Redhawk Caldera Old man needs food as well.

Feel free to pick on him for eating the food or try and steal it.

Burke was hungry. He visited two caches already but they all been empty. His stomach growled. Burke was an elderly wolf and he knew he didn't have the highest rank here. So he became a bit worried as two caches were empty. It would mean that there wasn't a lot of food around and if he would have to fight over a piece of meat he would most likely try but not succeed.

The older male waddled to the next one he could remember. It was good for his muscles to get this type exercise but the downside was that his energy levels were depleting further. His legs were trembling a bit with each step. Luckily for him, his nose smelled something. He started to take the eaten fox carcass out. It wasn't that fresh but at least it was something the old man could eat.

Lagan waddled through the territory, completely oblivious of their blight. He was too high on happiness since his second meeting with Tapat to notice. His mind always shot back to talking to the other boy, about the flower that Tapat had given to him at their picnic. Tapat was so thoughtful! Lagan wondered if Tapat remembered how happy he'd made Lagan, he really hoped he did.

The silver and white yearling came across a familiar scent on his walk. Burke! Grandpa! Wanting to catch up with the guy, maybe gain some more old person wisdom, he followed the scent all the way one of the caches. There he found Burke tearing away at a fox carcass. His tail wagging, he barked, Hey grandpa! Wanna share? He trotted over to the other male and sat down beside him, reached forwards to start eating the fox as well. It might have been a bit of a dumb move, but Lagan was kind of absentminded sometimes.

Been waiting on this! *jumps in if that's okay*

It seemed no secret that the pack was nearly out of food, and that just before winter. Malice, if given a choice, would rather travel elsewhere to hunt, but she couldn't leave Burke to fend for himself. His prime years were over, and a fight with one of the younger wolves of the Caldera would not become a victory for him. While death was close and final, she would not allow her mate to starve.

Sweeping her dark form between the trees, Malice was like a thread with a purpose; creating a weird pattern with the scent trail she left behind. It wasn't long before she found him, the creaking grandpa of the caldera, though what was happening? Would the boy truly steal his meal, even though he was fitter and healthier? How ungraceful. She stepped forward, though did nothing as of yet.

Towhee bode her time, carefully assessing the food shortage and trying to suss out her godparents' thoughts on these matters as the situation grew more dire day by day. There was an obvious solution, though neither Elwood nor Finley took any particular action. They were gentle and softhearted, she knew, and so the youthful mercenary decided to take matters into her own hands. She would do their dirty work.

She targeted one of the wolves she knew the least, whose scent betrayed his advanced age. When Towhee finally tracked him down, she discovered that he was not alone. He and Lagan were sharing a fox pulled from a cache, while a dark she-wolf lingered nearby. Like the latter, the Xi simply paused and observed for a moment, orange eyes growing narrow and narrower as she peered between the two unfamiliar wolves (ignoring her brother entirely, for the moment).

At length, she stepped forward. "You," Towhee said loudly, voice clunky, "and you." She pinpointed the elderly male, then the unfamiliar female, as she spoke, so it was abundantly clear who she was addressing. "You need to leave." Towhee let those words linger for a moment, before elaborating, "Not just this area, but the pack. There's not enough food to go around and the Redhawks and Blackthorns are the priority. Lagan and I will escort you peacefully to the borders."

Burke watched the young boy approach him. He instantly snarled at the boy as he even mentioned sharing. Burke would share with Malice but not with the annoying pup. He was hungry and sank his teeth into the rotting meat. He got one bite when Malice joined. He was a bit relieved. He was still lying down and trying to claim the carcass.

Then the older male watched the feisty other young one approach. He glared at her. He bared his teeth once more. His lip fell in disbelieve when the female made a decision for them. He growled and pushed himself to his feet. "No," he growled. "You are not an alpha. You don't make the decisions," he pointed out. He knew that Malice would help him out on this and maybe even Lagan. Burke glanced at Lagan for a moment. He didn't want to be a lone wolf. It would be his death.

