May 9. Mid-afternoon at Swiftcurrent Creek borders.
@Fox Her forefeet quivered with the excruciating anticipation of a hunter as she placed them delicately while her hind legs stiffened, winding down like springs for either a foolproof or reckless moment that was yet to be determined. There was no countdown to reference. A twitch of an ear, the exaggerated, disquieted raise of its head, but no, not yet, because it was grazing again, oblivious by all appearances. Suddenly she surged forward, taking the creature by utter surprise. It dashed in the direction of its burrow, right into the impending jaws of a trim tawny wolf with predatory yellow eyes, whose neck lashed like a viper to snare the supremely fat rabbit in his unyielding grasp before properly pinning the struggling animal with one large paw and finishing it in a flash of gleaming teeth. When it went limp, he tossed it to his companion and they were on their way.
That afternoon was preceded by humidity and the smell of rain, though the amassed dark clouds only loomed threateningly low over the pair of lone wolves as they drew near to their destination. Pointed glances and visual cues were exchanged between them, but few words were required to get their intents across and to volley them back at one another. It was a shining demonstration of the natural rapport that had developed and progressed in close to a year spent travelling together. It was curious then, should their attempt be successful to join the pack who claimed the territory they now pursued, that few wolves would see them together from then on. Their partnership had been born of necessity, and on the surface only went on now because of convenience.
I'll be posting each character's response separately during each round.
Before long the sky opened up and rain began to pour without warning. Swiftly ducking under the boughs of underbrush in her immediate proximity, Serengeti stashed their kill on a chance rack of gnarled roots that jutted up from the ground, roots that belonged to an stately tree that would have sheltered nearly everything at its base had it been in full-leaf. The tree instead acted a bit like a sieve, but it was far more effective than no cover at all, as upheld by the following: although Razo was about four seconds in darting in behind her, he was sopping to the point of carrying water-weight which seeped freely from his fur as he sat to wait out the torrential rain, but not before shaking it out with unapologetic vigour and splattering everything—including a slightly irritated Ren—with the excess. It always rains when I go out for an interview,
he growled dryly.
Within minutes the erratic precipitation abated and merely drizzled faintly and happily on their sodden heads when they emerged. The pallid siren whisked the damp carcass from its stowing place and joined the rugged male in locating the border he’d informed her of earlier in the day.
When he detected the scent a second time and faint on the breeze, he stopped abruptly and well off from the actual markings to loose a pithy, guttural howl as a request for the presence of the pack's leader. Ren sat reposeful, but her ears twitched, relentlessly attentive, while Razo paced languidly like a jungle cat selecting a napping place. He intended on no such thing, however.
jace upped his ante on the border patrol as Njal had told him to do. He had a deep seated respect for the warden of the creek and he did not wish to disobey him. As luck would have it for him the last two days he came upon yet another wolf actually two wolves ready to be accepted into their ranks. Tail lifted high above his back to show that he was a ranked wolf and they best understand he stood tall and stalwart looking at the new recruit (or recruits)
Jace let out a warning growl as the other wolf was awful close to their borders he did not wish them to cross them. What brings you to the beginning of Swiftcurrent Creek friends?
The unfamiliar howl was grating to the young leader's ears, if only because she was exhausted. Fox had not really had a good amount of rest since Bones had been taken away. She missed the lull that they had been going through, but she knew that because the pack was growing, there were more things that could go wrong. Swiftcurrent was now a massive threat to their neighbors, meaning they were a more likely target to be hit with raids or whatever else their nearby packs wished to torture them with. Fox knew that she would not be able to do it alone for much longer, and she had been watchful of the potentials that arose in her ranks.
Loping begrudgingly to the epicenter of the call, Fox spotted Jace, and, surprisingly, two wolves at their doorstep. Assertive, but not aggressive, Fox approached them. It was clear by the variety of scents on the creek that it was a strong and healthy pack. “Since I know that you,” she said, directing her words at both of the loners, “will likely tell me that you are good at hunting, guarding, and exploring, we can skip past that.” Fox had done this enough times now to know what to expect, and those skills were not what she was looking for.
