Great Bear Wilderness i'm tired of running (DISCOVERY THREAD)

@Mara

It had been a few days since Mara accepted him into the pack, or the soon to be created pack, and although he seemed to look calm and collected, he was nervous inside. What if Whitewater Gorge disbanded a few months after its creation? Every pack he had joined seem to be like that, and ever since he had been wary of joining soon to be created packs. Wyeth did not know what told him to join this particular pack, but something inside him told him to give them a chance to prove themselves. Prove that they wouldn't disband and leave him to pick up the pieces, like all the others before did.

Tigerheart had been exploring the gorge, it was a beautiful place to live even if it wasn't near the sea. It was a secret place, something that only the pack knew, the entrance was something only pack members knew about. It was something that no one else could know about, and he liked that. The less outsiders knew about them, the less danger they would be in, unless they seeked danger itself out. The cinnamon agouti had found caves in the ravine walls, places they could shelter in, and there were also tunnels connecting some of them, like a large den with rooms. It was something the Alpha could think about, he planned to give her a report soon.

Wyeth trotted to the edge of the river and lapped up some of the icy liquid before lifting his head and looking around his home. Winter had stripped many leaves from its trees, but he could see that in the warmer seasons, the gorge was brimming with evergreens. Various types of trees dotted the secret valley which the pack lived in, the river ran through their land, the provider of fish. There would be plenty of food for the pack, prey would most certainly live in this valley, with its lush grass and tall evergreens. Only pack members would be able to see through the jagged peaks and tall walls, and gaze at the treasure that lay behind.

In a way the gorge reminded the little crimson warrior of her old home. It was isolated, yet beautiful. Like the mountains, it was a treasure contained behind sharp walls. She had busy with sorting out the members and the boundaries for the past few days so she hadn't really gotten a chance to find out what lay hidden in her new home. Maybe that wolf Runt had taken such a liking to had found something. After all, he did say he was going to explore.

She trotted along the river rocks that made up the banks, spray from the rapids misting her fur with silver droplets. The round stones felt cool against her worn paws as she padded further into the gorge.

After being here for a couple days, they still hadn't found any good den locations. The spray from the river made the ground eternally wet and the ledges up above were too narrow and unsheltered to serve as sleeping places. Disappointment filled her as she though about how unhappy everyone would be if she didn't find a solution fast. She was so deep in her thoughts that she didn't see the cinnamon-furred man until she nearly ran him over.

Surprise lit her eyes and she toppled ungracefully onto her behind to avoid trampling him. After actually looking at his face, Mara realized it was the wolf she had been thinking about only moments before. But that brought her back to her previous misery, causing her voice came out as if she was disappointed that it was him she had to talk to.

"Oh, its you."

She didn't mean for it to come out so rude, but it just sort of slipped, and the expression on her face only made it look worse.

The Alpha's familiar scent clouded his nostrils, he turned around, ready to greet her but instead was met with the sight of her toppling onto her butt, probably to avoid bashing straight into him. A tiny smile toyed at his lips but it did not reach his eyes, they remained emotionless as he looked at her with stoic indifference. Even though he made to lower himself in her presence. It wasn't that Wyeth wasn't happy to see her, but it had become a habit to hide his emotions, something that was trained into warriors back at home. It was a necessary skill, wherever you were.

"Oh, its you." Tigerheart dipped his head respectfully to her direction, Yes, he replied before deciding to add a lightly joking not happy to see me? Not that he cared. Keen eyes did not miss the expression on her face and Wyeth wondered if it was something related to the pack, and if he could help.

Is there something wrong? Wyeth asked in his naturally accented voice, a look of brief concern flashing through his gaze. Anything I could do to help? If its about the pack, I've done some exploring around the gorge, the barest hint of a smirk flitted across his features. If its about you, you could talk to me about it.

She quickly got to her paws and shook her fur lightly to scatter the excess moisture from her fur. She met his eyes which didn't share the smile that flitted across his maw. She shook her head, indicating that that she wasn't disappointed to see him.

"No, it's not you." she assured, her expression still not happy. There was no point in trying to hide it, she was never good at hiding her feelings anyways. The things she meant to keep quite usually just bubbled out, her mouth having no comprehension of the consequences that would follow smart-mouthing.

"Its about the pack. But if it was about me, then you would be the last person I would want to talk to about my problems." she said, catching the smirk that flittered across his face. She considered adding a no offence to the end of her sentence, but decided that if he wanted to take offence from that, then it was his problem.

