Swiftcurrent Creek lost in space

@Constantine or @Durnehviir or really anyone because he's muchos muchos close.

The other side of the mountains didn't seem very different from anywhere else he'd recently been. There was some variety in elevation as he climbed down over the course of a few days, and then he encountered a series of booming waterfalls that kept his ears ringing long after he'd departed their range; by the time Larus stopped for a rest, he was slinking along a riverside with the mountain's shadows rolling across his flank. The cool air this brought was a welcome reprieve from the growing warmth of these past few days. It was still spring - but he wondered for how much longer.

This also brought him to another query: Wherever he was supposed to be, whoever he was supposed to be with (because Larus felt certain that there was someone he was missing), were they looking for him? For how many days now had he been cautiously examining every inch of the earth, every scent, every nook or cranny? And yet here he was, striding alongside this narrow bend in the river, feeling just as lost as before.

He sighed, and marched along. If anyone was hunting for him then there was little hope of being found. He had crossed too much territory between his waking at the dusty steppes and beyond - he'd crossed a whole mountain range, he'd -- wait, what was that? Larus didn't recognize the collection of stone and moss for what it once was, but he thought upon first glance it resembled a bear; it looked old, but not naturally forming aside from the dense greenery that coated it. He didn't know that the bear shape was an old grave - nor that his father had, at some point, crossed this same path and built it himself.

Larus stared at it for a few moments before carrying on, and only slowed his pace when he found something of more value - the scent of wolves, and they were all around him. Perhaps he had been too absorbed in his own mind to notice his trespassing, but now that he had, his tail tucked and he bayed an apologetic sound.

Phoenix lifted his head at the call, departing the stream at a sprint in nearly the same beat. He didn't recognize the voice, but it was near, and his fear that this might be like the last time the Creekers had come upon a trespasser spurred him to find the source first. He had not yet adapted to this pack's strict policy on trespassing. He could remember the confused and furious expression of the Morningsider as he was violently chased from the premises, and it saddened him deeply. Had he even been given the chance to show proper deference? Maybe he had, but it didn't matter now. Not when he thought he could prevent something like that from happening again.

It didn't mean he'd be gentle about it, though. He was upon the tuck-tailed wolf fiercely when he found him, his brutish frame demanding the most severe submission one could muster, lest he have to use more than his weight to cow the intruder. He had yet to show his teeth, but the threat radiating from the packwolf was clear: submit, or fight.

His call was met not with sound, but with action. The blur of red that came for him condensed in to a wolf-shape in mere seconds, and Larus watched this stranger keenly while keeping himself as relaxed as possible. They were young - maybe a year old, maybe a little older - and they did not strike him down immediately, which gave him hope. There was an agitated aura about the red-furred stranger that made Larus wary and also, strangely, a familiarity. The creature looked like someone he vaguely remembered — but like most memories lately, it was evaporating before he could get a fix on it. No, he didn't know this stranger.

But they were giving him the benefit of the doubt, or so it seemed. Larus could do very little to make himself small or meek, being such a stalwart fellow himself, but he wagged the tip of his tail and re-tucked it, and lowered his head so that it was level with his shoulders and crooned another of those notes. It felt most natural to behave this way rather than speaking - but to be clear, he took a breath and said, I'm sorry, I did not mean to come this far -- you must live here. I -- I can leave.

The stranger bowed, which would have been appropriate enough for the red-banded guard at an earlier age, but now—attempting to evolve into the nature of his current packmates—Phoenix felt like this wasn't good enough. He wanted the threat on its back; exposed and apologetic. But between his softer side and knowing he didn't necessarily have time for trivialities in the level of submission given, he allowed the trespasser his voice.

Half-listening, half-snuffling, he examined the gold-masked wanderer; up close and very personal in a way that might've been familiar to the lone wolf. A lone wolf who, in another life, had needed to get used to these same kind of manners from an older, greyer version of the wolf before him now. Once certain that he wasn't a threat and smelled nothing of sickness, Phoenix chanced to look away; his gaze darting wearily for signs of others coming. "You're lucky I'm here first. Apologies aren't worth much to this pack -- my pack -- when you're this far in," he said seriously, giving the male's shoulder a firm nudge. It was clear he didn't share the same sentiment as his mates... at least not yet.

"Let's get to the borders. Quickly."

The way the stranger moved - so close, with sharp and direct insistence - did not bother Larus as it perhaps should have. These behaviors were familiar in the same way the yearling's red pelt was familiar: as if from another life, one that made much more sense than the one he currently lived. Bade to follow the crimson boy to the borders, Larus merely nodded and hurried to comply. How strange this moment was! He should have been attacked, chased, but instead there was leniency. Perhaps it was the stranger's age that created this awkward exchange, but Larus was glad for it.

