He came upon a copse of harrowed trees with reaching shadows, but they did not look as ominous as he approached. There was a hearty layer of snow hanging in their boughs; a chill in the air that forecast more soon, which he would prefer to avoid. Although the teachings warned against dark forests, Python was unafraid. He was young—inexperienced when it came to the world outside of his tribe—but not as reliant on the stories of old, at least compared to the rest of them. The shadows were incongruous. They were not corporeal, not dangerous to someone with a sharp mind and attentive instincts. As he slunk towards the trees Python found his vague worries evaporating as bravado took over, and he only stopped when a burst of activity in the undergrowth startled him; he paused with a pointed look in the direction of the chaos, watching as a rabbit burst forth and careened away from him—but he did not give chase, only watched.
The beta spent most of his time within the creek's borders, carrying out his duties and spending time by the side of shimmering water - days would go by peacefully, and still his gaze would linger, tracing each curve of a miniscule wave. He kept to himself for the most part, but when invited to converse he would let himself stray closer, offering greetings to the wolves he passed and gifting smiles when necessary; it felt odd, at least to him, but he allowed it. With time, Soltero was sure, he'd get better at all the interaction of a functioning pack - and hopefully, Ruenna would aid him.
She often swayed into his thoughts.
The traveller slowed his steps, chiselled figure coming to a halt and breaths pooling into the frigid sky; for a while he simply watched, concealed by the undergrowth that was surviving winter's chill. He watched as the rabbit startled and buzzed past his position with a flick of hind legs - he watched as the unfamiliar eyes peered in his direction (following the prey's trail?), and only then did he push through, voice gruff but not aggressive. "Can I help you?" The Valento had heard no summoning call... perhaps this stranger was only here to linger, but a burst of protectiveness flooded his chest at such a thought, and he resisted the urge to narrow his gaze.
The elders had used fables to teach about the evils in the world, and then when he got older they became tales shared between the adults as if they were hard and fast truths; couched in realism, twisted to their purpose, naming people from the tribe's history to make things sound real. Yet it wasn't the forest he was afraid of, nor the shadows. Python had not been thinking about the duality of the universe when he departed the tribe — only of the scorn that they held for him, the derision in their voice when they spoke of his long-dead mother, and he'd needed to escape it. Thus, he arrived on the fringe of an unfamiliar territory (perhaps by accident, perhaps by design), and was soon set upon by one of the guards patrolling nearby.
The rabbit's burst of activity was tracked with his sickled ears, but as it dimmed there came another sound - someone approaching, then speaking to him. Python could not read the stranger too well. He looked them over with a sweep of his gaze, glanced towards the vanishing path of the startled rabbit, and back again. There was nothing in Python's history that would prepare him for a moment like this; the tribe was secular, insulated, protective. He thought, suddenly, about what Susannah might do if she were found by an outsider in the wilderness like this — what would her training have demanded of her? A smile unfurls on his sharp snout at the recollection of his sister, but before it locked in to place Python pauses and lets it fade.
I don't think anyone can help me,
he offers, and then counters the cryptic statement with, unless you know where someone can get a bite to eat — or, I dunno, somewhere safe to sleep. Been on the road for a while now.
He wouldn't outright ask for help (especially from any outsider), but he'd play nice... For a while.
Vibrant eyes of grassy hues watched the stranger with caution, tracking his movements for any signs of ill-meaning; one could never be too wary of those unknown to the familiar land of the creek claim, and Soltero intended to defend those within to the best of his ability.
The words registered in his head, and he rolled them over in his mind before attempting to answer - his lack of strength when it came to speech held his tongue firmly locked in place, but he attempted to decipher the most appropriate way to address the situation, and eventually settled with: "Are you looking for somewhere very temporary?"
What kind of question was that? Python's large ears fanned out on either side of his heat, a sign of uncertainty, but he wasn't uncertain about his desires or his needs in the slightest. He wasn't sure what to make of this silver-clad stranger. The boy's brow creased as he frowned — but it didn't last, he gave a small sigh and admitted, No, not a temporary place. I dunno where I'd fit, but I want to fit somewhere.
That sounded far more whimsical than he meant it to, which was frustrating.
Was he going to make a commitment to the first place he stumbled upon? Not likely. Then again, if he had the necessary information to make his own judgement, that could happen.
He watched the stranger for a few long moments as he considered what to do, and added, Look, if you know where I can find something to eat without pissin' anyone off, I'll -- I dunno, trade for it. My skills for whatever food you've got sittin' around.
But then that begged the question - what skills did he have? He didn't need to wait to be asked that, and segued swiftly in to an explanation: I've been scouting around for a while, so I could continue to do that and share information with you and your people, if that's a worthy trade. Or I can replace whatever I eat by huntin' stuff, or... I dunno, do you need a messenger? I can be quick.
