Ira had been committing unparalleled levels of learned patience and time to …stalking (for slinking as silently as he could manage was secretive) the borders, hoping to catch something interesting he could report back to Jinx despite that Ira knew his Guardian was not quite herself. Nevertheless, Ira remained close to her, even daring to sleep as close as she would allow him to subtly say without actually coming out and saying it that he was hers and he was not going to leave her. They did not have that sort of relationship, and despite the grounds they had founded it upon Ira had come to know great affection for the Kesuk woman, even if he had hid it deeply within himself, fearing it. Ira had not associated his affection with her accident, though if he inspected it closely he would probably find in his warped mind, that his affection had caused it, because he started to - and still did - care for her. Ira pretended not to listen to the disastrous voices in his mind, venomous and consuming, because he did not want to push her away. Not when he felt that she needed him. Of course, Ira did not know if Jinx needed him or not - but he found that it was a nice feeling to be important even if it was an imagined prospect.

Fierce, ice blue eyes had been watching every flicker of movement from the ebony male at their borders, as Ira lay still hidden behind a tangle of thick brush and shadows. It was only when the male lifted his muzzle and let out a howl, polite-like to Fox and Jinx - to say that Ira had been proud of Jinx’s promotion would be an understatement, he had been beside himself with glee for her (proving that he was not as selfish as he liked to believe) - to greet him did Ira slink out of his coverage with the intent of making his purpose known. Each step was calculated, precise as he drew himself up to his full height (which grew more impressive every day) stare unwavering as he addressed the stranger, “What is your purpose at our borders?” The youth demanded, suspicious. He itched with excitement to get a few of his talismans he’d been working on snuck out of the borders and strategically placed, bones doused and stained with blood, laced with a pinch of poison should anyone be stupid enough to try to suck the marrow from them, but they were for another time not for here and now.

“This is Swiftcurrent Creek,” Ira introduced, attempting to mimic and hammer out his own style of ‘dealing’ with strangers at the borders. After all, it would be imperative for when he was a leader himself one day. “Our leaders are our Alpha, Fox, and our Beta, Jinx,” The insolent child could not help the swell of pride in his guardian that rose within his chest, unbidden. After that he fell silent, waiting for the ebony man to speak, his stare still unwavering and unnerving Ira hoped.

For a moment Ira did not drawn even a breath as he eyed the man cloaked in shadows like he had been borne from them, trying to deduce if he thought the other was an adult or …not. In hindsight, the other’s age mattered little. Ira noted the averted eyes and the seated, albeit lower position with firm but barely shown approval, even though to Ira this was a trail and error first time approach to this. Usually, he let the others answer the calls but he had felt spurred to answer this despite that it had not been for him. Ira assessed and dissected the clipped and to-the-point words of the dark male, pupils narrowing within their pools of icy blue. Beating around the bush was something Ira had trouble abiding but when he was not so sure he liked the clipped tones, as if Ira was bothering the other. “As do many others,” Ira dismissed coolly, wondering what made the shadow male so special, why Fox or Jinx should accept him? Wanting to join the pack simply wasn’t enough for Ira whom had a tendency to talk to anyone in any manner that he so pleased, which did not often gain him much favor with many others. The Princeling did not care about favor, he needed no one’s approval expect his own and Jinx’s. “what makes you different from any of the others that come to our borders asking for sanctuary? Do you even know anything about us?” It seemed ridiculous to Ira to want to join some place without knowing anything about it (though contrary to this he did it twice but the shadow male did not need to know that).

When the shadow man - Jace, he had addressed himself as - spoke of it being a pleasure to meet Fox and Jinx eventually, Ira said nothing though he scoffed slightly. How could it be an eventual pleasure to meet two wolves he didn’t know? The pleasantries was annoying Ira who was so different from the shadow male before him that their stark contrasts of their coats didn’t even begin to scream of the differences; and Ira tended to be rather judgmental. “What can you offer Swiftcurrent Creek? Why should Fox or Jinx accept you into the ranks?” Ira shot off his questions, demanding answers that satisfied his opinions, entirely unaware that his guardian lingered in the shadows, watching. Ira knew his opinion weighed nothing, meant nothing but that did not mean that he wasn’t going to be thorough. “I am Ira.” The youth said lastly, confident that it was a name to be remembered for the future.

To Ira it did not matter that he was not a leader. He would be; one day, and until either Fox or Jinx made an appearance on the scene the shadow cloaked male was stuck with the insolent Princeling and was, accordingly, subjected to his scrutiny. Ira was a judgmental creature by nature, and more often than not his judgments were cruel and malicious, the shift of weight was noticed by Ira but the youth did not care about size, confident that he would rival this shadow’s size with unrefined ease as he grew. Size was not as half as desirable as intellect, and Ira was inherently unimpressed. The shadow dressed male opened his mouth, admitting he knew little - Ira mentally corrected that with nothing - but listened on with pushed patience. “Not all packs harbor coveted secrets,” Ira dismissed with a soft sneer. “We have nothing to hide here in the Creek. You could have left it at that you didn’t know about us,” Ira paused and sighed. “I don’t understand why anyone would want to join a pack without finding out how they work. Are you so desperate and willing to swear your loyalty to the unknown?” Inquisitive even in his cruelty. Yet, these questions were deemed necessary to Ira so he could learn what do in the future and how to handle them. Trial and Error.