"No, it's not you." her expression was still not happy, it seems that Mara did not know how to hide her emotions, nor did she care. Made her all the more interesting, he supposed. She continued speaking, saying it was about the pack and that if it was about herself, he would be the last person he would talk to. Wyeth was truthfully more amused than offended, and he let that show by the brief twinkle in his eyes and a light smile. The last person eh? Then you would rather talk to the jerk Alpha about your problems rather than me? Tigerheart's tone was lightly teasing, if she couldn't take it, it wasn't his problem.

At the thought of Whitewater Gorge however, he turned serious. What about the pack? I might be able to help, he asked. After all, Wyeth had been thoroughly exploring the gorge, if it was about the territory, he was fairly sure he would be able to help her. If she wanted it, of course, Mara seemed like the stubborn type. She reminded him slightly of one of his siblings, the stubbornness, it could be a good thing or a bad thing depending on how she used it.

The talk about the bitch Alpha brought a thought to his head and with a curious cant of his head, Tigerheart asked Runt never told me what you wanted to do with The Spine? Do you plan on avoiding it or...? he let the question hang in the air, wishing to know of her intentions. If there was going to be battle, Wyeth needed to train both Runt and himself. And Mara and his packmates too, if they accept.

Mara's eyes turned dark at the mention of Cara, even though it was meant to be a joke. To far, buddy, to far. Her silver eyes narrowed as she glared at him. "Ha ha, very funny." she retorted, not wanting to discuss Cara, even though she knew she would have to explain at some point or another. She just didn't expect him to ask her right them.

"From what I've seen, the gorge has no places to store herbs, store food, or even sleep!" she exclaimed, listing off the number of problems she had encountered. If she didn't find a way to fix them soon, then she was afraid they would have to abandon the gorge. And if they abandoned the gorge, then they would probably disband, and if they disbanded, then there was no way to take Cara down. And she couldn't let that happen.

The list seemed to grow in her mind, fueling her anger until her silver eyes turned into a ranging storm of grey. It was all her fault, that stupid bitch. Ever since she was little, Mara had been very blunt. Usually it was in a more happy, giggly way. But now she found herself saying rude things and just being a bitch in general.

Taking deep breaths, she calmed herself and met his eye again, her own clear and uninhabited by any emotions. She knew she would have to explain her plan sooner or later, it just looked like it would be sooner.

"What you need to know at the moment is that the spine is not to be trusted and any spine wolves you see lurking around need to be dealt with." she said calmly, not giving any information that wasn't necessary. She had found it easier to keep things on a need to know basis when it came to the spine.

Keen eyes noticed the way Mara's gray eyes darkened at the mention of the bitch Alpha and the way she glared at him, perhaps he went too far this time. Normally Wyeth didn't care, it wasn't his problem if she got angry because of a mere joke, why should he care if she was this sensitive? But for some reason, he felt a twinge of guilt at making her angry. He shrugged it away but decided to apologise. After all, it was probably a bad idea to get on the Alphess's bad side, so the regal shot her an apologetic look, but spoke no words. Tigerheart was never a man of words.

Mara shared her worries with him, for a moment it caught him off guard. They haven't found the caves in the ravine walls yet? Wow, was he the only one who even bothered exploring? He should get extra credit for it. Olive green eyes searched her face, yet revealing none of his own emotions. I have a solution to your problem, he began, a light smile touching his features. This Mara was proving to be interesting. I can take you to there if ya want, he paused, waiting for her agreement, or disagreement.

There's this part in the ravine, its filled with caves. They aren't too easy to find, which will prove useful if there ever is an invasion and we have some weak or elderly. The caves are large and its safe, you could weave some reeds and lichen together for a door in case it ever rains if you want to. he paused, running through the memories of the caves in his head. There are hidden tunnels in the caves, they can lead from one cave to another so its basically like a huge large den with different rooms? Of course there are also caves with more obvious tunnels and stuff. I think the tunnel thing is a good idea, then the wolves of the Gorge could be more like a family. His own opinion, of course. Not only can we sleep there and shelter there, we can store herbs, food and other treasures. Looking around him and spotting the moss lining the river bank, he smiled. If the cave ground is too hard and we're out of furs, this moss here will be good bedding, if we squeeze all the water out. And moss always has other uses. Like fetching water for a pregnant mother? It might be hard for them in the beginning, but they'll get used to living in the caves, getting to places by moving through tunnels, and using the narrow ledges as paths. He grinned now, If invaders come, they'll just fall off and die.

Tigerheart met her clear grey gaze with his own olive ones, the twinkle evident in his eyes as she spoke, "What you need to know at the moment is that the spine is not to be trusted and any spine wolves you see lurking around need to be dealt with." Dealt with had many definitions, especially for the young agouti warrior, so he tilted his head, confused although the confusion did not reach his eyes. Master of emotions, right? I'll be more than happy to deal with them, but by 'dealt with', do you mean to chase them away? Attack them? Wound them severely? Take them captive? Torture them? Kill them?

