@Mato set after the eclipse! Hoping for some Grandpa x Grandson bonding <3 (and perhaps I could use this thread for Burke's mentor mastery!)
Burke was looking for Mato. The older male had some important questions to be asked. He liked the idea that he could become a mentor for his grandson. He always liked being a mentor. He had some great lessons in life and could help the younger wolves with his knowledge. That was Burke's mindset. He was really starting to thrive in these new surroundings. At Redhawk, he talked to Malice about his death and what he liked after he died. Yet, ever since coming here he found a new purpose. He couldn't die! He needed to help his grandson, obviously.
The male let out a howl, it wasn't a summoning howl, but more of a 'where-are-you-located?' kind of howl. He hoped to ask about the defense of this pack and how strangers should be met. He also wanted to know about what food was preferable to catch, not that he would hunt with the pack, but he liked to know these things. Perhaps, they could have a verbal spar. He just liked to pick his grandson's mind. he seemed far better than Sebastian. Maybe his good genes skipped a generation. It could be entirely possible.
Burke intended to come to Mato but it seemed his howl had summoned his grandson. The older male was kind of pleased about it. He just had traveled miles and his body needed to recover. He had some muscle aches but he wanted to hide that from his grandson. He didn't want to be useless. He was not useless. Burke was keen on proving himself and helping out. He saw more of himself in his grandson than in his own son. Curiously enough, since their mother was one Goody Two Shoes in his eyes. He wasn't telling Mato that either.
"We are settling in well. At least I am, with women, you never know what they think," he tried to joke lightly. Burke joking. Man, he was in a good mood. The male wiggled his docked tail, giving him even more of a square build.
"The reason I called is that I'd like to help. I know you are new to managing a pack. I have managed several packs in my prime and all were different. So if you like my help and advice, you have it. I'd like to think it keeps me sharp as well," he stated. At Redhawk, there was an established leadership that didn't trust him. He didn't feel like they deserved or wanted his help. He really had dulled down in his time there but now the fire was back in his pale blue eyes.
<3
Burke was extremely pleased with Mato. What he didn't find in his own son he found within his grandson. He was far more eager to help and mentor him. His words were respectful which was always a good thing to make Burke more friendly. He was glad that his grandson showed some Rochester potential. Burke returned a firm and respectful nod to Mato. Since his grandson was mature and respectful he had no problem serving under his rule.
"Naturally," he spoke in return. It was logical that the leader wanted to focus on his own pack first. "Though, it is important to know your standing and how you want your pack to respond to loners and other pack wolves. It must be communicated to all the members so you are one united front," he explained. Especially with all these wolves newly put together. Then Mato would be focussing on his own pack since to him it seemed vital to respond to everyone the same.
"I think it depends on the pack. I served the brotherhood for a long time. We had no alliances with other packs for most of the time. There was a brief period when we did but it ended in a disaster. The brotherhood living in Blackfeather Woods was mostly self-sufficient because they were big in numbers. Often we had 12 loyal adults protecting, attacking and defending. All for their queen. Hence why that pack could afford not having an alliance," he explained calmly to Mato.
"When you look at your father's pack, it is all very different. They were friendly to others, they let strangers in their ranks. There wasn't a defined assertive leadership. When I arrived at Broken Antler, there were hardly any loyal members. It was just your parents and their four kids. You need your members to stand behind you, and I believe some currently do that. I have not met all of them to speak for most of the group. However, due to the friendly nature of Sebastian's pack, he had alliances with the Caldera folk. They did take everyone in while we were all sick of poison. We lived because your father had been respectful and a good bond with a pack close by."
Burke wanted to sketch two pictures for his grandson. As both packs were different they also treated other packs in their own way. "We currently have 7 adults, however, of those adults I am elder and can only advise and protect when I can. That makes 6 abled bodies that could protect, but if one gets injured or some aren't loyal, you are left with fewer adults. So, in your case, I think it would be best if we could keep friendly with one pack at least. And I should say only one. Do not be friends with everyone, then you are serving other packs more than your own. It is easier to maintain an alliance if you can focus on one pack. But you must keep in mind that sometimes other wolves don't keep their promises. Plus you need to think what kind of pack Tindómë will be. To be associated with a pack with the same values an alliance is more likely to succeed."
Burke didn't want this pack to be overly friendly, but also not as paranoid as the brotherhood. But he knew it wasn't his decision, he could only guide his grandson. "You must make sure your members stay loyal to you. That is the most important thing before forging bonds with other packs though. For now, to give you some time to think about Tindómë and its politics, you can send out a scout to look for packs in the area. The scout should be neutral, gathering information and their philosophies. The information that is gathered about each pack can be useful for deciding which pack you want to be associated with," he advised and ended with a firm nod. Perhaps it had been a bit of an information overload, but Burke was confident Mato was smart enough to understand it all. "Do you have someone in mind to be a scout?"
Burke slowly nodded in reply to Mato. The Caldera had been their survival but once times turned bad they hadn't been as friendly towards him. Then again, he sort of let them take some of the food away from him. He had not been himself. Before he would never allow anyone to take his food but after his illness, he had grown weak. Burke was confident things were going to change now.
The older male saw the hesitation in his grandson's eyes. He took no disrespect in Mato's correction. Burke lifted his muzzle a bit. "Then I'd say we try to be as self-sufficient as possible so we do not need to rely on others. This pack does focus on trades so make sure your middle ranks are well-balanced in trades and skills," he spoke to his grandson. He wanted to be of help and it seemed that Mato was leaning more towards being a pack without allies.
"If you don't know who is your scout I'd suggest you find out who liked to pick up that trade. As the leader of this pack, you need to know the skills of your members so you know of what skill you need more," Burke spoke with a quick nod. "To survive infancy we need hunters and guardians. Also make sure to tell your members if we should be welcoming towards strangers or not," he added. Something else for Mato to think about.
sorry for this smol, crappy post. :-(
Mato’s ears slick back to rest at half mast atop his skull as Burke corrects him in his thinking in regards to guarding. Even so, it involves the knowledge of how to fight for how can one protect his own claim if he cannot fight? There would be nothing to stop another from waltzing right in; or so this is how Mato thinks, anyway ( even if it’s wrong ). Still, he offers his grandfather a respectful hum, acknowledging his words and wisdom. Mato leads the way at Burke’s confirmation and is sure to keep his pace even and mindful enough as to not tire out the eldest Rochester. There is a flicker of the Morwinyon’s ear and a slight tense of his lips as Burke offers him a long winded way of saying ‘no’. He half has a mind to inform his grandfather that, last of Mato’s knowledge, they’d been in Northstar Vale but as he hadn’t told Sebastian about Nova he holds his silence with Burke and the boys. It’s not his place and Burke didn’t strike the empyrean as all too worried.