“Do either of you know anything of healing and taking care of others in general?” That was what the creek needed most right now, and it would guarantee at least one of them a haven if that was the case. If both of them knew, then Fox had just hit the wolf-equivalent of a jackpot.
Ren’s vigilant ears swept to front-face as a young, strapping black male approached directly from the opposite side of the borders. She scrutinized him thoroughly, determining whether or not he was the leader they’d called to or a patroller who’d happened to be in the area. His scent was the primary giveaway, but his stance, although certainly effective in exuding dominance, also effectively reflected his place and lacked the condition of demonstrating the uppermost ranks. The northern furred female did not rise from her seated position in order to save him the trouble of getting his back up and provoking wariness, but showed her respectful submission.
We were hoping you’d have room for two. In exchange, we’re young, strong and capable. We’ll earn our place,
she promised, then indicated quod erat demonstrandum, the rabbit at her feet with a motion of her tapered muzzle.
The three of them were joined by a fourth far more quickly than Ren initially had any reason to expect. In fact, the small wolf approaching now had probably caught the tail-end of their given reason for being there and so it wouldn’t be necessary to repeat herself if she hadn’t already surmised the reason anyway. What she said first evoked a very subtle and highly suppressed half-grin and a side-long glance towards Razo, imagining his thoughts on the executive decision to cut the bullshit, but what was said next got her steady, serious attention.
I was once an heir,
she began to brief, hoping to be able to keep the explanation of her past succinct, at least for the moment, something that had the potential to aptly align with the agenda of the alpha female. Whatever else Fox was or might be, Ren liked her style. The well-being of the pack is the shared responsibility of everyone, but I was charged with ensuring and maintaining it.
With that she leaned forward and gently tossed their kill at the leader's feet in offering, then allowed Razo the floor.
Razo took only leisurely notice of Jace when he met them. He found it curious (though entirely uninteresting) that the swarthy male would issue a warning growl and still proceed to refer to them as “friends”. He sat, which cut a portion of his imposing height, and dropped his various bits of body in submission as he casually allowed Ren to field the question.
Fox’s arrival on the other hand prompted much more of his attention. She was very small and very young, and very clearly the opposite of literally every other alpha he had ever met. Just how did she manage to remain at the tip-top when she could barely reach it? The answer must have been loyalty, and it amounted to approximately zero sense. But he listened to her, actually processing the words and found himself encompassed because he just couldn’t make things out. He registered Ren’s brief gaze, but although he thought the thoughts she thought he did, he concealed it wholly.
Actually, he’d been about to say nothing of the kind. The little vixen must have had a few idiots on her borders recently because the tasks she named off were contributed to by all wolves in a pack implicitly. Even those who were mediocre hunters, for whatever reason, were useful and had appropriate roles in the hunt. But no one needed to claim being a good hunter as if that was what might seal the deal to their entry. In any case, Razo was happy to skip whatever dull formalities the tiny alpha desired.
Healing, yes,
he said, a glint of characteristic cheek smouldering cheerfully in his eyes. I’m Dr. Razo Redefin. What seems to be the problem?
Actually, if she really wanted to play “Doctor”...
Jace listened but he no longer spoke he stood silently behind Fox watching and keeping tabs on the two wolves. He growled slightly when the male wolf was cheeky to Fox, but other than that he kept quiet and unfazed just standing and watching.
he took the time to study both in turn. The female the heir she had called herself she was white like Bazi, though she was long and lithe with graceful proportions he'd be willing to bet she was a good hunter and she might make a good outrider with her fleet step. The male on the other hand was much the same except he was a bit more up in your face he didn't know how he would handle him. He seemed to be sarcastic and witty and cheeky Jace didn't much like that too much mostly because he was far too serious for his own good.
