Wolf RPG

Tavi wasn't the smartest wolf in the world. She was aware of her lack of knowledge in many areas, and it was made painfully clear by Shreya during their first lesson. She knew she was smarter than a lot of wolves though - a few coming to mind right off the bat - but whatever intelligence she held was offset by a recklessness that could, and probably would, lead to her downfall. This afternoon, as the light was broken by a fog of grey cloud-cover, she departed from the Maplewood with the intent of find the herds and tracking them. Somehow though, Tavi's path pulled her northward. She was very aware not to cross the river in to the forbidden territory beyond; instead, she marched northwest, and once she settled upon the moraine's edge, reached the base of the glacier. This seemed like a safe place to scout out, as it was quite far from the Sleeping Dragon pack - but a part of Tavi hoped there would be something fun waiting for her along the way.

Maybe it was the rising bravado within her from being appointed Beta, or the ego boost of having a punching bag around the packlands -- but she wasn't afraid. Tavi's next few hours were uneventful, and she passed between the ridges without issue. The land was rocky and perilous at times, icy at others, as if spring was purposefully avoiding the area. She did not entertain that idea for long - or any idea - because as soon as her stormy body crested the next hill, she was faced with the sight of white; a nearly endless plane of white snow and ice, broken only by stones and some distant trees she chose to ignore. It was beautiful, and stole her breath away for a few seconds.

When she returns home with her band of wolves, free of wounds, she gives them the task to rest up and then continue their patrols. One pack coming up nearby means there could be others in the future. She'd already settled her claim close to another territory but their division of lands works in both of their favors. It is a shame they've started out on rocky footing but she liked the boundaries set between them.

She deviates her patrol later in the day, mostly to initiate where the river ends. When she catches the scent of Phoenix, her hackles raise instinctively. She's reminded of Reek, of Esaro, but it's not one she recognizes to see a face attached as she approaches.

The terrain evens out to a snowy expanse that catches Thuringwethil off guard. The days have warmed but the more she goes inward, the chill surprises her and as she spots the peppered wolf against the white background, she offers a gentle chuff. The scent matches the one she'd been following as a gust of wind rushes into her face. Her posture remains stiff, head lifting a little but her tail remains even with the rest of her body.

It was remarkably tranquil here. Like everything was at a stand-still, either frozen in the ice or frozen in time entirely. The snow was hardly marked - indicating that prey wasn't frequent on the chillier portions of the glacier - but maybe the forests adjacent would be a better place to scout? Tavi had little time to think about this. She turned as if to descend from her roost towards the trees, and it is at this point she hears the other wolf. Her head lifts slightly, ears twitching and turning, and soon enough she spots the wraith among the snow. This is not a woman she is familiar with; perhaps it was a rogue? But the bearing she holds is... Similar to the way Saena carries herself. A wolf from Sleeping Dragon?

Hello, she pipes up, oddly demure despite the recent ego boosts. Perhaps here new position hadn't instilled that much faith in Tavi. She shifts her weight and begins to stride closer, keeping her wits about her - looking for hints to the stranger's mood or intentions, but everything is well hidden. You're from the mountain. Maybe, maybe not. But she put it out there for the stranger to confirm. The wind shifts slightly, allowing Tavi some clues, but she has no reference point with which to identify this woman.

The wolf picks up her greeting and her muscles tense up as she’s approached. Her strides are smooth and she finds herself watching the way she puts one foot in front of the other as the distance closes enough to be addressed. You’re from the mountain. There’s a few seconds before Thuringwethil responds with a short nod, confirming the observation. They are far enough away from either pack that gives Thuringwethil a little ease but she isn’t sure exactly how the Phoenix wolves would handle them in a safe zone.

“And you’re a Phoenix,” Thuringwethil replies, taking a step to close the distance. There isn’t trust in her movements but perhaps an understanding. If the other wanted to move on without her presence, she wouldn’t stop her; she’d even take her own leave if she preferred. She’d been here first after all.

And you're a Phoenix. the other wolf states, her tone flat, and steps closer. Tavi doesn't know how to take this initially, and is simultaneously bolstered by the association and made wary by the stranger's advancing steps. There is still some distance between them though. That, and the mountain wolf does not appear as hostile as Tavi would have expected. She doesn't know what to say or do next, and simply stands in awe of the glacier. She watches it for a few moments, taking her eyes from Thuringwethil even though she might present a danger; her ears however, remain pivoted to catch any sounds from the she-wolf. 

Then, unprompted, Tavi mutters, We got your message. She knew to stay clear of the Dragons, and was tempting fate just by exploring these far-flung reaches of the north. Another thought popped in to her head though, and a brief smile flit across her features. Although I wish you had killed the messenger when you had the chance. Esaro was a fool. Then again, his death might have spelled war — and for all her animosity towards the boy, she wasn't so bloodthirsty. Perhaps the mountain wolf would see that she was not entirely serious. Reek has clarified it as well. Am I too close? It was not her intention.

Dark eyes search the woman’s face as she speaks, announcing their message had been received. Reek had already paid her a visit to confirm what she sent back with Esaro, confirming the terms of their agreement had not changed. What might have given them a little comfort to be near each other changed to a kill order should either wolf cross the river. Her own knew not to go below and if they did, their fate would be met the same as if a phoenix were to cross north of the river. 