Sorry this is short, I am busy with school now that it's started again -.-

The cinnamon warrior shot a apologetic glance at her and she felt a little bad, for glaring at him for just a little joke. It wasn't him she was mad at, just Cara.

Her grey eyes sparkled brightly as Wyeth described the tunnel system he had found. It sounded amazing, and just what the pack needed to stay close together. Even though the band of loners had been in the gorge for at least 3 days now, they hadn't been able to explore it much. With Mara and Runt worrying about recruits and borders, plus the lurking danger of the spine near by, the rest of the wolves had fallen into disarray, hunting on their own and sleeping in secluded spots, never really talking to one another. It would so much better with the caves. If they were really as amazing as Tigerheart had described them as.

She quickly nodded her head, her tail wagging happily as she gestured for him to lead the way. Once she fell into step with him, he asked another question. Mara had to consider the answer before she spoke, because this was something that would shape the future of the pack. After considering it for a bit, she opened her jaws to talk.

"All of the above. Except for taking them as prisoners, since I don't want any wolves trying to come to the rescue. And maybe try not to kill them?" she responded, looking for Wyeth's gaze. "They're not wolves to be underestimated, but neither are we. Also if they have any prey or anything, make sure you take it." she finished, smirking a bit at the end.

Same over here...

The look in her eyes when he described the caves and the tunnels and their potential new home was something new to him, Wyeth had never seen her eyes twinkling before. Okay, they might have met only twice and stayed in the same area for like three or four days, he knew she was capable of fun and love despite her half steely half weird exterior but it was another thing to actually see it with your eyes. And weirdly enough, the cinnamon agouti liked it, he liked seeing her happy. To him, her weird and steely facade was fake, and this twinkling in her eyes was real.

Tigerheart began moving in the direction of the gorge, his steps silent and graceful, his posture was casual as they walked not really finding the purpose of lowering his tail and everything when proper ranks had not been established yet. Sure, it was obvious Mara was going to be the Alpha since she said so herself and she was the founder, but they were friends weren't they? Maybe not close ones, but like vaguely friendly packmates? At least that was how he viewed their relationship. Perhaps Mara thought him as an ally, not a friend. It was possible, the Innisfree had been considered a weapon, not a living being before.

"All of the above. Except for taking them as prisoners, since I don't want any wolves trying to come to the rescue. And maybe try not to kill them?" Tigerheart nodded his agreement, the not killing part was easy to do, he didn't like taking lives when he did not even know the wolf but if it was essential for his loved ones survival, he would do it. No life mattered more to him than those he cared about. Agreed, the agouti warrior said simply, I'll remember the get everything they have from them, useful stuff of course, a smirk twitched at his lips at the thought of raiding the wolves.

They soon arrived at the nearest cave entrance, it was not far from the river but was hidden from view by the tall evergreens that covered the ravine wall, shielding it from prying eyes. Here we are,

Okay, so how about the cave and tunnel system fills the cliff side, with some caves having a little precipice out over the gorge when they are higher up? And some can be just big rooms without a opening to the outside??

As they padded towards the caves Wyeth had found, the little alphess realized that after just two meetings, she had become very comfortable with the cinnamon warrior. There was no awkwardness, or even the uncomfortable feeling that came with wolves of two drastically different ranks being together. She remembered how weird she had felt around Mordecai, when he was still alpha. But then again, the ranks weren't official yet. Being around Wyeth, even only for the second time, calmed her a bit and she felt a little more like her old self.

By the time the pair had reached the caves, Tigerheart had agreed strongly on what should happen to any spine members found around the soon to be set borders. She smiled a bit at his smirk, she too thinking about how fun it would be to see the looks on the spine wolves' petty faces.

Just as Wyeth had said earlier, the caves looked amazing! And she had only seen the outside. Picking up her pace, she bounded ahead to the entrance and peered in. The light from the outside gave the caves a sort of eerie glow, but the perky little wolf was sure that a couple furs and other trinkets would make the place more homey.

"Wow. These look amazing and I haven't even been inside!" she exclaimed, her tail wagging excitedly. Nothing had made her this happy in a while and she welcomed the feeling with open arms.

She turned back to look at Wyeth, her eyes sparkling again. "Have you explored inside them much? How big is the tunnel system? Is it easy to get lost? Should we map it out or something?" she asked excitedly, her questions coming out in one fast sentence.

Sounds good to me, also, sorry for the short post.