While those weren't exactly the answers she was looking for, they were good enough and less bland than many of the others she had heard. Besides, they looked young, and they seemed to understand that they would have to earn their place here. The male's remark didn't affect the leader negatively, and she flashed him a grin in response, though she did not answer his rhetorical question. Fox had once been known for her snotty attitude, so she could always appreciate a side of sarcasm. In addition, he could become a potential for next year's breeding season, and Fox wanted to have a good crop of them to choose from. She would be picky. Then again, he had arrived here with a female, which begged another question.
“Are you two together?” she asked, flashing a glance to each one of them. Tuwawi and Njal did not need competition for their young, and Fox did not want to risk the chance of another litter waltzing into the creek. Even if the female wasn't showing, it was possible she was carrying quite a load with her.
So sorry for the wait, you two. I appreciate you. <3
She watched shrewdly as the dark male was put on edge by her companion’s manner of response. Serengeti didn’t exactly begrudge him, but if he thought such a tame Razo warranted an indignant huff he was certainly in for some riling later. One of her very childish guilty-pleasures was watching everyone else’s reaction to the tawny stray, and she found she couldn’t repress a grin of her own. She had his scruffy back in any serious fracas, but he was more than capable of handling himself even then. A Redefin, she had learned, had inexplicable flair for getting in and out of trouble.
Her attention shifted back to catch Fox’s pointed glance before they were both grilled on a common though applicable question that was only ever asked by those who knew nothing about them. We’re not mated,
she replied, matter-of-fact. There was really nothing more to say about it.
Razo largely ignored a disgruntled Jace because he stood to be ignored, hanging back the way he was and rightfully allowing his leader to call the shots. Until he had something relevant to add to the discussion, that was where he would concurrently remain in Razo’s mind. Fox, however, cut a little ice with him and received a conspiratorial gleam of his eyes. Possibly he would find her agreeable.
Ren went for an on-the-nose answer to the leader’s subsequent question, while he nearly always had more to say about anything. She didn’t even speak to me till I saved her skin,
he answered gruffly, sly-eyed and teasing, tossing a glance over at his travelling partner. He might have gone snarky, but he had a firmly-rooted respect for her that he’d never wanted to allow to begin with. She got in the way of his fancy-free lifestyle, but she’d stuck with him when no one else ever had, even when he’d told her to bugger off, essentially.
Jace listened to fox and her question was a good one. It would be good to know if the female potential carried pups as he was certain Tuwawi was about to have some. The comment from the male the second time earned a small crooked smile that lit up his blue eyes. He could appreciate humor at times, he was just a more serious wolf by nature than most.
He couldn't really help it given his history and his personality, but he did his best t otry and laugh at some things.
Gonna close this one out so you aren't stuck in joining limbo any longer. :)
The white female's response was all Fox needed, but the red one chimed in again with his sass. Fox was, for once, curious about their history together, if only because two wolves did not usually join together (from her experience), let alone opposite-sex ones who did not seem to be related. But histories could be divulged at a later time. Without warning, Fox stepped forward and brushed herself up against each one of the new recruits.
“Red one, whatever your name is, I want you to find our expectant mother and see to it that she is doing well. As for you...” Fox trailed off, her gaze falling on the female,
“I want you to seek out a wolf named Ferdie. I fear he lacks proper etiquette from time to time, and I haven’t the patience to deal with it. Be gentle with him.” Ferdie's distantness had not gone unnoticed by the leader, but she was hardly the right fit to talk to him about it. She was far too brash and not nearly understanding enough.
With their duties handed to them, Fox stepped back and allowed them any last words.
She rolled her eyes at Razo, but paused to study something else for an instant. Now that Jace had actually cracked a grin, she'd noticed his eyes were a charged, shocking blue. Her icy green gaze settled on him approvingly, though briefly. Maybe the two males would get on alright after all. However, she knew Razo, and she knew he was being benign as he was capable. It was only vaguely possible that she had actually managed to affect him over the past several months, as much as he had in turn affected her, but it was still possible, nevertheless.
Apparently she was now equipped with a leader, because Fox strode forth and bestowed them both with the scent of herself and the Creek and proceeded to issue tasks, fumbling nonchalantly with their names. Serengeti,
she said promptly to fill in the blank space for her alpha after accepting her particular task with a nod. And I have just one question: what’s your name?
