Wolf RPG

Eli's joining thread for Swiftcurrent Creek! He's nearby, but not on top of their borders yet. :) @Bazi

Dark ears perked curiously atop the fierce predator's head. His body was low to the ground – hidden in the tall grass that swayed with the slight breeze. Blue eyes were glued to the obnoxiously loud birds that floated calmly on the water's surface.
Elijah kept telling himself that he wasn't starving right now... ignoring the rebellious growls from his stomach. He knew that didn't have a chance catching a duck when he didn't have the element of surprise. The stretch ahead of him was too open, and he knew from experience that wasting his energy wasn't good.
But Elijah also had the temperament of a pup ready to play. The restless itch in his paws was too much for him to handle. Instead of bolting forward, however, his lips parted in a low whine with ears pressed back. The ducks squawked in complaint, some jumping from their spot closest to him to land peacefully a safe distance away. He leaned up, sitting with a childish pout on his lips.

Swiftcurrent Creek's population rarely dipped below seventeen, and more often than not it was full to bursting. To stand at the head of twenty wolves was a source of pride and nervousness in equal parts for Bazi, whose family pack had not been half that size. The threat of overthrowal by a particularly ambitious upstart was never far from her mind, and she scrutinized each new applicant from all sorts of angles. Are they stronger than me? Prettier? Will they lure Scimitar away? Are they healthy? Sociable? The list went on, and she was less lenient the bigger the pack became.

The sheer size of the pack made her less concerned to find a strange wolf frolicking crouching in the grass near Duck Lake. In a past life, she might have summoned a small group to chase him off, but today she only watched to see what the creature would do. He was as young as she had been on that first night as a Swiftcurrent wolf, but his broad, stocky build made him look older. Bazi guessed two, possibly three - it was difficult to tell from her hiding place near the trees, partially disguised by the white aspen that grew near the water's edge. In the summer, it was the only background that allowed her to blend in.

Much to Bazi's dismay, a wayward gust of wind chose that exact moment to steal through the trees. It sampled her scent and carried it - along with the whispered fragments of an irritated sigh - right into the duck hunter's nose.

The determination to currently sit and sulk near the water's edge like a pup that had been sent to a corner after doing something he shouldn't was strong. He hadn't anything else to do – or so he decided. His mother's words that he should find a place for himself to belong amongst another pack was shoved to the back of his mind... mostly because he had yet to interact much with any of the locals. He'd come across a pack scent or two, but instinct made him avoid treading too close. After all, whose to know if they weren't a pack of cannibals there trying to eat him alive?!
So boring things such as reasonable responsibilities and, I don't know, surviving, were left in a tiny corner in Eli's mind for now. The wind, however, changed – blowing against his back and carrying a scent his way... one of a wolf. They were nearby, belonging to a pack he assumed, too. He glanced over his shoulder, eyes suddenly alight with excitement as his posture automatically went neutral – if not a touch submissive. Tail batted behind him and Eli stood up.
“Hello?”

The silver male had gotten up this morning hungry and decided to grab some ducks to eat. They were easy to catch and it didn't waste too much energy catching them although the hunt would probably get him wet. That didn't matter to him that much, as long as there would be food, getting wet was not something that he had to fuss about. So the dark platinum male went out, trotting towards the direction of Duck Lake.

As he got closer, he noticed someone out there, actually two someones. He slowed his pace, noticing someone familiar hiding near the trees. Someone with a white pelt, was it the new Alphess? Crouching down slightly, he made his way towards her until he was positioned beside her. His gaze on the male beside the lake. "Hello?" the stranger had turned to look over his shoulder.

Quickly, Shadow started analyzing the wolf. He was young but his stocky build made him look older than he was. His fur blended in colors ranging from milky creams to honey brown and when he looked over his shoulder, he saw that the youthful stranger's eyes were bright blue.

The ashen male waited to see what Bazi would do.

"Hello?"

Shit, Bazi thought to herself, but rose to her feet all the same. How would she deal with this? Nice or threatening? Strong leader or mean leader? She had occupied top spot for all of five minutes, and hadn't yet settled on a consistent style for this particular sort of interaction. If she wasn't friendly, would it make her enemies? If she was kind (which often went hand-in-hand with awkward), would she paint the pack in a poor light?

Luckily, Shadow chose that moment to appear at her side. Numbers automatically projected strength, which meant she would not need to make up for her small stature in front of this wolf. "Come on, let's see who this is," she half-whispered to her pack-mate, and stepped out into the light.

His voice didn't quite match his body. Though it was by no means light, it lacked the qualities of an older voice - the way new leather differs from the textured surface of something a little more well-worn. He was young, then, and well built. Bazi took a few confident steps forward, tail raised to half mast behind her. "Are you stealing our ducks?" she asked in a voice carried by a sardonic undercurrent.

