Wolf RPG

The day had been pleasantly calm among the rolling hills of Swiftcurrent's territory. Often times it was a serene place... an Eden amongst the vast Rising Sun Valley nestled East of a mountain range. Fox's territory was made up of equal parts grassy knolls and forested scrim which was habituated by copious prey and lush vegetation. It was a place worth protecting... worth fighting for despite the abandonment of its signature Beta, Jinx. The memory of the imposing specter still drifted in Tuwawi's mind, but never did she expect to scent the misty aroma so close to their borders.

Tuwawi was on patrol when the essence of a wolf from the West reached her attention. It was familiar. Silvertip had once been her own home under the command of Tartok's Alpha, Tonravik. Now, in thanks to the dutiful scouting of Swiftcurrent's best, it was discovered that the land had been claimed by the ambitious Kesuk. The pungent musk of mountain and Mambo was soured upon Tuwawi's leather, and her nares flared at the slightest whiff of the rival pack.

The fact that this scent came from the East did not help its cause. Duck lake had seen its fair share of visitors recently, and this fact agitated Tuwawi. It was a body of water within close proximity — practically on the precipice — of the creek and it acted as important resource to the wolves who called this place home. Prime hunting grounds teemed with life, and to think that their rivals and enemies loitered so nonchalantly was reason enough to defend it, especially from those of established packs. They could tolerate a passerby now and then... but first the Vale and now Silvertip?

A statement had to be made.

At this thought, the Sveijarn set out to intercept the vagrants and once again secure the lakeside purchase in Swiftcurrent's defense. As she cleared the treeline, three wolves of distinct color and origin came into view. Tuwawi perceptively levied the situation. Bazi, kin to the creek, appeared to be mitigating the others. The obsidian woman was of unknown origin, and the dusky one was undoubtedly apart of Jinx's crew. Immediately Tuwawi broke into a canter, lofty posture and bristled mane demanding authority upon her hot approach. Only a few moments passed before she intercepted their circle of conversation, unabashed as she broke it without consent.

Roughly, Tuwawi brushed against her pack mate's damp shoulder. A sooty tail waved stiffly in an uneven cadence as her expression became the antithesis of Bazi's more genial visage. "You wander too close to Swiftcurrent," Tuwawi's assertive voice rumbled a warning from her lowest chords as she addressed the two strangers, attention especially fixated on the Silvertip wolf. Stiff limbs planted the cardinal streaked woman fixedly and it was obvious, by the strong body language and crass tone, that Tuwawi wanted them begone.

Fear was a permeable scent not easily hindered by invented masks of confidence or bravery, and even though the two migrant women feigned composure, it was clear their resolve had been shaken. Trepidation ousted their bluff with unmistakable signals, such as a subtly bending ear or an uncomfortable shift, as they began to fold under the intense stare of the haematic Sveijarn. Her want, her need, to chase and expunge these outcasts was great, but the soft touch of her gentler kin quelled the need to do so immediately. It offered a brief respite from the dominant woman's threat, though her tail lashed wildly in protest. In spite of her desires, the fireblood would not undermine her comrade's penchant for civility, but rather assist it to unearth the true nature of the canids who so heedlessly skulked near Swiftcurrent's base.

Bazi began the official interrogation, though her accent was apologetic as if to preserve the objective nature required by an Outrider. Despite the calm delivery of her queries, the Silvertip wolf became visibly upset. It was obvious she felt slighted as vivid expressions of indigence and anguish creased her sepia features; ugly emotions befitting such an ignorant woman. The facts remained: she ran with Silvertip and dared to wander close to her rival's borders. To think she could stray without contest was unimaginable to the creek's Iota... a wolf of even basic sense would know wiser.

As if to perpetuate this already unflattering opinion, the mountain wolf spouted a poignant address. Unfortunately, her words were inconsequential to the unblinking Tuwawi, who felt unmoved by such a paltry speech. Even the final claim of Jinx's detestation for Swiftcurrent fell on deaf ears, and for the first time Tuwawi pitied the blooming alpha who appeared to endure such insufferable company. Bazi had it on the nose... The Mambo had never tolerated such insolence as Swiftcurrent's Beta, and it was known this trend continued within her new mountain claim. Truly, Jinx would be disappointed if her previous pack mates undid all the work she had crafted, and now it was up to Njal, Bazi, Ferdie, Jace, and Tuwawi to sustain these high standards set by the seaborn Kesuk. Regardless, this careless accusation would be reported to Fox.

A toothy, ornery sneer was all Tuwawi expressed when Lunar abruptly turned to leave the lakeside, happy to have abolished one of the strays. She looked to the dark waif now, vermilion shoulders rolling as her patience began to wane. This one was slower to become heated, which offered a moment to scrutinize her figure. Slender cheeks and luminous ochre eyes were the only redeeming qualities buried beneath a horrifically gaunt body and half disfigured head. Velvety onyx hair hung limply across her skeletal frame, and the ember wondered if disease was what blighted this ghostly jetsam. Even if she had shown the slightest interest to join their ranks, Tuwawi would have opposed it. Swiftcurrent needed strong, able bodies... not half-starved hounds to leech off their resources. Recently (by some unchecked passion for mercy) they had accepted a young, emaciated, handicapped half-yearling... and that alone was enough to cause unrest within the expectant mother. Two infirm wolves would be double the maintenance.

Though, at least this one still had all her senses intact and could probably hunt.