It surprises her, however, when she wishes death upon the wolf that committed the crime. Her brows burrow between her eyes in concern, confusion, and she can’t help but wonder exactly what goes on within the maplewood. 

“You’re safe,” she acknowledges first, nodding her head a little. She forces herself to ease further into a more neutral position and offers a slight shake of her tail before she stills, as if she had to prove. 

Questions bubble behind her lips that she debates over, whether or not it is appropriate to ask. If it had been her, she doubts she would answer, but for some reason she feels a mild concern for the wolf she could have easily taken the life of. The maplewood had not been good to him, Reek failed him as a leader and then continued to seek punishment. And this female feels his death is warranted for a mistake he really can’t be blamed for. 

“Esaro confessed he did not know about the agreement. Why does he get the blame?”

The question is turned back on her, and Tavi is surprised. She hadn't thought of anything beyond her dislike of Esaro; but now she is faced with it, and has to think. She does it quickly, like ripping off a bandage. The answer is messy. He should have known. Esaro's ignorance put us in jeopardy, so he deserved more than a few flesh wounds. Tavi was no diplomat, and her anger towards Esaro was plain within the tone of her words. She was technically no better than Esaro at this point — he wasn't aware of the arrangement and overstepped, while Tavi knew well enough but let her emotions overwhelm her good sense. This was information that the Dragons did not need to know, yet it flowed freely like their riverside border.

Although I guess... Death at all would be bad. Regardless of whose. As she says this, Tavi realizes how she sounds, and becomes uncharacteristically quiet. Either because of an innate fear she is next, or — and this is more likely — the thought of a war between the two packs finally clicks in her vapid little mind. As brave as she felt, as powerful and comfortable in her role, Tavi was no warrior. She likely would've fallen quick to the teeth of a mountain wolf such as this stranger.

Even though she comes around about the concern of Esaro’s death, Thuringwethil can’t stop the voice of concern she had went speaking to Reek. Even questioning his leadership skills now, in the presence of one of his own, might not be the best idea, but the logic spills from her mouth anyway. “His ignorance hurt him, but he paid that price with me,” she begins, “it is your leader that put your home in jeopardy by not making sure he knew.” 

Thuringwethil can only assume they all know now, hoping Reek has learned from his mistake.

She doesn’t expect to ever see the male again but unless he moved above the river, she’d have no intention of attacking him again, just as she would not attack this female now. What relaxation she had a moment ago, however, disappears as she stiffens. Thuringwethil remains neutral but she watches the female’s expression for signs of change as she essentially blames her leader for putting them in danger.

The girl's only response when she hears the other wolf talking about her leader, which she assumes is Reek, is to puff up a bit. She doesn't try to hide how offended she feels (mostly because Tavi has no tact, and has no idea how to hide anything), and her tail lashes at her hocks. We all knew. The rule to keep east of the river was spread quickly, but thoroughly. Anyone doing patrols made sure to keep on our side of the river. Which, to Tavi, implied that Esaro was more than ignorant of his own accord - he also never attempted to protect the boundary. If he had, at least in Tavi's mind, then his memory would have been refreshed with each march of the territory edge.

There was nothing else to say, though. Tavi wouldn't admit to being wrong — she didn't feel wrong — and so the conversation waned. If the mountain woman responded in any manner, she'd likely let it slide. Maybe Reek should have reminded everyone to stay free of the Dragons, but at the time it may have seemed unnecessary. The beta was irritated by the negative commentary towards her friend, which likely spoiled her view.

The other goes into a explanation that doesn’t provide a bulletproof way that Esaro should have known. Thuringwethil doesn’t push it and turns her head, looking out instead at the clearing. Talking about this with someone other than Reek felt weird and she’d already pushed too far. The business of the phoenix wolves matter little to her but there’s something swirling in her chest, a bitter feeling of pity she has for the male she’d attacked, but she lets it stew His justice is not hers to serve when the damage had been committed.

"All right," she says, her words not really directing at the silver female. Disbelief laced in the short declaration but she doesn't pursue it any further.

Thuringwethil glances back, giving the grey girl a slow once over on the way she holds herself, but position is not well explained. There is little she knows about them, but she supposes the same can be said in return. Her bleeding heart remains bandages, quickly covering up what she leaves behind. The dark leader doesn’t know if the female has anymore to say but she realizes she doesn’t have any interest in hearing it. Glancing back the way she’d came, she shifts her large form and begins her retreat from the stranger.

Tavi has no idea who she has just talked to - or rather, vented at. But once their conversation comes to a lull, the dark woman turns to leave and Tavi doesn't stop her. There is no reason to linger here, to talk of things which had transpired in the past. Even if the Maplewood was in danger from Esaro's antics then, they weren't now - and Tavi would have to come to terms with that. Or the next best option would be to abandon the Maplewood entirely; however, the Beta couldn't see that ever happening. Without a sound, she turned to regard the glacier for a few moments longer, and then abandoned the view for something more familiar, working her way backwards.