Northstar Vale aaron burr, sir

set after this. discovery thread!

True to form, Rian was unwilling to throw all of his eggs in one basket just because it looked like a good fit for their young pack. So when the first colors of dawn began to illuminate the sky with soft blues, Rian slipped away. He followed a well-traveled game trail down as it snaked through the foothills into the vale below. There was some trepidation in his step—what if there was hidden danger here and he was walking into a trap or, worse, death? To him, there was no other explaination as to why any pack wouldn't live here. It was an easily defensible location with a healthy ecosystem fully capable of supporting multiple wolves.

But he wanted to believe their journey was over. He worried more now than ever before. The bear had been one thing and they were lucky to get out of that relatively unscathed, but what if their luck eventually ran out? One the valley packs could easily take offense to their wanderings and launch an assault on them. It was not beyond the realm of possibility, and with so many younger members they were at an acute disadvantage.

The skies were growing brighter now, and he chose this moment to stop near a tiny little stream that trickled down from the woodland into a sprawling field. The long spring grasses were bowed over with heavy morning dew, and a light fog hung over the gently sloping ground. The colors were muted was almost welcoming to the reclusive scout. He flicked his ears forward as he stooped to drink (forgetting his initial concern over the water supply) while his eyes remained transfixed on the scene—it called to him in a way he'd never quite felt in Neverwinter and, for a moment, he could almost understand why Rannoch jumped the gun upon seeing it from above. 

Thirst quenched, he took a moment just to appreciate the simple beauty of the quiet spring morning.

The initial concern Redshank held for the territory was quickly replaced with excitement, as well as an anticipation for rest, finally. A place to settle and establish as theirs. Against his better judgement, the boy found himself taking a liking to being part of a pack. He enjoyed having a tribe behind him as support, even if they were all but youths as well and many were almost just as insufferable as he.

When Rian parted from the group, Redshank took notice and followed, both out of curiosity as to where he was doing and eagerness to explore the vale further. It looked perfect, however looks could be deceiving.

He trailed the older boy at a distance before he paused at a river to take a drink, and that was where Redshank padded up behind him with his tail waving lazily side to side. His paws still ached and stung, however the dew-covered grass was a much more welcome sensation compared to the rough mountain paths. He drew up beside him, peeking at his dull reflection in the rippling waters. "It's not poisoned, is it?" he joked, though there was some genuine concern hinted.

*enter giant asshole*

The group had been exhausted, but Airi had not had the fatigue they all bore. Instead, the vessel wandered about. Airi knew how close this place was to her birthplace, where her mother and other sister still was. She knew better than to wander east towards that old relic of her childhood, instead choosing to linger with this unknown group of ragtag children and barely adults. But she knew no one. She only knew two names: Rannoch and Kaori, but had no friends, no allies, not even enemies. 

She was lingering by the stream, thinking. One of her paws was trailing in the water, her brow furrowed as she decided what to do. Stay and make friends, or pack up and leave to find another opportunity. She had no ties to her sister; it was not her that she stayed for. 

Her head raised at the sound of two bodies crashing through the grass. Airi snorted, alerting them of her presence, then her ears twitching towards the joking voice. It's a stream; it can't be so easily poisoned, She sighed in exasperation, her voice laced with disdain as usual.

*squeezes* I love them both. This should be a fun one!

Either Redshank was excellent at steath, or Rian was too engrossed in his thoughts to pay much mind to his surroundings. It was likely a combination of both, but he was certainly caught a bit off-guard when the younger ruddy boy appeared beside him and peered down at his reflection in the tiny brook. He didn't skitter sideways, but his heart did jump with excitement and fright at the apparition of one of their youngest (and most troublesome) members. Still, as his heartrate slowed again, Rian found himself the slightest bit grateful for the company. It would give him a chance to talk to him—maybe test his skill set and see just what role he might play in the pack dynamic. That was Rian to a tee—always thinking, always worrying...

But before he could answer, another voice cut through the morning. This one, however, was not as friendly or familiar as the first. Rian hadn't seen her lying there when he'd approached the stream, and felt a bit foolish for it. She was a dark, lithsome creature, with a midnight stare that pierced right through him. She unnerved him, somehow, and he couldn't quite place why the hairs on the very back of his skull bristled at the sight of her. He recalled her from their march up the mountain but couldn't remember ever getting her name. 