Lagan's ears fell back as grandpa snarled at him. He ducked his head submissively, not wanting any trouble. He knew Burke was always a little moody, but for some reason this reaction to them sharing seemed surprising to Lagan. After a moment he allowed himself to relax, and he watched as Burke's mate moved closer. He looked the other direction, for some reason feeling guilty. Sorry, I guess. He said, and stood in preparation to leave. He saw no reason to stay, the two older wolves obviously preferred the company of each other.

But as he took his first steps away, he scented Towhee nearby. He stopped and waited for her to get here, wondering if she was here to grab a snack or here to talk to the mated pair. When she did arrive, she looked pretty cross. Her fiery amber eyes narrowed at Burke and Malice as if they'd done something terribly wrong. Sure they were a little rude, but Lagan assumed that was just their personalities. She spoke to them coldly, and asked them to leave, not just the cache but the territory.

She said there wasn't enough food in the territory, and suddenly the reason for the pack's over all grouchiness made sense. He had noticed a little less prey, but he'd looked over it as a minor issue. Apparently it was a lot worse than he thought. Either way, he thought it unfair to send a friend away, especially a friend who was already about to fall over dead any moment. Burke spoke up for himself, and Lagan added his support.

Yeah Towhee you can't do that. Mom and dad decide what happens. And anyway I know there's another way to fix this problem other than sending Burke to die out there, I mean I wouldn't be opposed to helping him hunt, I'll even go out of the territory if that's what you want. He said, the seriousness about him was a part of happy go lucky Lagan that the world didn't often see.

It was no surprise Burke did not want to share; this could be his final year, and so he was allowed to be a dick about his food. It was also no secret that the prey had lessened, that she had to go farther and farther to find a decent meal for her and Burke. She shot an apologetic look at the Redhawk boy, not expecting another to come and join their tension filled encounter. Only, this female acted not as respectful as the other that quietly accepted her mate's grumpiness.

Her nose twitched, her ears fluttered, not believing what she had heard. She was barely half a year old and was trying to send two experienced wolves away? One of whom the death would be on her paws if they were forced to go? Her hackles prickled, but she kept her temper under control, listening instead to Burke and Lagan. They seemed to think the same as her.

We have family here too, and since it was Elwood and Finley's decision to take us in, we will stay until they show clear disapproval regarding our presence here. She spoke, keeping a rather calm tone given her anger and disbelief. Honestly though, did Towhee truly think that any grown wolf would simply listen to her?

 

It would've been ideal if they'd taken her up on her offer of a peaceful departure, though Towhee had anticipated more of an adverse reaction, which was exactly what she got. She stood like a stone as the elderly male and his cohort refuted her right to issue such decrees. They were right, of course, but the Xi refused to back down without making her case. She was a little annoyed with Lagan siding against her, but he was even softer than his parents, so it wasn't entirely surprising.

"You would take food out of the pups' mouths?" she said slowly to all three of them, disapproval written into every line of her stiffened body. "Because that's exactly what's happening when these outsiders use our resources right now," Towhee continued, looking straight at Lagan now. "Any meat we can get needs to go straight to your mom and our siblings, not to old wolves who've already lived full lives, wolves who can't even contribute." She looked at Burke, orange eyes pitiless. "Or wolves who're perfectly capable of taking care of themselves elsewhere." Now her eyes bored into the black female whose name she didn't know.

She paused, considering fibbing by telling them she was acting on the Alpha pair's behalf. But that was one bluff that would be all to easy to disprove. Instead, Towhee's closing statement was, "My godparents are the good guys. I'm not afraid to be the bad guy for them, for my little brothers and sisters."

Burke lifted his muzzle. He was a bit relieved that the boy was taking his side. He had also Malice by his side. This youngster had a lot of nerve. Three against one, and still the female had a big mouth. Burke wasn't too impressed. He didn't feel like she could send them away. "If you think that way you see the world very gravely," he spoke to the feisty female. She should have more respect for the elderly.

