@Vex Cruor and anyone else who might like to join!
When she wasn't exploring the riches of the Summit, Taktuq set herself to work. Unbeknownst to her, she acted much like her mother before her and took to the outskirts of their new claim to secure their boundaries, to set markers in place, to deter any dangerous and unwanted company. Yet she did so differently than her mother all the same. Where Nanook had patrolled in icy silence, Taktuq scouted with effervescence, as though dancing with the Northern Lights even in the light of day.
Today she scouted past their borders towards a curious and growing scent from beyond the field at the Summit's southern reach. Neighbours, perhaps. New and settling ones, just like themselves. She drew forward with caution, despite the lofty strides of her long and limber legs, and paused to examine one of the scents at the forest's outer reaches.
Examined, but did not intrude.
And with the decisive stride of her mother, Taktuq threw back her head and howled for the wolves who settled here.
A stranger called, and the Cruor Queen answered. From the trees, she emerged, orange eyes glowing bright as any fire. She dipped her head in greeting, her features impassive. "Who calls for The Dominion? State your name and business." The Queen thought of calling for Vivaan, but decided against it - she needed no man by her side. She scented at the air, and knew this must be one of the pack wolves.
The woman who met her cut an impressive stride, and Taktuq ascertained that she stood in the presence of royalty.
She matched the woman's greeting with a soft dip of her head. The Dominion. Taktuq wondered what kind of place this was, what kind of wolves made up the ilk of it. No nonsense, it seemed, if first impressions counted.
"Taktuq Ateneq," she offered, "of Atautsikut. It would seem we are neighbours now, so it seemed good that we meet." Despite the woman's intimidating aura, Taktuq offered her a kind smile that reached her eyes. Inwardly she tried not to worry that this village might be like the bear wolves who had chased her back when she was a pup. Her heart tremored at the thought.
So, she belonged to the mountain wolves. Inwardly, she snarled softly - how bold of her, to march straight to the borders of the wood. Outwardly, however, Vex would simply nod. Taktuq seemed friendly, given the way she held herself, the smile that touched her eyes. Nothing at all like the Cruor Queen - there was no smile on her pale face, no warmth to her gaze. "Well, your group has certainly been an interest of mine," she finally stated, glancing up to the mountain. "I have caught your scents at the weir - but you must know, the Dominion has claimed it for our hunting grounds." There was no threat to her voice, but there was contempt - she clearly did not like others so close to her domain. Hopefully, this woman would pass that information along.