Thankfully, this unfortunate beast had no intention to apply for a rank within the valley pack. Without any cause to allow this specter to linger a moment longer, Tuwawi took an intrepid step towards Erika, past Bazi's position. Her tattered lips peeled away to unsheathe rows of sharp fangs. "No, you are not," her voice quaked pointedly as every muscle became spring-loaded, prepared to give chase should this wolf choose to not depart by her own free will. "Leave. Now." were the final commands; supremely resolute in their diction.

No second chance would be offered.

It was unlucky for Erika, whose status and condition posed little threat to the healthy Creek pack, that the Silvertip recruit casually lingered with little regard for the implications of her nearness. As a result, the half-face had become a victim of Tuwawi's tirade, who had been keen on eradicating any and all threats from the surrounding locale. The ire she felt was difficult to smother once present, incited by the distinct flavor of exotic alpine upon the breeze, and it made Tuwawi tenacious in her conquest. Perhaps if the situation had been different, the cardinal Sveijarn would have been more accommodating towards the lone wolf's plight... but of course, this had not been the case.

Bazi selflessly abandoned the fragile link she had formed with these wolves to support her companion's endeavors. Eloquence was the weapon of choice for the pale Outrider, words emphasizing the physicality Tuwawi projected. Swiftly, the Swiftcurrent pair left no alternatives for Erika to advance, unaware of her intentions to pray fealty to the mountain alpha. As a result, no challenge was issued by the swarthy wolf, who instead resigned to depart with only a vexed look of sincere displeasure. Many moments passed in silence as they watched her disappear into the horizon, and only when the black speck became impossible to recognize did Tuwawi come down from her heightened mood.

Slowly the adrenaline ebbed away as her tangled hair draped haphazardly across its fire-brushed spine. Tuwawi's body visibly relaxed, jaw loosening, while she exhaled to diffuse the remaining tension wrought within herself. A simple lick across the leather of her nose was the final calming signal, before she turned to Bazi to meet her partner's clear gaze. There was no remorse in those tempestuous silver eyes — the Sveijarn did not regret the actions she had committed, and though Bazi supported her behavior, she could not tell if the yearling truly condoned it. A few swaggering steps brought the women together once more, and Tuwawi forcibly pushed her muzzle into Bazi's mane to coarsely rake through lakewater hair. It was an affectionate gesture, though perhaps too rough... but the moment called for it.

The pleasing bouquet of fresh water cause her to linger at Bazi's side as Tuwawi's weight leaned into the more slender wolf. A quiet and contemplative look shrouded her features, now.... deeper thoughts spurred by the encounter. Many things swam in her mind.

"Mm, my sister," she hummed, reciting what Bazi had named her. The women of the creek seemed to share a unique bond, nearly equal to relatives of blood. "I could not let them stray so close," she said as she began to offer some insight into her motives. "The pack... this season... the Vale and Silvertip are rivals. They need not wander so far from their claims... so near to our home." Tuwawi's thoughts were gruff and malformed, though the phrase this season hinted at her true objective. Within the month she would not be able to defend their lands so adeptly. Other responsibilities would soon become priority.

Perhaps it was natural to feel a special closeness with the women in a tribe, united by both the woes and advantages of the female gender. She shared the same relationship with Fox, who had become a fast friend and trusted leader as the spearhead in Swiftcurrent. Even young Bones had a certain draw that was both fascinating and compelling. Maybe it was Tuwawi's status as eldest woman (dare she say matriarch?) that made her feel this way, driven by instincts to establish solid connections. On the other hand, Ferdie and Jace were good men, but her opinion of them was not the same... not like her sisters. It was not an especially pragmatic trope, but one that was distinct.

Every touch reinvigorated their relationship and welded the unlikely sisters of the creek closer together. These bonds were important to Tuwawi who yearned for strong familial links within the pack despite her gruff, wildling nature. Almost a year of ceaseless travel had exhausted her physically and mentally, and the many crumbling packs left a great void of draining disappointment. Yet the past two months had been a blessing of stability and Tuwawi would be damned to see it shaken. Her undying propensity to protect Swiftcurrent was righteous, however selfish. And now, as a woman with child, her tolerance for any hazard or menace was nonexistent.

Eight? Tuwawi pondered as she rooted around in Bazi's fur, not knowing what she counted for, though it became clear as it was explained. The Sveijarn listened how the Outrider had hoped to obtain some nugget of information from the dusky Silvertip female. "That one is a fool. Jinx will ruin her," Tuwawi snarked, unimpressed by the sheer lack of emotional restraint and territory know-how. At the very least, she had left without too much of a fuss. "I doubt what she said about Jinx is true. Swiftcurrent has done nothing to warrant it," the ember said with a huff, "Kesuks are different... not so.... shallow.... But we should tell Fox all the same."

The Sveijarn lifted her weight off Bazi and eeked away, though the gap between them remained small. At the mention of Xi'Nuata, her red hair spiked and dotted brows narrowed pensively in a clear a look of begrudged agreement. What Bazi said was true. The creek was just a patch of land smack dab in the middle of rising sun valley. It was not the Vale. Nor the Plateau. Nor the Ridge. Nor the Mountain... any could easily cross a scent mark if they chose, unhindered by the Earth's flat shape. The water drew visitors, too... both the good and the unsavory.

"So am I," she concurred, though nothing else was added. How could they better secure their claim? "We must be firm," was the only suggestion. The pack could be aloof at times, and if they truly wanted to keep intruders at bay then it was necessary to make it clear no wolf could come near their borders without consequence. Tuwawi sighed, a bit frustrated by the trivial thoughts. "Come... let us find Fox," she suggested as she turned to look back in the direction of the creek, eager to leave the lakefront in favor of their comfortable home.