Wolf RPG

Losing a mother was always a difficult thing to cope with.  Family ties tended to run strong, but none truly compaired to the bond shared between a child and it's mother.  Reek, who had had a rough upbringing so to speak, saw his mother as a shining ray of light in an otherwise bleak and unfriendly world. Losing his mother just before nearing his second year absolutely destroyed Reek. With heavy heart, Reek could understand the depth of loss that Desna and the rest of Scarlett's children must have been feeling.

But even then, Reek had been much older than Scarlett's children when his mother's time ran out. While he had been far from mature, he still carried a heafty amount of experiance with the world to help him cope with loss. Scarlett's children, on the other hand, had no such advantage. Apart from eachother, they were alone.

Stealing away from the border for a sweep though the packlands, Reek followed Desna's scent though the Maplewood. He hoped to check up on the child and see how she was handling her mother's untimely deminse. She needed to know, she still had a family here.

For Desna life was quite strange, especially after her mother died. It was weird for her to be gone. The burial was a great one, and even though she cried, Desna did have her peace about her mother's death. She had the feeling, like she said to Reek before, that her mother hadn't wanted to live. Desna was still seeking to expand her hunting trade and to keep her mind busy. The girl wasn't not sure what would happen in the future with her sisters. Sesi had ran off, Desna was not sure where she had gone. She had ruined that relationship, but on the one hand Sesi hadn't really been there for her either.

Nanook was another story. Desna was all thinking about this while trying to track the path a hare took. She stopped when she heard approaching footsteps. The tracker was being tracked herself. She looked up and smiled in greeting at Reek. "Hi Reek," she greeted, along with a gentle wag of her tail. She was happy to get some company from anyone to be honest.

Their strategies for dealing with grief were remarkably similar. Her tracking and his patrols were one of the same. They both drowned their sorrows in a flood of background noise in the hopes that their numbing routines would would protect them from the unavoidable and unrelenting pressure of silence. This maddening silence that had gripped the Maplewood as of late shook Reek to the very core. However, the effects of this silence were more difficult to discern in their effects on Desna, who appeared to be dealing with her mother's death in stride.

She spoke first and Reek stopped beside her. He was surprised by the strength in her voice. "Hey Des," hoarsely spoke Reek in a quiet whisper. "I just wanted to check up on you— How are you holding up?" It seemed quite well, but Reek knew some could fake a smile easier than others. It had never truly been a talent of his; he tended to wear his feelings right on his sleeve.

Desna sat down when Reek started to ask how she was doing. The girl liked that at least one person had shown interest in her. The girl hadn't seen Saena or many of the other members. Maybe she just avoided them, it was weird, especially in front of the new ones that didn't even knew her mother. "I'm okay, not really that bad either. I dislike that Sesi ran off, but well.. she has always been ... weird. And well Nanook.." Desna let out a sigh. "Nanook is Nanook. I can't get any height of her. So I kind of feel like I am alone in this, but that is okay. They haven't really been around like sisters should. I guess I am used to it?," she admitted to him. It was always easy to talk to Reek. He was a bit of a father figure in her eyes, or maybe a nice uncle. Uncle Reek she liked that.

Desna moved her tail a bit, she had been thinking about something else too but she wasn't sure if Reek would agree to it. In the end she would need his permission. She didn't want the pack to think she was gone again, like last time. "Um. I was also thinking of maybe searching for my father," she spoke slightly hesitantly. Her hazel eyes battering up at his for a very brief time, before looking back at the ground. "Not thinking, actually," she then corrected. "I want to." As much as she loved her mother she did not want to end up as timid as her. She was Desna, and she had a knack for doing things her way. Still she was dealing with Reek, someone she liked to be close to, and she knew bossy behavior wasn't always appreciated. "Would you let me go to tell him?," she asked.

"You're not alone Des," He quietly consoled. Despite not having the same report with Desna as he did with Scarlett, Reek felt that the youth was a part of his family simply by extension.  It was as if she were the final tangible piece of Scarlett left in the Maplewood— like a bit of her was left behind in the child. Reek wanted to hold on tightly, just as he did with her dying mother, and never let go. He could be her family, this pack could provide, but he still knew he would never be able to replace her true family. However, he'd do his damnedest to try.

He visibly winced when she meantioned leaving the Maplewood in search of her father, but Reek knew he could do nothing to stop her. He couldn't bear losing anyone else. At least, in the Maplewood he could try and keep her safe, like her mother would have wanted, but if she went elsewhere, he was stripped of all control. This made him uncomfortable, but he would not force her to stay. "Of course you can," he told her, unease evident in his tired voice. "Just— Please be careful. I don't want you gone too long."