Eyebrows knitted further downwards. Whilst he wasn't aggressive in the least, the silence that loomed after his greeting made the young male anxious. If whomever he caught wasn't friendly... what would he do? Surely if they were a pack wolf, he would be out numbered. 'What if the pack nearby really is made up of cannibals? What if I'm their dinner?!' Body tensed, he swallowed down a lump in his throat and quietly got to his feet. His ears press back, displaying his nervousness about the situation but also making sure he appeared non-threatening... hoping that, by some chance, his overactive imagination was just... that and not reality.
He turned, shifted further in the direction of the scent he smelted – the wind drifted again, carrying over a second. So there were two there... not just one. Eli frowned, uncertain how to react to this situation. He could either stay around long enough to see if they were good or evil or get the heck outta there while he still could. The brawny kid couldn't decide. By the time he was debating with his inner angel and demon, one of the wolves stepped out of their cover. Her stark white coat somewhat easy to spot in the dark greenery surrounding her.
Ears twitched, a smile pulling on his lips with his tail wagging slowly behind him.
“Stealing?” He gasped, head tilting in confusion at the accusation. “I did not know they belonged to anyone.” Elijah quietly explained, his expression morphing into a guilt ridden pout and apologetic eyes. The male, however, made sure not to stare directly at the eyes of either of the wolves present – deciding to stare at a more neutral spot between the duo so they were still in his sights but it didn't seem like he was challenging them.

"Come on, let's see who this is," murmured Bazi, he followed her out into the light and stood slightly behind her. Silver gaze scanning the wolf again, his tail twitched slightly as it rose, though not as high as his Alphess. ""Are you stealing our ducks?" A small smirk pulled at the lips of the Kappa before vanishing and morphing into a serious, proud look.

“Stealing?” the boy gasped. “I did not know they belonged to anyone.”, his expression turning to a guilty pout and apologetic eyes. It was kind of amusing to the platinum male to see that expression but he did not speak up. Instead waited to see what Bazi was going to do, and if he was needed.

"Stealing?" the young wolf gasped, seemingly mortified. Like Shadow, Bazi struggled to keep a grin at bay - it danced from one corner of her mouth to the other, smearing her carefully crafted mask with bright, teasing mirth.

"Yep," the Alpha confirmed, nodding sagely. "In fact, I think you'd better come stay with the pack for a while, so we can keep an eye on you. " Whilst Elijah stared at the vacant space between the two wolves, she appraised him thoroughly. Young, strong, and Scimitar-like in build - a veritable house of a wolf, but too young still to know how he stacked up against competitors. There were no visible scars, and his eyes shone bright blue, like a pup's. He had plenty of potential, and Bazi wanted him.

"It gets pretty dangerous out here on your own," she added, casting a dark look to the south. "I'm Bazi - this is Shadow. We're from Swiftcurrent Creek.. if you join us, you can take a duck with you. Two, if you're hungry." A wry little smile split the pale girl's face. "Free of charge."

Sorry 'bout the wait!

He hadn't smelt a pack scent around the lake. Granted he knew there was one nearby, but he hadn't thought they'd claimed the lake as well. Would it be rude to call out that they should probably mark their borders better? It did sound sorta rude... now that Eli thought about it. But he didn't want to be ganged up on due to this! But perhaps it was his fault, maybe he should have paid better attention. His mind was scrambled – it aching due to him thinking more than he usually did. Dealing with pack wolves was tough...
“Yep.” “Am I in trouble?” Lips pulled in a pout as dark tipped ears flicked back – gluing submissively to the back of his head with his tail beginning to curl underneath his hindquarters. He figured if he showed them that he wasn't a threat, they'd give him a second chance at least. But the woman spoke up again – saying that he should come with them so they could keep an “eye” on him. Oh god. His imagination was right! They were going to eat him alive... a pack of cannibals! A low whine escaped Elijah as he glanced towards the silver male and then back towards the white she-wolf's chest.
She said it was dangerous to be alone here. Elijah could agree to that. Her glance south had him worry. Maybe their pack wasn't the cannibal pack but... one south of them was? Or was this their way of tricking him?! Ahh. His head hurt. His eyes softened, eyebrows furrowed – the agouti male obviously troubled by this situation. The white wolf introduced herself as Bazi and her companion as Shadow, saying they were from a pack called Swiftcurrent Creek. She said that if he joined he could take a duck – or two! – free of charge.
“So... you guys aren't cannibals?” He asked, tilting his head to the right. Now that he thought about it, normally they would have just attacked him if they really wanted to eat him... right? His tail wagged slowly behind him. His expression lightened up with his rough, lopsided grin curving on his lips.
“I'm Elijah – though you can call me Eli,” he paused. “I have been looking for a pack to join... so if you guys aren't planning to eat me or start a war or something, I'd like to join... yeah!”

“So... you guys aren't cannibals?” The wolf tilted his head to the right, his tail wagged slowly and a lopsided grin appeared on his face. Bazi wanted this one, eh? Strong and burly, youthful, of course she wanted him. But he wasn't so sure, he needed to know what this wolf could do. The Creek could not afford lazy wolves lying around, not contributing to the pack, especially not in a time like this.