Wyeth smiled at Mara's reaction to seeing the caves he discovered, it was good to know he was on the Alphess's good side for now. "Wow. These look amazing and I haven't even been inside!" The cinnamon wolf canted his head slightly, It just gets better, he commented. Truthfully he was not only referencing the caves, but life in general. He didn't know why he said that at all, but something prompted him to do it. You look better when you're happy, he said quietly, without the steely facade she wore and the unhappy look that marred her features, she was actually rather pretty.

Then she bombarded him with questions, "Have you explored inside them much? How big is the tunnel system? Is it easy to get lost? Should we map it out or something?" his brows creased slightly, taking in all her questions at once and sorting them out neatly in his head. Slow down, Mara, Tigerheart spoke in a teasing tone, I've explored a bit and the tunnel system is huge. The whole place is big so we really need to map it out, grinning at the Alpha, he continued. Wanna explore the interior together? We could map it out then, Mara should devote some time to exploring too, it was equally important.

It's fine, my post is going to be really crappy, because I have a killer headache x(

You look better when your happy. As soon as those words left his mouth, Mara had tilted her head down, clearly embarrassed as a blush heated her cheeks. She flicked her eyes up at him carefully, the embarrassment clear in her sparkling eyes.

"Thanks." she murmured, equally as quite as he had been. A little smile stayed on her face as she tried to hide her feelings, which would no doubt lead to extreme awkwardness. She tended to be all over the place when people complimented her, but this was different, even worse on the awkward stage. So naturally, with her lack of normal people skills, she tried to compliment him back.

"You look better when you smile too." she said, her voice almost a whisper and her cheeks heating to an even hotter temperature.

She almost forgot about her previous embarrassment when Tigerheart started explaining more about the caves. And going to check them out now. Of course she wanted to! She hadn't been able to really explore at all and her paws were itching to get moving. She grinned and hopped into the mouth of the cave, her tail wagging behind her like a pup.

"That sounds awesome! Lets go!" she squeaked. Then she realized how childish that sounded and quickly faked a serious face. "I mean, ahem, that sounds like a good plan. After you, good sir?" she didn't know quite what sparked the playful mood in her, but she didn't want it to end. She puffed up her chest and stretched her paw out in an extremely over exaggerated way, gesturing for him to go in front of her.

Wyeth watched, quietly amused as Mara looked down and then looked at him again, embarrassment in her wide gray eyes. She murmured a thanks to him, a small smile still on her face and then decided to give him a compliment too. "You look better when you smile too." she spoke, almost inaudibly. Keen olive eyes noticed her flushing but was wise enough not to make a witty comment about it, instead the agouti warrior calmly dipped his head politely. His thanks visible in his golden green gaze.

The amusement that Tigerheart managed to push down began to creep upwards again when Mara grinned widely and leaped into the cave entrance, her tail wagging widely. "That sounds awesome! Lets go!" she said childishly then seemed to realize it and quickly made a serious look. The effort she made, however, drew a small amuse smile onto his lips. I wouldn't say I was a good sir, Wyeth commented, but he gracefully accepted her offer and went in.

Again, her cheeks flushed hot with embarrassment and her eyes widened even more than normal. What was wrong with her? She was never this ditzy. She dropped her tail and looked at the floor awkwardly, following Tigerheart into the shadows of the cave.

"Sorry." she mumbled, she kept making a fool of herself and soon nobody would think of her as anyone of authority. Hell, maybe even Runt was more mature that her.

Her paws dragged on the floor as she followed him, trying to suppress the wonder that filled her eyes. The caves were beautiful. Smooth rock pelted with thick emerald moss was lit by the faint glow of the snow outside, the light coming in from a couple little holes in the wall. It was amazing and she almost couldn't contain herself. But she had to be professional, no more goofing off, it would only screw everything up.

This thread is out of date, wanna fade and have a new one? @Mara

"Sorry." Mara spoke, and Wyeth turned around, a gentle smile touching his lips. "What did you do to me that you should apologize for?" he cocked his head curiously at her. "If anything, I should be the one apologizing for teasing you," well, the warrior thought he was teasing her but the soon to be Alpha might think differently. Women were from a different planet after all, he did not understand them, and though he tried he knew he would probably never understand them. But he respected them all the same, and that was what counted wasn't it?

They entered the cave and Tigerheart paused to take in the scene, even after exploring by himself for sometime, it was still breathtaking. "Beautiful isn't it?" he murmured softly and the warrior smiled one of his rare smiles at the rusted female, "Shall we?" And with that, Wyeth trotted forward, deeper into the caves.

Sounds good to me :) Do you mind starting one? And this is my last post

She lifted her head and met Tigerhearts smiling eyes with her own embarrassed ones. But the embarrassment faded as she looked at him and she smiled back. She nodded her head in agreement and padded along beside him further into the depths of the caves. From what she could tell already, they were perfect for her pack and would only get better the further they explored.