At the male pointing out his size and the ability of being able to take down ‘larger prey than most’ Ira squinted at him, harshly assessing, again, unimpressed. “Define ‘larger prey’,” If it sounded outlandishly ridiculous to Ira he would dismiss it as an exaggeration. After all, it took a hunting group to take down a elk, or even a buck, or doe. His father’s name held no weight to Ira and so the youth ignored it, but made it a point to continue listening until the shadow cloaked male ceased to speak. “You keep throwing your size around but you will find it makes no merit here. There are plenty of larger wolves who hunt and patrol, and I would not act like it in some way makes you superior around Fox.” Although, the image of Fox kicking this guy’s ass was mildly humorous to Ira. “I’m sure she would not appreciate being under estimated because she is in comparison tiny.” Perhaps Ira was just too harsh of a judge; though at the end his opinion was not the one that would count. That honor would belong to either Jinx or Fox.

At the quick dip and pleasantry of the other - whatever his name was, Ira had already forgotten it - Ira did not make any notice of acknowledgment, contented to scrutinize.

Ira felt a strange surge of glee as the shadow kissed male before him suppressed a growl letting Ira know that he was quite successful in getting under Jace’s skin even though that was actually his plan. As it was, Ira was just being a complete and inherent hard ass, demanding answers for what he could not understand. Jace’s answers were not satisfactory to the Princeling and not knowing any better, failed to curb his tongue (though to be honest he wouldn’t have even if he had known better). “How?” Ira hissed at him, eyes narrowing viciously in their pools of ice blue. “How did you find it to your liking when you know nothing about us? Liking a territory is a stupid reason for wanting to join a pack.” Ira could not, no matter how hard he tried - and to his credit he really was attempting to - understand. It didn’t make any sense to him and idly the insolent child was left to wonder with muted horror if every wolf seeking entrance at the borders was like this. At the ebony man’s words a sound that sounded like half of a growl and half of a venomous hiss snaked out from betwixt Ira’s lips as his silver tipped hackles bristled. “I don’t need anyone’s approval,” That wasn’t particularly true since he craved Jinx’s but that was different, he reasoned. “If you can’t take an honest questioning of what doesn’t make a single bit of sense in your reasons for wanting to join this pack maybe you should get lost.” Ira spoke defending himself. He wasn’t trying to have a banter contest with the other male simply because as far as the insolent child was concerned he’d already won, and what kind of adult was so bothered by a child that he had to trade insults as if they would actually hurt Ira. As it was Ira could have laughed but didn’t only because he was being serious.

Ira had opened his mouth to speak a beat after the male boasted about his talents but let his jaw fall shut with an audible snap as he felt Jinx move to his side. His Jinx. In that moment it took all the restraint the demon child had not to smirk in lazy and contempt manner at Jace. Idly, Ira wondered how long his Guardian had been there, watching, but at her command for ‘peace’ fell dutifully silent though his eyes did not cease their mocking of the ebony shadow. In truth, Ira was understanding that Jinx had it slightly wrong - or maybe she had misunderstood on purpose, she was sharp, after all - but he made no moves to correct her. Not here. Not in front of this supposed ‘adult’ who knew nothing of their relationship and frankly, didn’t need to know. For now, he remained silent and vigilant ready to lash out with his sharp words if provoked further again. He was always ready for that.

Ira was a smug little bastard, mockingly smirking with said smugness radiating off of every tendril of his pallid and silver saddled fur. He remained silent beside Jinx knowing that he was no longer required to speak and managing to extort his learned art of patience (never mind that it was still a big work in progress) by keeping his jaws firmly closed, despite that temptation was begging him to taunt some more. Jinx introduced him to Jace and the Princeling’s jaws had been prepared to part to inform her that they were mutually aware of the other’s names to his utter dismay, only fall open in likely an extremely humorous display of utter shock at Jinx’s following words. “What?” Ira hissed at Jinx, his pupils blowing wide until there was nothing but a small sliver of an icy halo around them. He backpedaled away from her as if she’d just stabbed him, lip curling back in his disapproval though he was unable to hide the wounded look in his eyes, unable to understand that she was doing it to help him (in a way). Ira thought she was instead doing it torture him.

Slowly, the Princeling began to understand that Jinx was giving him a chance to test Jace, and further along helping him with the whole leader thing. His mind worked quickly, then and he moved back to her side, licking her affectionately and subordinately under her chin. “Very well.” He complied as she made to take her leave, sparing a cold, yet wicked glimpse at Jace. Personally, he was a little disappointed that he wasn’t allowed to use Jace as his personal servant because since Jinx had warned him not too it had became inherently tempting. But no, he would not abuse the power he had been bestowed (and it really, really was tempting). “Well, come along.” Ira just barely resisted the urge to add little puppy at the end.