Lainie was more than happy to follow the male who had fed her. He was nice, too, and that helped— and he had said the pack was nice, as well. She felt a little more clearheaded now that she had eaten a proper meal; hopefully, she wouldn't have to worry about that again. If she was allowed into the pack, surely someone could teach her how to hunt. Maybe Rokig could.
She glanced to him as he spoke, smiling faintly. Yes,
Her gaze ultimately trailed back to the island ahead, though. It would probably be weird, living on an island. But it would be better than starving— better than being alone. Better than crawling back to her uncle, too; Lainie deserved a fresh start, she thought. Away from assholes who couldn't be bothered to notice her existence.
With only a week remaining until their pups are born, the Gampr answers the summons alone. His short-cropped ears press forward, as much as they can, anyway, and he chuffs warmly to greet Rokig as he makes an appearance. Broad paws make little sound on the soft ground. “Hello,” he says simply, looking over the tiny, silver-eyed female who stands beside and just behind Rokig. She is thin and underweight beneath the thick fur, and his golden eyes fill with concern. The recent scent of fish lets him know that she’s at least eaten a little recently, and her actual scent says she is healthy despite needing a meal or two.
“Welcome to Wheeling Gull Isle.” He keeps his voice even and gentle, and crosses the distance to rub shoulders with Rokig. He’d meant to make contact with the Tuttava before now — he and Seelie had discussed how they’ve come to depend on the stocky male — but he figures now is as good a time as any. “I see you’ve met Rokig, Seawolf,” he says, in that instant throwing away the male’s old rank to make room for the new one. It’s a promotion they’ve been meaning to make, and he grins at the tan-eared fisherman with a congratulatory huff.
It was the familiar form of Undersea's Overseer that appeared first. Rokig's tail swayed with a friendly kindness as his shoulder was brushed upon the larger male. The Tuttava respected and trusted Stockholm the same way he did Coelacanth.
The title that suddenly fell from the scarred man's lips caused a rare grin to spread over Rokig's features. Thank you.
His words were calm but the excited glimmer in his eye said it all. But this was not a moment for him. Rokig had brought a visitor with him.
He could not wipe the grin from his features as his Aralez greeted him. It was short lived but he understood exactly why. Lainie was still by his side after all. We met at the river.
He explained as he glanced from Lainie to Stockholm. I expected to bring home fish but it seems that wasn't meant to be.
Not that he regretted running into the girl. He felt the opposite really.
The first to answer the call was an undeniably strange looking man— dog-like, Lainie thought, offering him a shy smile. There was little time to react; as he spoke, another appeared beside him. This time female, heavily pregnant, and beautiful. Her breath caught slightly. She was immediately enamored with the dark woman, averting her gaze to hide the fact. It was easy enough to pose as shy, at least.
She ignored the flush spreading through her ears and cheeks and lowered herself to a bow, tail swishing. Hello,
Lainie offered, directed mostly at the dark woman, though her gaze flitted briefly back to the unfamiliar male. She found herself unsure how to answer the questions, so she nodded mutely to the elegant woman, subconsciously pressing a bit closer to Rokig when she rose from her bow. He was the only familiar in this situation, and the normally bubbly grey girl was far too exhausted to feel anything but overwhelmed.
After a beat, she thought to add: My name is Lainie— I've been alone for... for awhile. I can contribute— help with whatever you need. If you'll have me.
The last sentence held a tinge of desperation; she didn't know what she'd do if they turned her away. Cry, probably.
The Armenian grins at his comrade with a warm rumble of congratulations and stifles a chuckle at the way the little gray female’s breath catches in her throat when she sees Seelie the first time. Yeah. He gets it completely. Take it from him — it really never gets any easier. And he doesn’t say anything, doesn’t make it weird, just introduces her accordingly: “This is Coelacanth, and I’m Stockholm. It’s nice to meet you, Lainie.” Brow furrows with concern when she mentions being alone. “Hey, it’s okay,” he says at the note of desperation in her voice. “You don’t have to be alone anymore. Can stay here, if you want.”