumingly so cruel he felt an outcast whenever he thought of things positively. Rannoch seemed to be above that crap, and knowing this he earned some respect from the Rochester-Lanius child.

Not the slightest bit distracted by whatever went on in the background with the other two males, he listened to the bulky male with a eerily similar build as his. Eyes shifting up, he thought of the impossible. If he were to join them, they could very well be unstoppable when it came to future conflicts. The fight was in his blood - he had his father's strength and his mother's admirations for life and death and all in-between. I understand... He nodded with a smile. At least they had their lives more figured out than him.

Well, mostly small game - got no group to hunt with, you get? Back at home, we had a lot of water, so I learned to fish too... He explained in a soft voice. Big prey shouldn't be a problem either when it comes to brute strength. He chuckled soon after. Unfortunately, the chase was also necessary unless the prey had been wounded before he got there.[/tr][/td][/table]

Oh, Rannoch got what Tryp was implying. Even with his limited knowledge of hunting, the turquoise-eyed youth knew that hunting in numbers usually correlated with the size of the game. He nodded to this as his mind went on to envision Tryp as a member of their group; a wolf that could help provide something necessary for their survival. 

"How did you learn?" He asked, his head canting to the side gently as observed the stranger, adding on an eager, "And are you willing to teach others how to hunt?" If both answers were positive, Rannoch would consult the group, as if seemed that Tryp was interested in joining their pack.

[table width=80%][tr][td]His ears lowered bashfully at all the questions thrown at him all of the sudden. He wasn't really overwhelmed or anything, he just felt a little awkward telling about his life and experiences. It did not help that these were the first guys his age he had ever conversed with; the desire to wander had been beaten out of him (quite literally) until Pyro had decided to scatter and run wild with his fawn-like body. I looked at others and tried to copy, to be honest... He admitted. Fishing was all me though; I was hungry one day and too tired from... a journey to go very far. Came across some fishes and tried a whole afternoon to catch one - after that I got better. He explained softly, averting his gaze to the ground.

He nodded at the other's second question. Mother was always out to teach anyone - I aspire to be much like her... His gaze got seemingly warmer as he looked up again and to Rannoch.[/tr][/td][/table]

Rannoch didn't know what to expect Tryp's answers to be like, but the burly man found himself pleased with what had been offered. But, still, he had some more questions for ask. But, before he did, his tail wagged, and he offered a smile before saying, "I like that." Though it held no significance to their exchange, Rannoch still felt the need to voice this. 

"Now, let's say that you needed a place to stay," he began, his expression still buoyant. "What would happen if you found your sibling? Would you stay?" Others abandoning them once being accepted was one of Rannoch's fears, even though he had done it before. "I would like to say that if he did come along, he would be welcome to join if he were willing to provide for the others." At this point, it seemed as though Rannoch's intentions were crystal clear.

[table width=80%][tr][td]Ears perked up, his Rochest-Dots pulled up in a surprised face. Tryp was such a noob - a talented noob, that was - at hunting and socializing that he had not expected yet another compliment. Was this how Kaori had felt when he had showered her in attention and flirty remarks? It was a strange, greedy feeling that was unquenchable and only seemed to grow. Selfishly now, he thought of truly impressing Rannoch in the future - if they ever met again... Thanks... He said again - not noticing that he was acting so much like his girlfriend female friend.

Sooner rather than later it came; a silent invitation to join them. Had he somehow won over the bulky male with his boyish charms alone, or was it something else he wanted? A smile crept onto his handsome face and he averted his gaze to speak. It depends, I guess - on how much we want to go home whenever I do find him... Secretly, he rather liked the wild side of life right now. It was so weird; as much as he wanted to retreat, his spirit wanted to see so much more of the world that he had no other intention but to keep going. Then again... if we are welcome with you guys, I guess that would be home too. He added sweetly, looking up to see his reaction. Tryp was a loyal creature by heart, but what if Pyro was wounded or dead whenever they found him? He had to report it back to Father and Mother... Or did he?[/td][/tr][/table]

Pagining @Rian or @Cypress or both!

Tryp's responses were fair, and Rannoch nodded. With this information collected, the wide-shouldered male turned briefly to the others, who were still wrestling, and he smiled. "Hey, if you don't mind waiting for just a second," He began, his attention bouncing back to the stranger, "I'll be right back." Given the fact that Rannoch did not know how the others would react to adding another to their group. 

With a final look, he turned from the one he had been interviewing towards his playing siblings. Pausing as a close enough distance to them, Rannoch watched upon them and chuffed in an attempting to grab their attention.

Slight pp for Cypress. <3

Rian, similar to Cypress, had far too much nervous energy to deal with the conversation and assuage his cousin's own attempts at play. So he dove headlong into the game. When the pelt sailed out of the eiodlon's grasp, the thickset O'Malley charged after it like a bull. He snatched it up from the ground and whipped his head around and around, smacking his own cheeks with it in the process, but entirely uncaring about the slight sting each slap inflicted. Soon his cousin was upon him and Rian, in a half-hearted attempt to play keepaway, skittered out of reach. But his head was tugged rather forcibly around as Cypress got hold of the other end. Rian pivoted, braced, and tugged against the swarthy yearling's grip, punctuating each jerk with a playful growl. 

A chuff from a different direction drew all of his attention and his eyes went wide as he immediately dropped the hide and looked up at Rannoch with a look of surprise. "Oh, uh." He stammered, realizing they'd pretty much abandoned the other boy and the conversation in Rannoch's hands. Slowly his ears splayed and he took a few creeping steps forward, "What's up?"

The raven’s awkward attempt to engage his brother and the new wolf in play had fallen rather flat, so Cypress and Rian carried on the game alone, romping and gamboling while the conversation drummed on. Even then, the boys were distracted by the colloquy that was happening around and without them — and when Rannoch gave a low chuff, Cypress dropped the act and turned, touching his muzzle companionably against Rian’s shoulder with a questioning glance. His attention turned to Rannoch then, sulphureous eyes piercing and unreadable. He sensed that something was about to happen, and he had a sneaking suspicion that he wasn’t going to like whatever it was. Normally he would have just let Rian do the talking, staring silently as he awaited the inevitable punchline, but this was Rannoch. Cypress’ throat worked reflexively as he drummed up a verbal prompt, trying to make it easier on his turquoise-eyed littermate.

“What is it, Noch?”

When it came to Rannoch, Rian, and Alya, he’d always try.

When he was greeted by both siblings, Rannoch smiled as his gazed danced between them. "I think we should let Tryp tag along with us," he began quickly, cutting straight to the point. "He knows how to hunt and is willing to teach us." This was the most crucial information to Rannoch, as he wasn't the most skilled of hunters. 

Rannoch knew that this wasn't particulary what they had intended. But, given the fact that Tryp could help benefit them, this seemed to be an oppratunity that Rannoch couldn't pass up.