Dragoncrest Cliffs I was lightning before the thunder

The pups were somewhere in the ballpark of six weeks old and were developed enough to accompany her on walks around the territory. The weather was particularly cooperative today, so Wildfire roused @Artaax, @Blixen and Robin, fed them a mixture of milk and meat and then coaxed them into following her away from the cozy hollow tree and toward the neighboring redwood forest. One day, she would take them to the seaside, but it seemed a little too dangerous right now. Besides, she would want @Thuringwethil there for that and the commander was currently busy with pack duties (although the Bandrona secretly hoped they might bump into and distract her).

"Stay close, Robin," Wildfire called when the youngest pup began rubbernecking and veering in a perpendicular direction. The young mother paused to let him reorient himself, smiling as the other two weaved around her legs. "Whoever's on their best behavior gets a secret prize when we get back home!" Perhaps it wasn't the best parenting technique but it tended to motivate her children into obedience... sometimes. She grinned to herself, then continued sashaying forward toward the towering sequoias.

Hoping the pups will actively participate but I'll PP them as needed. Anyone else is welcome! :)

she encountered the odd group a short time after her failed hunt that morning; a squirrel she had eventually chased up a tree. the most prominent figure was one that rather resembled her, though she did not think of this immediately, instead drawn to the tiny potatoes that wove between the woman's legs. her brow furrowed, watching from a distance as they drew near, identifying soon the little things as pups. she did not know wolves could be so small, and while she knew she too had been small, one day, she had not quite imagined that she had been this small. 

she wavered, shifting her weight and considering going near, but an innate shyness and the fact that she had never met this family held her away, watching, half-hoping the little family would approach, half hoping that they did not. she stayed rooted, head tilted in curiosity, gaze settled on the babes that followed their mother obediently (for the most part).

Although he was perplexed by the change in scenery, Artaax never once felt frightened – he scarcely did in the presence of either or both of his mothers. His young, impressionable mind couldn’t understand why the family had ventured into strange lands. He knew for certain they’d never traveled this far from their den before.
 
While his senses were overtaken by the unfamiliarity, he bumped into both Wildfire’s legs and his siblings’ toddling bodies. It was hard for him to pay attention to where he was going while he gazed dreamily about his surroundings.
 
As his mother spoke, the boy’s gaze caught a flicker of movement in the shadows that lie ahead. He missed his mother’s words completely as he shimmied forward to position himself between her forelimbs to get a better look. Whoever or whatever the creature was, they looked somewhat like Wildfire and Blixen.
 
Artaax didn’t quite grasp the concept of stranger danger yet and he knew that if someone resembled family, they must be worth acknowledging. “HEY!” hollered the youngster, his boyish vocals piercing the otherwise tranquil quietness of the forest.

There may have been a resemblance, yet the instant her elder son alerted her to Anatha's presence, Wildfire's expression clouded. "Get behind me," she ordered her offspring, stepping forward, eyes fixed on the young Goufa. She looked a little afraid but the Bandrona felt no sympathy for her. She braced her slender red legs, chestnut gaze boring into the young girl.

She had mixed feelings about this situation. On one hand, this was a pack mate and she wanted her children to assimilate. On the other, she felt extremely protective, especially around those wolves she didn't know well. And she didn't know the first thing about Anatha, save for her name and the fact that she was a pup hypothetically competing with her own for Drageda's resources.

After a few beats of tense silence, Wildfire said, "It's Anatha, right? Can I help you?" Her voice was a little brusque, the words friendly but the tone a little chillier.

Thuringwethil does not think twice about the puppy at her borders and, thus, does not prepare should she run into Anatha later with questions. She lied to the girl. It had been easier. Anatha and her family are not of Seageda and her brood that have followed along but she is apart of them now and it is best if she treats her no differently. Arlo had taken the girl away and she returned to her usual duties, which in the heart of the territory included keeping her senses aware of her mate and children. They are more mobile now, forming words and becoming more and more coherent. Soon, they'll be big enough to mold into the wolves she wants for Drageda. Their lives easily mapped or before them at a young age.