"Just because I am old doesn't mean I am irrelevant. I've been helping Lagan offering my advice and mentoring him. I've been contributing in my own way, but you haven't even seen that because you never even bothered to get to know us," he pointed out. He grabbed the fox and tossed it towards her. He intended for the carcass to land on her face as he tossed it towards her. If it would even land there. "Come Malice. We might be able to find some fish. Lagan, you want some tips on fishing?," he asked. Sure he hadn't been that nice to Lagan before but he could see now that it could be used to his advantage.

Burke's mate Malice backed them up of course and suddenly it was three on one. Towhee must know she was in the wrong! Lagan hoped she did. He really didn't want this to escalate anywhere, because first off he wasn't a fighter, and second off he wouldn't know what to do. Take the side of the ones who needed it, or take the side of his own family. He felt very split in this, but he knew what should be done. He stood firmly beside Burke and Malice, even as Towhee tried to guilt trip him.

He didn't like the way that Towhee made it seem like he'd done something wrong. Lagan hunted for his family everyday. He was always bringing his parents things to eat, because his new siblings were extremely important to him. But the pups were healthy, they weren't skinny or sick, and neither was his mom or dad. Honestly, Lagan considered Burke the neediest in this blight. Towhee, I don't mean this to sound rude or anything but please don't try to make it seem like you're the only one helping.

As a pack, we are all a family. We all contribute, in different ways maybe, but we survive as a group and we thrive as a group. I don't usually like to act like ranks matter, but I think you forget I'm the gamma. I have highest authority here, and you don't have the right to decide who lives and dies. He said, his apple green gaze locked onto his little sister's. He loved her a ton, but he sometimes wondered where her morals lie. He let Burke speak and then nodded when the older male offered for him to come along.

The Blackthorn boy rose to his feet and turned to follow Burke whenever he left. He cast another glance back at Towhee, hoping she wasn't too angry. He figured she would be though. He'd talk to her again later when things were less steamy, but for now he was eager to leave this situation alone.

While she had thought of leaving before, never would she abandon Burke - nor Sebastian and his kid(s?). They were family, just as much as the Redhawks were. Besides, their pups were healthy, everyone was in good condition. No one was on the verge of death except Burke, but he's so stubborn that he might refuse death altogether. Her own son, tiny Pyro - he had needed food if he was still a wee babe. She stuck up her nose, even as Burke wanted to leave. At least they had one Redhawk on their side, not to mention he was the Gamma.

Then go - tell your parents your worries. For now, no one is starving - and we're not leaving. Was her final statement on it all. Pups were a whole lot tougher than they appeared. She followed the two males whenever their departure to a river was final, blood boiling and teeth clenched.

Although Burke's accusations made her fur prickle defensively, Towhee didn't refute any of them. Hers was a pragmatic worldview, there was no denying that. And it was entirely possible this old man brought value to the pack in one way or another. But she very much doubted he was helping with the hunting, which was the only thing that mattered now that game had grown scarce. Her lips pursed at his third and perhaps most accurate allegation. He was neither a Redhawk nor a Blackthorn, just another reason why he (and his mate) should be among the first to go.

Still, she made no reply other than to sign, -You're not wrong, old man.- He wouldn't understand but it didn't really matter. She didn't need him to agree or even understand; she just needed him to leave. Before she knew it, she found the fox being tossed disdainfully toward her face. Towhee sidestepped it, then blinked down at the carcass. When she looked up at him, she could no longer read Burke's lips—he was looking at his mate and Lagan now—but Towhee could see that they had no plans of abiding her commands.

She swallowed angrily, though she made no move to physically remove them. She had anticipated this outcome and knew it might take several attempts to oust them. In the meantime, she shot a sour look after them, her tail giving a single lash. They were selfish and stubborn—naive Lagan included—and she wondered what it'd take for them to see her point. Would the pups have to waste away and die before they admitted she was making a tough but necessary call?

Towhee meant to let the trio go, yet suddenly her lips moved as she shouted: "Lagan!" When he presumably looked her way, she signed, -I never said I was the only one helping. Lots of us are helping and it's still not enough.- She tried to put emphasis into her signing. -That's why they need to go. Why don't you get that? You care more about this old man than your innocent baby brothers and sisters?- There was genuine disbelief and hurt in her eyes.