With an apologetic glance to Redshank, he pressed his ears forward and turned his jade-cast eyes on the girl. Rian didn't like the tone, but he saw it as a test of his patience more than anything else. He waved his tail as he suspended it level with his spine and looked past her to the valley. "True," He said. "unless the source is underground." He said calmly, recalling the geyser field near Neverwinter which was dotted with enticing yet poisonous pools. "But we're in luck: this appears snow fed." He motioned to the foothills where, surely, the rest of the pack still slumbered.

"It's early." Obviously. "Care to do some exploring with me before Rannoch finds out we've gone?" He asked both of them though he stole a knowing glance at Redshank.

I'm sorry Redshank's equally as dickish lmao, have fun, Rian!

Before Rian could respond, another made herself known, and Redshank looked up with a hint of annoyance, both because her sudden voice had somewhat startled him and because of her bratty statement. He inwardly rolled his eyes before meeting Rian's apologetic look, giving him a wrinkle of his muzzle in disdain for the girl. He followed the older boy's gaze, however, and took in the dark shadow with violet eyes. He didn't break his critical stare as he spoke, silently glad Rian tried to put her in her place. For some reason, he wasn't fond of this girl in particular (not that immediately hating someone was a rare occurrence for the boy).

He perked up as Rannoch's brother suggested getting some exploring in, offering him an excited grin. "Sure thing!" he replied, though quickly shot the girl a disapproving look as if to say you're not invited, bitch.

She answered their surprised looks with a smug smirk, the corners of her mouth upturning slightly from the previous snobbish frown she gave to the younger. Airi did not rise to her feet, instead continuing to enjoy the feeling of water at her paws. Zennyo rumbled in contentment at the feeling of running water against their shared body, Airi let the words of the older wolf run over her in a similar fashion. She did not care that the two did not take well to her comment; it was true and it needed to be said, to disprove the idiotic ramblings of children. 

But Airi pulled herself upwards, rising to the challenge of scouting. I'll come with you, She declared, her tail rising alongside her body, crossing the water smoothly. She could have splashed the boy who looked at her with a clear 'Bitch' look, but she wasn't feeling thaaat low today. At least, not yet.

Finally back from vacation. We can bump this up to present, or just roll with it as backdated! I'll be quicker from now on. <3

Though the darker child unsettled him, he was still glad that they agreed to tag along with him—really, it just meant he wouldn't have to track them down later. He didn't want any of their younger members to go missing from his own neglegence, even if he wasn't exactly good at mentoring, sitting, or anything to do with that. Rannoch was the one who seemed to adapt to the role best. The Beta male could barely get a handle on himself, let alone two stubborn kids.

Still, he hoped he might make a good impression on them both and earn their trust in the process.

But when Airi rose with her tail lifted in an arc above her rump, Rian bit back a growl that bubbled unexpectedly from his chest. He offered her a Look that bore a significant amount of weight, and warning, but didn't immediately move to discipline her. She was welcome to vye for rank against Redshank—but he wouldn't allow the younger girl to so much as sniff at his own formidable position within the pack.

Rian bent his head and passed a furtive smile towards Redshank should the younger boy look his way, only to address them both with a nervous twitch of his ear. "Alright then," and without so much as an explaination or command, he continued on down the bank, expecting the two younger wolves to follow suit.

Yay! Hope you enjoyed it! And I'm find with this just being backdated :D

I'll come with you. While Rian withheld his disapproval — of her flashy show of dominance, at least — Redshank let out a growl of disdain. He watched her cross the river with his hackles raised, also toying with the idea of flinging some water her way. Though he wary wary of what the older boy would have to say about that (as well as what he would report back to Rannoch). Besides, they had a mission to do now. So long as the girl didn't prove to be too much of an annoyance, he would hold out on antagonising her further.

He gave her another look, though, golden eyes trying to directly meet her cold, dark ones. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Rian bend to offer a smile and shot him a look too, though this one was considerably warmer. He pranced his way to the man's side, trying to ignore the shadow that was tagging along. "Where're we goin'?" he asked with a tilt his head.

Sorry for the wait! Just graduated!

She paid no attention to the looks both males gave her, instead focusing on the task ahead. She had no interest in the positions that they held. Not as of yet. For now she was content to follow and observe and explore. But she held her ground. She was better than them in every which way; she knew this, but she also knew her position. She followed the elder wolf, ignoring the naïve, inane things the other said, unless something truly ridiculous came from his mouth.