Desna smiled at him gratefully. "I know, Reek," she spoke to him, realizing that he was really becoming part of her family. They might not be related by blood but he had been there for her. The dark colored female was glad that her mother had brought them here. Reek was a good guy. Yet, Desna was always the explorer and she was pretty keen on seeing more now she wasn't tied to these woods by her sickly mother. She looked down for a moment, having a gut feeling that Reek wasn't liking what she was saying. Though he did hid it very well, so Desna wasn't exactly sure.

"I... um. I am not tempted to join his pack, but I was thinking of going to see Mason.... and Steady. They are of the Silvertip pack and Mason was really nice! He wants to be a caretaker like you! He was very ambitious. They were friends of Mother, and they thought she could learn Mason anything about caregiving. But yeah, mother wasn't in a good shape to face them so I did. I thought while I was over the mountains to the dark forest... I could visit the mountain too?," she admitted to Reek. Desna had to admit she wouldn't mind seeing Mason again. She was a bit flushed about it. "Um. But if you want me not to go I can understand." Maybe once she returned Reek could travel with her to STM and teach Mason a few things about care giving.

Her list of destinations soon doubled from one to two. Reek fell silent, gaze downcast in pensive contemplation.  Part of him wanted to clip the child's wings say no, depriving her of her chance for happieness and closure in the sake of safety. The world was a terrible, terrible place— far too dangerous for a child to travel alone. He still had a pack to lead and a mate to take care of... Whatever venture she took, she took it alone.

He didn't know the wolves of Silvertip, nor had he ever heard reference to the pack's existance, but after hearing the excited quailty to Desna's voice as she spoke, Reek couldn't help but relent. She had been through enough. She needed this. His expression was conflicted as he fought an internal battle, but his final answer came in the form of a silent nod of the head, wordlessly giving the the child his blessing.

Desna watched his facial expressions, feeling a bit tense that he might say no. She would be okay with that, and understand it in a way. She just hoped that she was allowed to go. She bit the inside of her cheek as she waited for his judgement. But then the male nodded and Desna jumped up. Her tail was instantly wagging. "Really!?," she let out. "Oh! Yay! I promise I will work hard! I was thinking to use it for my Scout trade! You won't be disappointed in me," she spoke. She moved forward and licked his respectfully under his chin as a sign in thank you.

She quickly stepped back her happiness feeling out of place with the silence surrounding Reek. Her ears fell back, like she shouldn't have been so happy about leaving. Yet, she was still an adventurer at heart and having approval of exploring excited her. "On another note. I am very close to having my hunter trade... Would you hunt with me? As a final test?," she asked. She really liked to show Reek what she learned and maybe he could award her hunting trade afterwards.

Her eyes lit with joy and Reek could see clearly how happy she was to go. If he could bring the child just a shred of happieness in this sad time, he had done his job. Reek tried to smile back; the corners of his mouth twisted upward in an uncomfortable smirk. The childlike innocence and optimism of her's were meant to be protected, but Reek couldn't shelter her from the world forever. It was up to Desna alone to gaurd herself from cynicism. But, the world wouldn't make her bitter in the ways it turned and twisted Reek, he could see it written upon her face— She would keep her high spirits.

Reek accepted her gratitude without a word, and when she finally pulled away, his smile carried a level of warmth that he hadn't expressed since Scarlett had passed. The familiar feeling was brief. His face soon went slack and his expression became tired once more.

Her trades were progressing well. Desna had been the only child to properly pull her own weight in the Maplewood, and Reek felt she would always have a place among them as family. "I'd love to Des. Show me what you've got." He motioned forward with his muzzle and waited for Desna to take the lead. It was her hunt after all.

Desna nodded when Reek gave her the go of showing him how she could hunt. She was not sure what kind of specialty she wanted to yet. Maybe she would do more than one. The girl got his signal that she should take the lead. Desna had no problem with that. The girl jumped forward and started a brisk trot froward. Her nose was to the ground. She had always been a good tracker from the start. Yet, her ability to keep silent and pounce was something that needed to get better. Desna had practiced hard on staying silent now she was out of her childish state she was better at it.

Soon the girl found a track and instantly followed it. Yet, it was that of a raccoon and its scent went up a tree. She quickly changed her path until she started to smell rabbits. Her posture was changing and she was getting lower to the ground into a crouch walk. Up ahead were quite a few rabbits grazing. She looked over her shoulder to Reek. She dragged her paw over the ground in half a circle. One of her nails scratching half a circle in the dust, this was all for Reek so he might be able to get that she wanted him on the other side.