Burke watch everything unfold. Lagan went to their side. It was a pleasant surprise and Burke decided that he perhaps the boy did deserve him being nicer to him. Burke didn't say anything when Lagan spoke. He watched, just to learn from their interactions. He always found it interesting in which way someone would react and what their triggers were. Malice also seconded his motion and with that Burke was ready to leave.

He walked away, though his steps were stiff. He was old and his stomach was still grumbling. But then the female called Lagan back. Burke was tempted to tell the boy off and ignore the weird girl. She couldn't even talk properly it seemed. Burke shook his head. "Lagan, you can join us later if you like." Burke didn't feel to stay around the youngster any longer. He was still hungry and if this would be a conflict he doubted he would win. He wasn't one to avoid a fight but this time around he needed to be smart if he was going to survive. He couldn't piss off the Redhawks even more. He realized that. He nudged Malice. "Let's see if the river will give us something."

The three wolves turned to leave, but a call from Towhee turned Lagan back around. He huffed, getting actually kind of annoyed, something that didn't happen to him often. He watched as she signed, his tail twitching behind him. He heard Burke say that he was going on, and the puffed up boy nodded, refusing to take his eyes off his sister. What's not enough? Who is actually dying right now Towhee? It's not Math! Or Lucca or Fiadh or Tegan! And what makes you think that sending away wolves who can hunt will make the prey come back? It will take time for the Caldera to re- umm... fill up! Sending them out now won't fix anything in the amount of time you think it will.

Towhee's next sign hurt Lagan's feelings even more, but now he let his anger subside. He could see that Towhee was hurting too, and for the first time in his life he felt responsible for someone else's pain. He hated it, absolutely hated it. He avoided confrontation for this exact reason, and even worse, the person he'd hurt was his sister. His baby, who he had played with and loved ever since she came to him. The same Towhee that he'd taught to say I love you.

Instead of replying to her comment, he felt a sniffle coming on. A tear streaked his cheek and he looked away. He tried to push past it, he had to say something. There he was again, always having to say something. Towhee. I could never love anyone as much as I love my family. Not- not even Tapat. And I personally would give anything for them. If it comes to it, I guess I'd just die and let them eat me! But that's not something I could ever ask anyone else to do. That would be asking somebody else to die for the benefit of my siblings. And by telling Burke to leave, that's what your asking of him.

I don't want... He stopped, his voice breaking a little. He swallowed and continued on, I don't want you and I to stop being friends. I want to be your best big bro Lagan forever. But I just can't agree with what you want.

-Slow down, please,- Towhee signed when a visibly annoyed Lagan began ranting at her. She did her best to follow along, fighting the urge to interject every now and again. She grew a little aggravated when he didn't give her any openings, though she steadied herself with a deep breath and clenched her teeth, mustering up patience she didn't really feel.

As soon as he finished, she signed incredulously, -Do we need to wait for someone—one of the puppies—to be dying before we do something? That's a terrible approach, Lagan, come on.- She was unmoved by his softening expression, though it did give her a slight measure of relief. Towhee wasn't used to this side of Lagan. -You're letting your feelings get in the way. You're telling me that old man can hunt?- She didn't wait for an answer to this rhetorical question. -Think about it logically, Lagan. There's not enough prey to sustain a pack of this size. Some wolves need to go so that we can feed everyone. It's that simple. I'm not saying it's easy. It's not. But it's simple.-

She could see the tear on his face, though she couldn't hear the quaver in his voice. Either way, she still did not relent. -Why can't Burke find another pack?- Towhee wanted to know. -Why can't his mate help support him? Why does it have to be a death sentence? Even if it was, he's lived a full life. The babies, they haven't even had a chance yet. I just want to them to have that—the best chance.-

She rolled her shoulders, breathing through a flip of her stomach at Lagan's last few words. -What're you saying, that you're going to stop caring about me over this? Lagan, I don't agree with your life choices either, but it doesn't mean I'm going to threaten to stop loving you. That,- Towhee said, signing slowly and jerkily, -is a dick move.-

I figured Malice was done posting but if not, I apologize for skipping. Feel free to slap me!

