Ezekiel had traveled with
@Reiko overnight and it was just dawning when they met the borders. The travel had been longer than he'd expected, but it was pleasant with her company. He found the way she walked quite strange, but also cute. She was a very kind girl and she'd quickly become a friend. Ezekiel didn't cross the border, but stood at it and howled for
@Steady. He would've howled for Zaria as well, but he barely knew her and wasn't as sure about how she'd feel with him bringing Reiko to them. While they had an open spot in their ranks, it was likely Zaria wouldn't want many more wolves in her company.
He sat down, remembering when he had first come to Silvertip Mountain. He'd heard of it from Krypton, a friend of his and decided to join. It had been a big step for him, and he wondered what Reiko was thinking about now. He tapped his paw impatiently on the ground, and decided to try and make small talk.
So don't worry, Steady is a really nice guy. He should be here soon.
He smiled assuringly. Around her, Zeke was a lot happier it seemed, she made him feel happy.
Edit:
@Steady, Reiko pmed me to say that you could post before her so she could respond to Steady. Just letting you know :)
Childish, Reiko didn't just follow Ezekiel as he walked closer to his home; instead she bounded over boulders, walked along the top of fallen logs at his side, and whenever she would get distracted and fall behind, she'd run to catch up. The young wolf was all over the place, curious and still taking her adventure not at all seriously. However she could feel the butterflies beginning to flutter in her belly - it was uncomfortable, but she was all at the same time excited to meet an Alpha that wasn't her parents or her sister.
Once Ezekiel called out for his leader, Reiko sat herself just a little bit away from the grey man's side, curling her tail over her toes and sat politely away from the scented borders. She wondered what kind of leader would come to greet them, would she see puppies? Unlikely, but she wished at least to get a glance at one or two.
She would peer over to Ezekiel from time to time, metaphorically leaning on him for some kind of moral support while she fought back the nerves.
Steady had been a busy Alpha as of late, and had to make some tough decisions. The pack was filling nicely and he was grateful for that. The howl that reached his ears told him there might be another. He paused in his tracks briefly before trotting towards the borders, his gaze taking in the silhouette of Ezekiel and one other wolf.
His eyes narrowed, though he grinned as he looked to his pack mate. Is there something you're not telling me? Are you starting a harem in my pack? he joked, his voice light. It seemed as though Ezekiel was bringing all the new females to the pack. All the ones he brought seemed to pretty, too, though Steady only had eyes for Niita. Steady wouldn't know how to react if Ezekiel was, in fact, starting his own harem.
He looked to the female, his expression turning a little more serious, though his voice remained pleasant. I'm Steady, Alpha of Silvertip Mountain, he said, introducing himself. You are...? His voice trailed off, expecting her to finish it. She seemed respectful already, and for that he was glad. Steady didn't think Ezekiel would bring anyone to the borders who he wouldn't be sure Steady would accept.
Reiko seemed a bit nervous, from the way she kept leaning on him. That was a normal reaction. Any wolf would find themselves a bit nervous when meeting another with the status of alpha. But what was abnormal was Ezekiel's tolerance towards her touch. Any other wolf and he would've been really uncomfortable. He wasn't fond of touching or any sort of affection that involved others touching him. But with her, it was stand able. Apparently he was rather comforting to her, for she stayed close by his side.
Soon Steady arrived, the dark male making a quickly joke. A harem? Zeke! A funny thought, the large grey male had really no idea how to even charm a female, other than the short advice Niita gave him. No, Reiko was just a very nice girl he met on his trip and she needed a home. But maybe he did like her, just a bit. He dipped his head, a brief formality to his alpha and grinned at his joke. No, harem's aren't my thing.
He replied in a soft and playful tone.
Then they got down to business, Steady introduced himself to Reiko and asked her own name. Ezekiel would let her do the talking, but he was there if she needed him. He gave the white wolf an encouraging nudge at her shoulder. She could do this.
Quickly the one she guessed was to be the Alpha had come and made his presence clear. His fur was dark, almost hard to see him come through the trees with the sun having set a while ago. Come to think of it, she felt like out of the three of them, she was the most noticeable out of the darkness with he phantasmic pelt of hers glowing in the dim light of the moon.
The first things that came out of the Alpha's mouth caught the young damsel off guard. Her ears flattened and confusion settled in, a harem? Ezekiel didn't come off as someone who would, but, what could she have gotten herself into? She glanced over at the grey one, who legitimately sat between the Alpha and the loner in both hues of the grey scale and as a mediator between them.
Promptly Ezekiel denied such accusations (in which the joke had flew over Reiko's head at this point) and Steady introduced himself, bringing on a more serious tone which helped Reiko forget about the odd scenario that made her rather uncomfortable quickly to begin. Zeeke nudged her, snapping the young woman out of her daze in trying to figure out what had happened with the whole harem conversation - "Uh - hi! I'm Reiko, I come from lands of snow, once princess of the Izuka clan. It's a pleasure lord Steady."
Having grown up with mannerisms, it was a hard habit to break, despite many asking her to be more casual with them. Dipping her head in the greeting, again, just something polite to do. The day that Reiko did something impolite would be a thing to behold, it was frankly second nature. "If I was aware of Ezekiel's plans, perhaps I would come another time under a different guide." there it was, the humour she found in the greeting. The initial shock had faded and she found herself more comfortable to joke about, teasing the young man who had brought her here just a little.
Thankfully, Ezekiel didn't seem put off by his joke, though the female eyed his pack mate wearily. But, Steady didn't worry, as Ezekiel rightly denied the claim.
