Naberius Cyrus was not at all a shy man. In the few months which he had been here, he had made an point to allow others to be made aware of the new Neb of this land. He walked with a confidence, a pride, though his tail a sway at his backside as it was lifted up, yet not high over his back to prove his dominance against anyone particularly.
The red lands seemed quiet. Far more quiet then they had seemed when he was viewing from outside of them before and there was a number of faces which he had meant that no longer seemed to be here- a number of men that could perhaps be on mission. Perhaps scouting out the enemy pack territory. Most noticeably, their Pharoah, Makono, where words said she went to study with the High Priest of her father's land.
No matter. The less there were now only meant that as others came to join, he would be further knowledgeable and hold seniority over them. He had been placed a man of high status of which he was born and planned so to keep it. Naberius had much reason to remain. But he was a social wolf, playful and, easily bored. So he follows the scent trails that lead him to the Otter Creek. Waters sprang from somewhere in the mountains down to these open lowlands, spanning out and one water way which looked to stretch all the way to the Greatwater Lake. Naberius had yet to visit there, with enemies on the prowl.
Melody, too, was easily bored — and the presence of a new high-ranking member of Akashingo did not slip past her notice. The rude awakening that had been the realization that she'd been living with coyotes for — however long — without even knowing had driven her to pay a bit more attention to the happenings around Akashingo. Frankly, she was ashamed of herself.
That wouldn't stop her from getting acquainted with those who seemed important, however. She followed the Neb all the way to the creek, chuffing to catch his attention when she'd caught up to him. A plain looking man, as far as she could tell from this distance. She didn't see anything so special about him, that he should be ranked above the rest. But maybe that was a good example of why she wasn't involved in these decisions.
He had a follower. Someone who thought his outward appearance as ordinary yet followed his trail out here all the same. She chuffed out to him and his dark masked face lifts, sunburst eyes of orange and peach meeting that of spring greens. Well Hellooo.
His eyes waver, looking up and down her coat of browns and gold.
Having called to him, he wonders if there was something specific she had meant to address and his ears are perked with curiosity. To what do I owe the pleasure?
His eyes were striking, Melody realized when he turned to her; the only striking thing about him, she thought, until he spoke. Suddenly he held quite the appeal, though it was difficult to place a name to exactly what about his demeanor drew her in. Regardless, her smile was genuine when she met his eyes.
Just thought I should introduce myself,
She admitted, feeling shy now. I'm Melody. Hemet.
Sort of! But she bit back that clarifier, thinking better of it.
He turns around to her and her features brighten and she shyly states that she only wished to formally introduce herself. Melody
He repeats the name with a smile. He wondered if she were as smooth and elegant as a beautiful melody.
It is good to make your acquaintance.
He dips his chin down with respect to the Hemet, then back up. I am Neb Naberius.
He says with a laughter at the rhythm of the words. Of the Land of Sun and Sand.
Naberius then shifts so that he is somewhat aligned with her own body and lifts a long, dark stripped limb in the direction of the Greatlake. Do you worry of the possibility of war?
He wonders too, what might she all know, if she had been here longer then he.
Unfortunately for Naberius, Melody knew next to nothing. This was the first she'd even heard of the possibility of war! She didn't let her surprise show, instead biting back her emotions the way she had been learning to do ever since coming here. This didn't seem like the kind of place to show weakness — and her general obliviousness was definitely a weakness.
No,
Melody said coolly. I don't see any point to worrying. It'll happen or it won't.
She was genuine in this, at least. Her gaze turned curious with her next words. What all have you heard about it?
Melody did her best to sound as if she already knew what he was talking about and only wanted to gauge his knowledge.
If she were surprised, she did well to hide it. Calm and collected, she stated that it did not put fear in her. Then, she questions, wondering what all he had heard. His shoulders pulled back, a kind of shrug given. He didn't hold any shame in not knowing all the details. He had not been a part of this pack for very long.
I know the leader was once a member of our own, cast out. Now one of their own has been staying here with us, saying this man took from her. I assume she had come to strike a deal, to get back what is hers.
It was vague. With only what was whispered among the packs as they spoke to their visitor and made plans. Naberius didn't know it was not only her place as leader but her own pups he kept from her. This woman having come here for help and an exiled wolf now in leadership, trouble was sure to come.
Melody took this in with great interest, thinking back on the coyote girl
@Tuna and her news of a corpse. She couldn't be certain it was the same pack, but it seemed likely. The way the coyote had spoken of the pack, they must have already been on Akashingo's radar.
One of the Fellahin found a body,
She shared in a hushed tone.
One of theirs, I guess. There won't be much of a war if they fall apart from the inside.
She cast a glance back toward Akashingo. Melody had not met many warriors in her time there; despite her outward confidence, there was a small spike of worry in her to think of war coming to the Mesa. She didn't know what she'd do if they asked her to fight.
Naberius eyes widened when Melody offered up what she knew of the situation, that a body had been found. She was right. If a civil war continued on within, there wouldn't be much of a war. Still, Naberius thought it best to eradicate, to keep from a possibility of Khaba growing in supporting numbers which may later threaten Akashingo's own safety.
Good.
He says with a crinkled nose as he looks out to the blue of the waters, standing out in the distance of open gradsland. If our traitor is easily dealt with now, we won't have to worry about him being a bigger problem later.
Naberius then turns his attention away from the enemy in the distance and he began to walk along the side of the waters of Otter Creek. Have you ever eaten one? An otter?