“I'm Elijah – though you can call me Eli,” the silver wanderer scanned him throughly. “I have been looking for a pack to join... so if you guys aren't planning to eat me or start a war or something, I'd like to join... yeah!” Eating, huh? The silver wanderer narrows his platinum eyes, icy orbs boring into the other male's bright blue eyes.

The first thing you learn at the Creek, is respect. he growled softly. It wasn't that he wasn't respectful, he was alright. But his tone might need to change, this was a pack not some kind of playgroup. You join, you pledge yourself to the Creek, you contribute etc.

He turned to bend his muzzle down nudge the Alpha beside him and murmured I know you have your reasons for accepting him and I respect that, but I wish to question him a bit more. I hope you don't mind, Bazi. his voice soft, only a person beside him would be able to hear.

The ashen male rose up to his full height and regarded Elijah with cold silver eyes. If you are to join us, Elijah, you must contribute something to us. We cannot allow wolves who merely seek a sanctuary with us but do not serve the pack back. I ask you, what do you have to contribute to us. Any particular skills other than hunting or fighting, if you know how to, of course. the last few words were said with humour, a flash of amusement going through his icy eyes as he waited for the other wolf's answer.

Exit Bazi. :)

Cannibals? Bazi snorted with laughter, but said nothing - it would amuse her if Eli spent the first few days wondering if the pack was going to eat him. She canted her head toward Shadow and nodded once at his suggestion, eyeing their new recruit all the while. She wasn't particularly interested in conducting interviews today - Eli looked fit, healthy, and young, and that was enough for her. They would have seats to fill soon, and she doubted there was anything particularly wrong with him. But Shadow was right; newcomers needed to be appropriately hazed.

"I will leave you in my colleague's capable paws," she announced, looking fondly up at her posturing pack-mate. The same eyes flashed Elijah a wicked, playful look before she backed away towards home. "Good luck, and welcome to Swiftcurrent Creek."

Maybe an exit for Eli & Shadow in the next round? o: Shadow could lead him to SC? I don't wanna mess up our current thread so hope this is alright :D

It wasn't the white she-wolf that spoke to him first – saying that the first thing you “learn” at the Creek was respect. An eyebrow raised, wondering if Shadow assumed that he hadn't been in a pack before. He knew how they ran, knew what it was like and he learned how to be respectful long ago! It was a touch irritating for this stranger to assume these things about him. Maybe he did seem a bit too carefree and casual, but Eli wasn't planning to just laze around and do nothing! He puffed his cheeks up, pulling his chin defensively close to his throat with a pout. But he relaxed a few seconds later, nodding his head in understanding.
If Shadow hadn't seemed submissive towards Bazi, he would have assumed that he was the Alpha instead.
“I understand,” he paused. “I don't plan on using you guys, so I will definitely pull my weight! I'm best at guarding the pups and keeping them entertained, but I will also make sure to hunt and patrol...” Do whatever was necessary at the time. He was the sort that learned fast once he was properly taught. His gaze shifted towards Bazi, tilting his head as the white female excused herself. He gave her a shy smile.
“Thank you.” The agouti wolf said – the words feeling weird and Eli felt awkward. Dealing with a strange pack and not knowing these wolves well just made him feel like a sitting duck... but he was certain that he would gradually find his place in Swiftcurrent Creek... or so he hoped. His attention shifted away once the lass had left, watching the silver male closely with ears kept pressed back – his posture overall was submissive.

I think I'll make Shadow exceptionally mean and leave Eli alone to find his own way to the Creek. xD. Exit Shadow.

“I understand,” said Elijah. “I don't plan on using you guys, so I will definitely pull my weight! I'm best at guarding the pups and keeping them entertained, but I will also make sure to hunt and patrol...” He sighed as soon as Bazi was gone, or out of earshot, gaze troubled and sad and stared at Elijah.

Unluckily for you, Elijah. The pups and their parents are about to move away from the Creek to a new home but you might still have a bit of time to interact with them. he sighed and scowled wishing Bazi was still here, he was in no mood to question the newcomer. He decided to question him later.

Nodding slightly at Elijah he said Welcome to the Creek, Elijah. I shall talk with you later. he did not offer to guide him to the Creek, he wasn't an escort instead turned swfitly and flicked his tail, telling Elijah to find his own way to his new home.

D: Exit Eli!

The pups were leaving with their parents? His ears flicked back, twitching as the silver male turned to leave. Great first impression. Both of his new pack mates just left him there... confused and not knowing where exactly he was going. Of course he could find his way around via his nose, but this was just messed up! He certainly felt appreciated. Grumbling to himself, Eli sighed – not having given Shadow a verbal farewell and just giving him a nod before he focused himself back on the ducks. Perhaps he'll eat them all so they felt his wrath!

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