Towhee's response to Lagan's frustrated rant only made him more frustrated. Not at her necessarily but at the fact that he knew she was partially right. If things were truly as bad as she made it seem (which Lagan still had his doubts about), then things could get bad for the pups and fast. He didn't want to admit that, he liked to think that as a sitter and older brother, he could protect and care for the pups. But starvation wasn't a tangible attacker, he could only fend it off from them by making tough choices.

But this choice still just seemed wrong. Well if there isn't enough prey here, we can hunt elsewhere! I'm sure there's plenty of prey somewhere else. We can send out hunting parties and stuff, to collect and bring back game. I still just don't think this is the right move Tow. He said.

She moved on to talk about Burke, asking why he couldn't find another pack. Sure Malice could care for him, but not completely. He needed the safety of a pack, absolutely he needed it. I worry about Burke finding another pack because, what other pack would want to take in an old dying dude! We did it because he came with the fen wolves, and because we're kind. But not every other pack is like ours. He might go to a pack and howl for them and then get attacked! I just would worry about him. He explained then let her speak about the pups and how she wanted them to live full lives, like Burke had.

I want them to live full lives as well, but not at the expense of another! He explained, holding back his emotions as best he could. They began to slip again after his last statement, and when he saw Towhee's response. He shook his head, blocking out the will to just scream and run away. He didn't know how to deal with this at this point. Everything he said sounded wrong inside and outside of his head. He wanted to just run away. But his baby sister deserved some clarification.

No that's not what I meant at all. Towhee I'd never stop loving you never! I'm just letting you know that I can't back you in this. What I meant is that I don't want you thinking I don't love you. You're so important to me, it just seems that we've not been getting along too well lately, and I don't want that to change our relationship. That's what I meant. He said, looking down at the ground. He felt so ashamed for some reason. He didn't know why, but the shame boiled in his chest and burned the more he thought about it.

It seemed theirs was a fundamental disagreement: an impasse. Towhee did not agree that sending pack mates far away was any more feasible or logical than asking some of them to locate elsewhere. Nor did she think the caldera should aspire to be kind, especially not to outsiders. And she still didn't know why Lagan insisted this was an immediate death sentence for Burke, although honestly she couldn't bring herself to care even if he was right.

Rather than try to argue, the Xi let out an explosive, frustrated sigh. -Lagan, you're so dramatic,- she signed, though there was a soft edge to the accompanying look she gave him. -And I don't know what you mean by 'lately'—the last ten minutes?- She shook her head, chalking it up to his high emotions.

"Look, Lagan," she began out loud after a beat, looking at the top of his bowed head, "I'm not going to go after them or attack them... not at this point, anyway. But I'm not going to let this go, either. I'm not going to wait for one of the pups to die first." She suddenly wondered if Lagan would immediately report her actions to Elwood and Finley. Towhee really couldn't guess how they'd react. Would they be angry at her for taking matters into her own hands? Or grateful for doing their dirty work?

"I'm going to go patrol," she said, then made a few hesitant motions—as if wanting to say something else but not sure what—before turning away with a final, "Bye, Lagan."

This whole conversation bothered Lagan a lot. Towhee didn't understand how hard it was for Lagan. He was struggling to find the words he wanted to say. That never happened, words always just came to him. But today was different. She called him dramatic, and maybe he was, but he was just expressing himself, just like she was.

Finally it seemed they were finished. She said that she wasn't going after Burke or Malice, and Lagan was so relieved. He didn't plan on telling anybody about this, mostly because he didn't want to relive it. He'd never felt this way before, never. Anger was an emotion that others may live daily, but Lagan tried to avoid it as best he could. He didn't want to remember what it felt like.

She said she was going to go patrol. He nodded and watched her turn to leave. He couldn't bring himself to say anything else, though he regretted it as soon as she was gone. He looked at the pile of fox bones on the ground and kicked one, with all his might. Then he turned and headed towards the border, where he would go hunt for his family.