Wolf RPG

He let @Heda take point as they voyaged to the mainland. Caracal knew it was more or less a straight shot to the vale if they followed the river inland after combing the coastline. But he wanted to visit Meerkat at Moonspear first, then swing by Epoch and hang out with Towhee et al.

He wanted to see @Sialuk too, though what he did not expect was to find @Fennec’s and @Killdeer’s scents near the borders! He pulled up short, a smile breaking out over his face right before he shot a howl skyward.

Another familiar voice rose into the air this afternoon. Meerkat raised her head from where she’d been fetching a drink in a cool mountain spring, sweet droplets of water dripping from her whiskered chin. She licked her jowls and smiled at Caracal’s dulcet tones.

@Njord and the girls were back at the ulaq, which meant she was free to answer her brother’s summons. Belly sloshing with drink, Meerkat shuffled down the mountainside and beamed when she spotted him—and a pretty young woman at his side! She barked, tail waving, and closed the distance.

Hey! Sialuk said you’d come by one of these days. Sorry I missed you last time, Meerkat cheerfully greeted her younger brother. Turning her attention to the pale she-wolf beside Caracal, she said warmly, Hi, I’m Meerkat.

“I was chilling with my boy Caracal on the island but ma didn't wanna stay there,” she remembered Killdeer mentioning just the other day. Meerkat could only hope that these two were living their best lives out there and had come for nothing more than a friendly visit.

Out of all the familial scents lingering in the air here, it was Meerkat who materialized to receive Caracal and Heda. He was happy to see her, though he admittedly glanced past her shoulder, hoping to see Killdeer pop out of the woodwork too.

Hiya, Meerk! How are ya? Caracal returned his sister’s greetings. This is my wife, Heda.

He could barely wait to tell her the good news: they were expecting! But first, Caracal allowed the two women a moment to exchange pleasantries. He caught himself looking around for his buddy again too.

Is my nose deceiving me or are Killer and Fen living here now? he couldn’t help but wonder aloud.

Hey, you ass, Killdeer remarked to Caracal, galloping down the slopes to meet his cousin. He gave Meerkat a friendly nod and then stopped short, giving a respectful glance to Heda before turning his gaze toward the ruddy young man.

He cocked his head.

What brings you here? he inquired, smiling broadly. His tail wagged, but he remained body-neutral; he did not have the rank here to judge newcomers.

But, gosh, he was happy to see the two of them.

Your wife! Meerkat repeated with clear delight. It’s nice to meet you, Heda. Welcome to the family.

Before she could field Caracal’s question, Killdeer answered it himself by appearing with affectionate epithets on his lips. Meerkat arched a brow and chortled at the camaraderie between the young men. If there was any awkwardness about Killdeer (and Fennec) choosing Moonspear over the island, it wasn’t apparent.

They’re here to see me! Meerkat joshed, although it might very well be true. You two should come by my ulaq, she added, gesturing to their guests with a forepaw. I’d love for you to come say ‘hi’ to @Njord and the girls. Ray might be around too. You can come too, of course, she made sure to include Killdeer.

Motioning for the three younger wolves to follow her lead, Meerkat turned and began climbing. Caracal and Heda had approached the northeastern stretch of borders, which meant it was a fairly straight shot to the big tree where her family lived.

As they approached, the Gamma called out to her family, Njord? Girls? I have some special guests for you to meet. Although her husband had met her younger brother, she made formal introductions for everyone’s sake. This is your Uncle Caracal and Aunt Heda, she said mostly for the pups’ benefit. Caracal, Heda, this is my mate, Njord, and my daughters, @Orca II and Seal. Njord, have you seen @Stingray today?

Speak of the devil! Caracal crowed when Killdeer appeared. Grinning from ear to ear, he clapped a paw to his pal’s shoulder the instant he was within reach and ribbed, I could ask you the same thing!

Heda declared the purpose for their visit in such a subtle way, nobody seemed to catch it. Caracal smiled at her as Meerkat quickly took point of the visit and began guiding them up the mount like the world’s sweetest Sherpa. He supposed the formal announcement could wait until they reached their destination and everyone was present for it.

In the meantime, he trailed behind Meerkat and kept trying to catch Heda’s eye to make sure she wasn’t uncomfortable or anything. “What the dump is an ‘o-lock’?” he mouthed goofily to her.

He took a moment to glance to his other side and say to Killdeer, Seriously, what made you pick this place? I’m not complaining, he hastily reassured, just wondering. Was it Sialuk? he guessed with a wink.

If Killdeer had any comeback to that, Caracal didn’t catch it before they were at Meerkat’s ulaq, which turned out to be a huge, hollow tree. He admired it for a second before his attention turned to the three wolves milling outside it. One was familiar—he nodded to Njord—but his shining eyes soon fixed on the babies.

Hiya! I’m your Un’Cal! he beckoned to his two adorable nieces.

meerkat was greatly inviting, and heda felt that she might have known the woman all along. her legs rather ached by the time they reached their goal, but her face was alight with smiles, and she repeated her greetings, laughing and glancing up at caracal from time to time.
the redhawks were a wonderful family indeed, and heda felt herself filled with the bountiful love of sweetharbor.