Together, they trudged throught he snowy wood in persuit of a promising scent.  However, when the first trail turned up dry, Reek couldn't help but droop with disappointment.  The raccoon being safely tucked away from harm in the Maplewood's protective branches was no indication of Desna's skill as a hunter.  She had led him to prey, that was enough for Reek.

There was a tenacity to the girl that Reek did not possess.  Soon, she was following a second trail, unwilling to give up, and dead set on an afternoon snack. Soon, they stumbled upon a warren of Rabbits and Reek ceased his ambling right behind where Desna came to rest, and there he sat in silent wanting.

He squinted down at the signals she tried to send as he tried to discern their silent implication. But eventually, the proverbial gears in Reek's head began to turn, and he silently slunk away to the otherside of the nibbling rabbits. He kept low to the ground and did his best to draw as little attention to himself as possible. Once on the otherside, Reek shot a glance at Desna and waited for her final signal.

Tracking was something Desna quite enjoyed, it was easy for her to lock onto a scent, probably because she was still young. For her it was still a bit of a game and Desna liked to win. The dark colored girl watched Reek move to a spot on the other side of the warren of rabbits. Desna grew excited with the prospect. She relocated herself a few meters so she would be close to blocking the entrance of their home. With that she dashed forward. She didn't want to howl because then she lost half of the rabbits.

Desna jumped forward pounded on one. She had Reek on the other side so if the rabbits would dash that way, and she was pretty sure a few had. Reek had the chance to make a kill too. The girl instantly pushed down the rabbit, not having the right location just yet, but she relocated her bite to its neck. Her teeth vs the rabbit made it a quick battle. Desna held up the rabbit proudly, tail up for a moment and wagging excitedly. This was one of her first kills. Hopefully this would prove too that she could travel on her own.

Reek kept a careful eye trained on Desna as he waited, but he needn't wait long, as she silently began to make her move on the rabbit warren. Now that she was upon the warren, rabbits streamed out in all direction. Reek tried to block the path of as many as possible with his body, but several hopped between his legs to safety before he had the chance to pluck one of his own. He snapped at a close hare, but he was unfortunately too slow.

But, all was not lost. He looke up to see Desna victorious, with limp rabbit hanging from her jaws. Reek smiled and shot her a congratulatory nod. "Good going Des! You got one," he said, voice laced with an odd sense of pride.

Desna smiled when Reek praised her. The girl noticed that Reek didn't catch anything. She did not know the reason but without hesitation she placed the rabbit at his feet. She tip toed back and looked at him with her hazel eyes. "For you," she spoke then. It was one of her first kills she did on her own and she wanted Reek to have it. He had been taken such good care of her mother when she was ill it only seemed logical that she would provide for him now. "I want you to have it to show my appreciation for you and what you did to save my mother," she spoke on a tone that could barely be argued with. Desna still had her bossy nature and even though Reek was the alpha this was something she could be bossy about.

Normally with both alphas she knew when to keep her mouth shut but in this moment she did not want Reek to decline her gift. Even though she was hungry it would push her to make a new kill which would give her more experience at being a hunter. She knew now what Saena meant with finding a reason to hunt, Desna had found hers. She wanted to provide for her pack, being very motivated by Reek's devotion.

To Reek's surprise, Desna dropped her fresh kill at the alpha's feet.  Part of him wanted to say no and make her keep it for herself, it was her kill after all. Reek had simply come along to watch. But, the tone of her voice suggested she wouldn't waver on the matter. It would be rude to reject such a gift and Reek wasnt one to look a gift horse in the mouth, especially with such sentimentality attached to it.

He stared down at the rabbit, face flush with gratitide.  "I don't know what to say Desna."  It was impossible to put into words the mixture of feelings he felt.  After a beat, Reek added, "We're so lucky to have you here.  You're going to be a fine hunter."  With her act of generosity, she had not only solidifeied her role in the pack as a hunter, but Reek now saw her as an extention of his own family, unlike the rest of Scarlett's brood.

Bending down to pick up the rabbit with his jaws, he shot Desna a final smile before turning away to deliver a fresh kill to his healing mate.  With food in tow, Reek disappeared into the frozen thicket.

Desna let out a grateful smile when Reek accepted her gift. The girl had wanted it and did not feel any regret of giving away her meal. If she wasn't going to succeed in her next hunt she might take a bit of food from the caches. "You don't have to say anything," she returned to him with a nod. It meant a lot to the girl that Reek believed in her. She was keen on expanding her knowledge about the hunt further. She would have to look into the specialties but she had no worries of working towards them.

She watched the male take his leave, and with him leaving Desna decided that she was in need to hunt for her own food. Hunger was driving her mostly, her nose back to tracking since that would keep her mind focussed on the scent and not on her dead mother. This was her new family.

-end-