They weren't the best assets, but it was all he had. Python wasn't physically strong (as one might tell by his runner's physique) but he could be useful if given the chance. Damn it, he just wanted something to eat.
The stranger appeared confused at Soltero's words, and the beta's chest thrummed in uncertainty - had he said something dumb? He found speaking mildly difficult, and understanding what someone was trying to say could often be tricky; with any hope, he'd not messed up already. Should he call for Constantine?
Resisting the urge to cough awkwardly, the smoky man gave a short nod and forced himself to continue.
"Ah... understood." At least, uh... probably? His ears twitched as he listened to the oncoming explanations and talk of being a messenger, and as he soaked in the words, he corrected himself back into normality and took a silent deep breath, masked by the rush of frigid air.
"...I cannot make the final decision, but I see no reason to send you away, as long as you're willing to work. If the alpha agrees, you can stay here." With that, Soltero tipped back his muzzle and howled for
@Constantine, hoping for a swift arrival so that the regal could take charge. He'd have a better idea of what to do, and the beta was eager to gain tips by observing.
He had been beckoned by Soltero—easily one of their most laid back wolves, aside from Chusi, and the one to recruit the most. The shadow stalked toward the two, his gaze curious as it studied their visitor, while his ears jetted forward, his tail lifting higher. Casting a sideways glance to Soltero, he gave a nod. “And who are you?” He spoke, his eyes lingering once more upon the stranger, his own form stilling as he came to stand by his silver Beta.
The boy sank back upon his bony haunches to wait, but the tip of his whip-like tail twitched with uncertainty and impatience. It seemed like this guy wasn't about to point him in any direction — going so far as to request the presence of an Alpha. That was fine by him if it meant getting something to eat. He could sweet-talk whoever showed up. Python didn't know how other tribes worked outside of his own familial group, and so he was a little bit perplexed when he was made to wait, but he mentally prepared and would say whatever he needed to get what he required.
When a black-furred stranger arrived, prompted by the summons as far as Python could tell, he was careful in his assessment of them. They looked healthy and confident; however, their black fur brought an instant apprehension to Python's awareness that he could not shake. This was something that had been drilled in to him from birth but, if he was going to survive and get fed, he'd have to curtail his views. It wouldn't last forever, he told himself. These were outsiders and they were an ignorant bunch, but they were innocent until proven otherwise — and that thought rivaled everything Python had been taught. That is what made him a heretic in his own right, and a radical of the faith.
Whether the guard introduces him or not, Python goes ahead and addresses the newcomer.
Python. I'm hungry and lonely, and looking for a place to stay.
It might've been pertinent to be more open about himself but that wasn't in his nature. It was a struggle just to focus on the two wolves rather than decide they were both threats and go on with his solitary lifestyle — but being alone would certainly spell his doom, and he wouldn't give his kinfolk (or their devious God) the pleasure of that.
Hope it's okay to skip Soltero to keep this moving, since it's mostly just Constantine and Python conversing?
The male remained reclined—his introduction short, and drawing a lift of Constantine’s wolfish eyebrows. There was little information provided and so the regal gave a small pause, waiting to see if the rogue would offer anything further.
He didn’t. With a small nod, the fiery eyes of the Alpha roved over the wolf who acknowledged his hunger, causing Constantine to consider his options and what he could offer the seemingly otherwise able-bodied wolf.
“Are you looking to stay temporarily or permanently? If it’s temporary, you’ll still need to pull your weight during your time here.”
It seemed like a fair trade - although Python decided he did not like the look of the dark wolf; a by-product of his own upbringing and xenophobia. No matter how well he shirked the rules of the commune nor how swiftly and assuredly he'd gone his own way from the faith, there were some things that he needed to work on. He could not help but feel as those those glimmering eyes within that swarthy face were watching him with darkness in mind. He remained resolute, and did not give away his mental misgivings.
I would stay as long as you'd have me. I can work for it.
He swore he would, at least for a while. It was a good enough trade to the youth, who would rather give freely of his time and energy rather than his spirit.
quick post just to get him fully accepted so you aren’t stuck in limbo any longer!
Okay,
he rumbled, giving a small nod as his gaze briefly darted toward Soltero, who had remained distinctly quiet through the duration of their short conversation. The silver wolf still did not seem comfortable enough to accept liners into their ranks without his agreement, and briefly the dark wolf wondered if it was something he should discuss with the Beta, or if in time he would come into his own confidence in his decision making.
Welcome to the Creek, Python,
the Alpha offered before giving another well meant nod to Soltero, silently indicating he could assist the other to settle in his new home should he require the presence of another. With that, the stocky wolf made his way further along the borders, offering both males space for now.