The rest she would pull together on her own.
Fox must have thought she was a superb judge of character to have given him such a delicate undertaking when she had only just then accepted him, but he intended to take it and run with it rather than mull over the weight of trust associated with it as someone else might. She didn’t so much as remember his name, for Christ’s sake. That too was acknowledged and quickly tossed aside, although he might think to needle her about it later. For now, he was restless, on his toes and ready to be off, just as soon as she answered Ren’s question.
Jace stepped forward and spoke quickly and softly I can take you to Ferdie and to Tuwawi if you would like me too. He was protective of both the wolves and he wanted to make sure the newcomers got along with them before he left them to it. He worried deeply for Ferdie as the brute was vastly different and quickly declining as of late. In a way this was Fox's fault for never showing Ferdie the praise he needed, However Ferdie was not a child and he should not have to have praise all the time.
Both of them were anger driven wolves, but he found he was handling his infliction much better than ferdie at least of late. He hadn't realized fox hadn't told them her name, but he kept that nugget of information to himself if she wanted them to know her name she would tell them herself.
“Fox,” she replied. Short, simple, and to the point. It was what worked for the young leader, and she saw no need to change her behavior. With the two new recruits being handled by Jace, who offered to take them to their respective projects, Fox sniffed at the rabbit that had been thrown to her prior. Deeming it fit to consume, she picked it up in her jowls and proceeded to take it back to her den.
Since earning her title (or rather, happening upon it), Fox had been showered with a good number of edible gifts. She had grown quite fond of them, and she'd grown round in the stomach. Once the colder months rolled around, she was sure to shed this weight, but for now she held onto it. A fat wolf was a happy wolf. Fanning her ears backward, Fox listened for any remaining tidbits as she trotted off toward her den, eager to chow down on the gift.
Posting from my phone, so brace yoselves. Danni, would you care to get another thread started for us? :)
Fox. How thoroughly apt. Ren flashed her a smile as she picked up the rabbit and let her be on her way, at which point she turned back to Jace who had offered to guide them. I'll certainly take you up on that,
she accepted graciously, gesturing with her nose that she was ready and would be right beside him as soon as he decided to leave. No matter what, she would have wanted someone else there when she met Ferdie. Observing him with someone he knew would be far more effective than a stranger introducing herself to him and trying to get in his head on nothing to go by.
When Fox answered he let a grin slowly creep across his muzzle. Whoever had named her had been incredibly on-target. And incredibly obvious in their thinking. He didn't even turn his attention back to Jace, but blatantly watched the leader leave. His eyes lingered, gazing languidly when he finally responded to the offer. Nah,
he drawled carelessly, Thanks for the name, though.
He didn't bother giving any reason for declining. Before Jace could object he tossed his gaze in another direction and freely loped away as though he'd been caged for weeks, shedding all company and buying a little time for himself.
Jace frowned at the male loping off and he silently swore a terrible pain to the male if he hurt Tuwawi in anyway whether it be emotional or not. She was more than capable of taking care of herself and her mate was the warrior and warden of the creek, but Jace also had a soft spot for her and would not allow anyone to hurt her or the pups that grew while he held breath in his body.
He offered the female Serengeti a smile and dipped his head Ferdie is this way mam. Long strides ate up the ground as he turned looking once to make sure she was near and following and he headed towards the center of the pack land.
She watched Razo cut loose without any indication of surprise or chagrin—she had known very well even as the words were said that he was not about to accept the hand-holding that Jace had suggested imposing. The knave she called her friend had very clear limits and she was aware of the vast majority of them. She casually noted the glower darkening the swarthy male’s features, though he soon lightened up and turned his attention to her and the hunt for their pack mate.
He needn’t have looked back to ensure she was still with him once they got going. The lithe female was just coming up on his left shoulder, which was where she intended to stay until they successfully caught up with Ferdie. Speaking of whom, she had absolutely no idea what sort of lack in etiquette Fox had been referring to, though maybe Jace would be able to fill her in on the way.