As they passed through the territory it became clear how he had missed the mark — having come down from the mountainside, he had no way of locating the borders to begin with until the pair of wolves had passed near to them. The scents were unfamiliar (making Larus feel a touch depressed but otherwise unaffected), but they were clearly marked and in the opposite direction from where he had been discovered. It was as if fate had pulled him here - perhaps to give him answers, or to reunite him with something - but he was left with more questions.

Thank you -- I am no threat, and I am glad you see that. It was a mistake. But still, there had to be a reason for it besides the whims of a lost boy. The riverside did not seem special, the terrain did not feel familiar in any regard, but that monument he had found — the bear — it resonated with him. Something about it made him want to linger and investigate.

They were still becoming familiar with the land. The fact the pack had completely multiplied since their departure from the forest did little to ease the mind of the shadowrunner, not when he remained unfamiliar with many of them and his mate was so close to giving birth.
 
As such, the wolf rounded the borders rather consistently these days, given how unfamiliar he was with the neighbouring territories, and with it, who might live on them. There had been trespassing already, but nothing that held malicious intent thus far – but that didn’t mean the Mayfair trusted nothing would arise.
 
He had heard the call – an apologetic note in the air, and his paws quickened. He came upon Phoenix – the yearling wolf who was proving to be a decent asset – herding the other to the borders. Slowing his pace, Constantine’s fiery gaze drifted over the icy stranger, his own emotions unreadable as he pressed forward in silence, closing the distance between him and the two males.

At a dogged forward pace, Phoenix didn't look at all interested in conversation. He had only concern for reaching the outskirts without conflict, and thankfully his contrite guest had the sense (or luck) to remain silent until they seemed to be home free. His red tail lashed at the granite wolf's gratitude. He did not hide his anxiety, and irritation, from neither his body language or his tone. "Like I said: you're lucky. Where I come from we don't fear trespassers; the whole pack's always behind you. But here, everyone's really defensive because—" He didn't get to finish his thought.

Phoenix whirled around, ruffled and on edge, but once he saw just who was coming up, the yearling immediately lost all defensiveness to his posture. His tail went lank and he stood stock-still, hoping that they were near enough to the borders now for Constantine to find the act forgivable. He averted his gaze, but set them on the stranger, prepared at a moment's notice to hassle him into submitting further, if his alpha was not pleased with the display so far. He wouldn't be entirely surprised if the stranger took off on them, either.

"I was just leading him out," he thought to explain. He certainly couldn't explain why he had trespassed, but the wolf had claimed it was a mistake, and from the smell of him Phoenix had already surmised how. "He came from the mountains," a natural barrier, and not one that the Creekers practiced marking; "and he was alone. Said he's not a threat."

Where he came from..? By the sounds of it, this boy was just as fresh to the area as himself. It made Larus wonder about his own role. Was this his home? Was he meant to be here..? But he didn't think about it for long. His escort was explaining things but got cut off when another body came towards them - this dark figure held purpose in their step, and by the way the red-coated youth reacted, this was someone to be respected. Larus' ears twisted back upon his head and he tried to make himself look small (which was unsuccessful, again).

His situation was explained swiftly. He felt the need to clarify a little bit: I am sorry, I was lost and trying to find my way down from the mountains -- and I ended up here. He was quick to speak and even faster to silence himself, watching the newcomer with a few hasty glances before he averted his eyes in deference. Those glances didn't tell him much: this wolf was a bit older than the first and quite healthy, and his posture denoted him to be in control of the situation, perhaps the alpha of the entire pack. However, he did not look familiar, and so Larus was left feeling just as lost as before.

Contemplative, the stoical shadowrunner cast his eye to the mountain as they spoke of the stranger losing his way. He gave a slow nod, his gaze drifting back to the silver rogue as he considered whether they would have issue with their claim along the mountainside. It was something they would need to investigate further.
 
His tail gave an idle flick, his shoulders rolling back in a casual shrug. “Very well,” he rumbled, deciding the other appeared to be non-threatening and more than willing to comply with his mistake. “If you’re looking to get around the creek, I recommend going northward, away from the mountain’s edge,” he suggested, only because the forests surrounded them in that direction – and thus, he would more likely come upon prey and water far more easily.

Skippin with permission ~

They were both very accomodating to the young man and he was greatful for it, but as he looked around — first in the direction that the swarthy wolf had mentioned, and then swiftly at all the others — Larus realized he didn't really know where to go from this point. Getting away from the mountains was one thing, but where to next? How could he be certain he wasn't leaving behind something incredibly important on the other side of the mountain? They had not been his home, neither had been the southern range of dusty plateaus, and it was unsettling to not remember.