She seemed a little shy, and Ezekiel had to nudge her back to reality as Steady waited patiently for her to speak. She claimed to come from lands of snow, and a princess no less. He wondered what she was doing here, in much different lands, and in what would be a much different hierarchy. Why did you leave your home? he asked, before adding. You realize you will have to start from the bottom here? He didn't assume she already knew that, and wanted to make it clear. Her life in her old home would be left there, and she wouldn't be given special treatment because of who she used to be. What can you offer us? he asked after she answered his previous question.
He chuckled at her comment of Ezekiel's harem. No worries. Ezekiel has more respect than to start a harem. He just seems to find all the females in need and bring them to my doorstep, he explained with a smile, glad that Reiko hadn't taken the joke so seriously after all.
For a moment Ezekiel was worried that Reiko distrusted him a bit. Had she not understood it was a joke? He shifted uncomfortably for a moment, hoping he hadn't done anything wrong. His slight nudge snapped the young ghost out of her daydream and she introduced herself to Steady. Her words were very polite, and the ranking system with lords and princesses was foreign in this land. If accepted, she hopefully wouldn't have a hard time adjusting. Zeke surely had, but he was glad he joined them once he got over it.
Steady questioned her some more. The basic things, where did you come from and what can you do. Reiko made another comment about the earlier joke, and to Zeke's relief, there was humor in her voice. So he wasn't in trouble. Hot red flushed his cheeks as she teased him a faint smile on his face. He sat up a little taller when Steady spoke to revive his good name. He flashed the male a 'thank man' look, glad that Steady had acknowledged his morals. He sat quietly, waiting for the final word. All the in between wasn't as interesting to him. He just wanted to know the yes or the no of it.
The questions began, the fact that the way she titled individuals by their ranks being different than hers had gone unnoticed - Alpha, King, they were the same to her. Just a different language. The first stung deep, ears drooped and sagged upon her crown as she thought about how to answer that one. "I didn't." She answered simply, and honestly.
"I was banished by the new leader, killed if to return." Realizing how that made her sound; terrible is how it made her sound. Banished, such a terrible word, especially if one was seeking a new home. But lying to make herself sound better was worse in her books. "I don't know why my sister cast me away, and although I miss home, I have no interest in going back." An explanation made it sound less... shocking in her own ears.
"I do realize I would need to start over. An omega is still better than a vagabond with a black mark if she's to go home." She cracked a smile at her final words, making light of the situation just a little so the words wouldn't hang so heavily in the air and taste so foreign on her tongue. At least as an Omega you still had some food from the pack, protection, a home - and the ability to move up from there once pardoned. Reiko doubted she'd be accepted as the lowest of the ranks, but low exceptions allowed for pleasant surprises rather than sour ones.
"I was taught medicine back home, to care for the young despite my own youth. Not to mention I can scream pretty loudly if I spot a trespasser." Chuckling at the final words she spoke, the crystal glaciers of her irises shone brightly in the dark of night. These two were pleasant, she enjoyed being in their presence at the very least.
Ezekiel was patient and smart enough to remind quiet while Steady spoke with Reiko. Steady was the deciding factor, though he didn't reign with an iron fist. Ezekiel could have an influence in Steady's decision, whichever way it wavered.
The female admitted she hadn't though she would need to begin at the bottom. Steady's ears flicked back, uncertain on how he felt about that. One the one paw, it was a plus she was honest. On the other, she need naive on how packs other than her previous one worked. She could cause havoc in a well-established pack by acting above her rank and disrespecting the other wolves.
Steady was quiet as he listened to why she was banished from her previous home. She seem to come to terms quickly with the fact that she would be at the lowest end of the pack ranks. The dark Alpha wondered if she really understood that, or if she just wanted to understand. He had a feeling she didn't know what she was getting herself into. While this was more a relaxed pack, ranks were still respected, and punishments would be harsh if someone disobeyed them.
He was still on the fence when she commented that she was a medic. His serious and considering expression gave way just a bit to soften at her joke. He could understand if she wasn't a fighter who would attack a trespasser, but he would expect her to call for back up. Krypton was their resident caretaker, but Steady knew they could use another.
After a few moments, weighing the pros and cons, Steady spoke. I expect you to learn quickly the hierarchy of the pack, and respect those above you. If you do nothing else, you must do that. While we consider each other family, and ranks aren't upheld in a hostile way, it can quickly turn to that if you don't carry yourself in way that shows others you know where they, and you, stand in this pack, he explained.
His decision made, he smiled to her. Ezekiel can show you around. He's a good example to go from if you're ever unsure on what to do, he said. Welcome to Silvertip Mountain, he added, before turning and heading back into the territory.
Last from me, unless he'll need to say more
Steady weighed his decision, and then spoke. She was in! A smile of almost pride came to Ezekiel's face as Steady gave his friend a quick rundown of her place in the pack. The grey male beamed at his alpha's compliment, saying that he was a good example. This pack had really turned Zeke around, he loved it here. He bowed his head to Steady with gratitude, flat that Reiko was part of the pack now. Steady welcome her and then left, leaving Zeke and his new pack mate to themselves. With a sigh, he turned towards Reiko with a grin.
You're in!
He said, genuinely glad to have her there.
He celebrated with her for a moment, tail wagging excitedly as he rose to his feet.
I guess I'm your mentor now so I'll show you around. You ready?
He asked, prepared to show her around the territory at her say so. He had lots to show her, for Silvertip Mountain had much to offer. Hopefully she'd love it. As much as he'd come to, locust devastation and all.
Last for me! Welcome to the pack!