Wolf RPG

Rosalyn ran the borders with an almost paranoid frequency, even as time passed. She rarely ventured from the cliffs outside of the occasional hunting trips, and she never went far enough to merit remaining overnight.  As winter lengthened, her protective drive ticked up, carried by expectations of spring and the tragedies weathered.

The shape of the stranger made her freeze, and she prepared to snarl before noting that he had made no move to enter.  It was strange to find a friendly wolf approaching silently, so she remained on edge as she took one step... then another.

What are you doing, lurking on our borders? she asked, her head lifting and turning so that she could glare at him with her singular eye.  There was no reason to be polite here.

It wasn't often that Chacal roamed toward the borders of the pack- but perhaps her restlessness could be cured by venturing a bit further away from her usual haunts, so she roamed along the borders. Not exactly doing a patrol for the sake of patrolling, but roving along wondering if she might just take some time and explore the lands outside of the pack's boundaries for once. She was a homebody- but she'd begun wondering just how much she was missing by staying well within the pack's boundaries all the time. In part, she feared what the wilderness might bring, knowing the dangers that lived beyond what she believed was an impenetrable shield...So she tested the waters by meandering along the paths that her family had created through the snow, until she spotted a figure in the distance. 

He was so much larger than her- standing taller, and being thicker throughout than she was nearly twice over, she estimated. There was a subtle hue of ochre to his pelt, but more striking yet was the contrast of pale fur that masked his face. She regarded him warily, and altered her route to give him a good berth- pausing in her trail when she noticed that her mother approached the stranger with caution as well. She felt a bit self-conscious, coming upon her mother greeting what she assumed was a stranger- but she didn't move away. She simply kept her distance, and watched silently. 

Her heart ached when she realized there was something about his facial markings that reminded her of Rosencrantz- and she grieved still for her deceased packmate. But she associated her fond memories of the fire-scarred male with this new one, and allowed her tail to wave softly as she regarded him with hesitant curiosity.

Rosalyn didn't note Chacal's presence; she was too focused on the stranger in front of her.  He did not posture, nor did he waste time.  She appreciated both of these and she allowed them to temper some of her suspicion.

Most call when they want an audience.  She said, a little dryly, but she did relax some.  What makes you seek a home here?  More often than not it was simple placement, fate leading one to cross their borders and lack of choice making them wish for it.  But she always preferred wolves like Njord... drawn to the water and the promise it offered, keen to throw themselves into the pack and the family it provided.

Her mother's air wasn't something she'd describe as being hostile, but she was definitely flexing her superiority, and making sure that the stranger knew who was boss. She envied her mother, for having such poise- but that envy also made her feel slightly jealous as well. For some reason, she began to pity the male, who seemed friendly enough. Maybe it was the fact that she was reminded of the kindly Rosencrantz that she was obliged to give him a bit of the benefit of the doubt- and perhaps it was the growing restlessness within her that made her want to rebel against the current authority. 

Still- she didn't speak out. Her expression remained calm, and some of her concern eased when she noticed her mother relax a bit. Her border protocol was what kept the pack safe, after all- so Chacal trusted her mother's judgment.

Ah, chance it was.  She looked him over carefully.  Some would join seeking to harm, others seeking to rule.  They'd enjoyed a small measure of peace here and she wouldn't see that tipped askew by a stranger, but they'd also lost many and could use more to guard those left.

My name is Rosalyn.  My wife and I keep Sapphique.  If you are looking for a home, you may find one here, if you are willing to abide by our code.  She waited to see what his reaction to that would be.  Some men would balk at a pack led by two women; he was deferential, so she hoped not.

No reaction, outside of perhaps the usual surprise.  She committed his name, though likely she'd need a reminder if he disappeared at length vs making himself known to the pack.

Family first.  It's simple, but non-negotiable.  If you join, you become one of us, and that means looking out for your own.  She could assume from his words that he had no other loyalties, but she wasn't prepared to assume he knew what loyalty meant.  Perhaps these losses were his own fault, even.

Swear you'll uphold it and you have a deal. She didn't ask for qualifications.  She always assumed a wolf who lived this long couldn't be useless - all she wanted to know was if he knew how to contribute for more than himself.

"It's family first."

All that might've been heard of Chacal would be the faintest hiss as she heard that statement, and immediately reacted by flattening her ears, and turning to trot off into the packlands. Family had not been chosen first for the Seafoam Run, so why was she to believe her mother now? What she failed to remember was that packmates were family, and that Merlin and Njord had earned the right to participate by being contributing members of the pack, who were now considered family as well. In her spite, she couldn't see past her own jealousy. 

No longer interested in the meet and greet, she accelerated to a lope, hoping to disappear off into the wilderness without being spotted by her mother.

He was a man of few words.  Rosalyn wasn't exactly charmed by this, but she could respect it, to a point.  That might speak to dishonesty over time, and a tendency to seek his own favor above the rest... but he'd sworn it, and so she'd give him a chance.  He could either prove it or leave them in the end.  She did not fear hers and Erzulie's position here the way she had in the past, and she knew all those within the pack would back them should they move against a stranger.

Then welcome.  I can show you around, if you like.  She stepped off, indicating he should follow.  It would be best perhaps if she did, to introduce him to some of their packmates and ensure he was not seen as a trespasser.  And while I do, perhaps you can tell me about yourself?  If he had anything interesting worth sharing.

It was possible he'd keep his past tightly guarded.  He had a look about him she was familiar with - rough edges, bullish form, built for violence.  Ignorant to Chacal's appearance and disappearance entirely, she accompanied him into the territory, curious to find more about this man who would join them.