After briefly observing his surroundings, Larus glanced at the two strangers with an expression of uncertainty and said, This is going to sound strange, but.. Am I familiar to either of you? He paused to absorb their initial reactions to this and then went on to explain, I'm not sure where I should go from here. Lately it feels like I should be somewhere, and that I've been... Displaced, somehow. I have been trying to remember where I'm supposed to be but for the life of me, I cannot. He had a small frown upon his face now, his expression creased with worries — hoping that he wasn't sounding like he'd lost his mind when in reality, it felt like that was precisely why he'd crossed the mountains on such an irregular path.

Phoenix remained quiet for now, and Constantine studied their accidental trespasser. With Durnehviir due any day now, his leniency was running thinner, but at the heart of his blood, Constantine remained a Mayfair – Lasher’s teachings and penchant for extending second chances was something ingrained within him. Still, when the other did not seem to rush in his exit, the Alpha felt a light frown beginning to pull at his features, and he lifted himself higher.
 
When it was revealed why he continued to linger, the shadowrunner gave pause in consideration, wondering once more why there seemed to be so many wolves without their memories. “I’m afraid not,” he answered, his molten eyes drifting to Phoenix to see if the tawny wolf would claim to know him. “If it’s this land that drew you in, I can’t help you. It’s my mate who grew up here, not me.”

It was disheartening to hear the swarthy man's tiny explanation. He shrank back a half-step as they lifted their head and showed their dominance, their possession over the soil upon which he was treading. Believing it meant he was on borrowed time (and that he was expected to depart quickly, so as not to worry the guardians of whatever family was living by the river) Larus indicated with a few steps that he was doing that - he was just slow, trying to get as much as he could out of this exchange. He didn't like the growing void of questions in his mind; the missing time, the daily reminders that he was not home, and that he had no idea where home even was. 

But he took one last chance: Would she know me? My name is Larus, um... Larus Sveijarn, that was the only solid, constant thing that existed within him. That name, accompanied sometimes by a distracting sound like the sea roaring in his ears. He rememebered going by a different name for a long time, but this one was affixed to him as one of the details that just wouldn't fade like the rest. If you could please, just ask her, maybe. I'll go  — and I thank you for being so kind despite my blunder — but maybe you could ask her? I don't know where to go from here.. He was rambling a little bit, hesitant, apologetic, but soon enough was taking great strides to leave the creek behind in the next few moments.

He could only hope that the stranger's kindness would persist despite there being no reason for that happening.

It wasn’t the rambling of the stranger that caused his ears to slick back – it was how flustered the silver wolf seemed, especially when the request came that the swarthy regal ask his mate. If he did, and Durnehviir did know him – then what? Would the other be around to inform?
 
Constantine withheld the light frown that threatened to pull at his features, but his eyes remained intent upon the other, and he released a gentle chuff that also mixed as a sigh. “I’m not sure if she wold know,” he offered, his tone soft, but not with pity or mistrust. Swiftcurrent Creek was a place he knew Durnehviir opted for fresh beginnings – that much had been proven by their current followers they had picked up along the way. “Listen, if you need a place to stay, you can join our ranks. I don’t usually offer my home as temporary to others – but if you need a place to settle yourself until you figure it all out, then you’re welcome to do it here.” He paused, finally allowing his frown to press to his broad muzzle. “If you leave without word, the offer will not stand. We ask for respect here – and that means not just coming and going as you please. If you need to travel for a few days, just let us know.” He paused then, waiting to see what the other would think of this.

Sorry for taking so long doiiii

The offer that came from the dark wolf's lips was a surprising one, but he welcomed it. The boy wasn't sure if he was meant to be here or somewhere else - if he had left behind something important, or had been meant to wander for days. He felt a great relief flood his body when he realized he could stop and rest, take some time, and try to remember things.

I - I - he had no words for this kindness, and fumbled a little bit before landing on a sincere response: Thank you so much, that would help a lot. I'll do anything and everything to make myself useful, of course. Anything you want, I will find a way to do it. He had never felt very capable before, but Larus knew he could offer something in return. Otherwise he'd just be another mouth to feed and that wasn't right. I'll get started right now! He stated, and made a bee-line across the border markers.

The silver wolf accepted the offer – the enthusiasm was unexpected, but the swarthy wolf kept a sharp eye on the male as he darted across the borders. Taking a casual lope forward, Constantine closed the distance between them, his jaws reaching out to gently grasp the boy’s gold-masked muzzle, a grip of welcome and dominance.
 
His own tongue smoothed across his lips, and taking a step back, his eyes drifted to Phoenix, who had remained quiet during the past few moments of conversation. “I’ll leave you to help him settle in,” he spoke, giving an idle flick of his tail. With that, the swarthy wolf left the two to their own devices for now – eager to seek out his pregnant mate and check in on her.