She picks up Wildfire's scent first, mixed with the puppies, and she easily deviates in that direction. Anatha's scent mingles in to but does not come at a surprise. The small family had been acclimated into Hougeda though she doesn't know whether or not they've stuck around as she spends her nights near the whelping den. Thuringwethil doesn't speak upon her approach but she does successfully distract Robin who turns tail and bounds his way toward her despite instruction. Her tail wags and she lowers her nose to greet him before she shuffles him up behind their other mother. Her attention turns back to her mate, and the older child, listening to the exchange between them with a guard much more lax than the bandrona.

 

the loud call of one of the children had her start, first thinking that it was the older woman, the mother, the one she thought was called Fire...SomethingFire. her mind worked, attempting to come up with the answer while at the same time starting to her paws, heart pounding and wondering if she was not welcome here. the fact that one of the pups had been the one to yell occurred to her at the same time than the woman's name did- Wildfire. 

the woman in question spoke a moment later, ushering a pup behind her, and the words struck Anatha as chilled. certainly, after so much time alone and not making much of an effort to get to know her packmates, she tended to read into words and actions, more than she ought to. the girl considers turning and leaving, and her paws almost itch to leave the woman and her family, but the appearance of Thuringwethil, the leader she knows best, has her still her paws and her wavering confidence hold her here. "No" she adds after a few moments of silence, adding after, "I can go." she isn't sure the woman wants her here, in the same way she isn't sure if she was right in bringing home the starving girl.

Blixen, despite her usually rambunctious nature, was particularly obediant as Wildfire led them away from the den. She toddled along, trying to keep pace with the much longer legs of her mother, but managing only to play catch up most of the time. Her little mind was drawn here and there, chasing interesting sights, smells, and sounds. They were all vaguely familiar to the little Goufa, but they had never felt so visceral before.

Her head whipped around when Artaax bellowed, and her eyes quickly settled on the unfamiliar wolf standing a few yards off. Immediately her little wooly hackles bristled, but there was not yet enough fur there to give any impression of uncertainty. Something about the other wolf struck her as inherently familiar, and she didn't understand why her mother was suddenly on edge but she didn't dare disobey the order.

Blixen backed up a few steps, only for her attention to be diverted once more as Robin bounced away to greet the dark shape that approached them. Her heart soared—nomi! While she herds Robin back, Blixen returns her attention to Anatha and whimpers softly. She wants to say hello to the new wolf, but her mother had forbidden it so far and nomi had not relieved her of that command.

The sternness that tinged his mother’s words both surprised and troubled the cream-furred youngster. Ears pressing back against his skull, he shuffled backwards a pace or two before flopping onto the earth. Childlike stubbornness reared its ugly head as he whined in protest to Wildfire’s command – he wanted to go investigate the other wolf who reminded him so much of his mom and sister!
 
Artaax fell silent as his mother addressed the stranger, his gaze slipping towards Robin and Blixen to see how they perceived the situation. His brother appeared curious but by no means as excited by the wolf as Artaax was. Blixen’s stance seemed to mirror Wildfire’s.
 
When he spotted a lofty, shadowy form drawing near, he tripped over himself two or three times attempting to close the distance between them. “Nooooome,” he cooed quietly, bright eyes shining up towards Thuringwethil as he placed himself square between her forelegs. Perhaps she would be more willing to socialize.

The tension eased from Wildfire's muscles when her mate appeared. The Bandrona smiled (admittedly, a little tightly) at the commander, her attention flicking to Anatha as the girl offered to go. Although she would honestly prefer it, both her wife and children seemed open to socializing with the youthful stranger. Reluctantly, the mother admitted she should allow it. With a few nervous licks to her chops, she moved out of the pups' way to afford them a better view of Anatha.

"You don't have to go," Wildfire said, clearing her throat and calling on her diplomatic instincts. "Artaax, Blixen, Robin, this is Anatha. Can you say hello?" As she spoke, she glanced at Thuringwethil to gauge her reaction to the situation.

Thuringwethil returns with a smile of encouragement, but when her mate turns away and releases the puppies to socialize, it droops from her features. She glances across the way to see if Anatha would still stick around and greet Drageda’s youngest or if she’d stick to her statement and leave. If the girl looks her way, she flashes a similar smile as before but in the meantime she settles back in place, lowering her body to form a sphinx to watch the interaction.