Swiftcurrent Creek i don't need no good morning

tags for reference ( but free to join, ofc! ) <3

rie — stay close to me. the warning — the command — slips from jet's lips as @Harrier ventures a little further ahead of him than he'd like. as his only sister and the self-appointed leader of his littermates ( regardless if they agree or not ) jet feels both personally responsible for and protective over her.

their status in the creek feels precarious and jet recognizes this as it wars with his itch to explore. which was why he compromised despite that their outing might've went directly against @River's orders.

let's not go far, yeah? jet is guarded, unsure if he could or should trust the creek wolves despite the hospitality they've extended to their family. golden gaze scours the land surrounding the bubbling brook that harrier splashed in, looking for some pretty rock or something ( she told him he's sure but he's on edge and doesn't really remember ).

Arlette had been going through the territory. They had officially accepted River and her children. She had still to meet the mother, and she was intending on doing so. Just to make acquaintances. She was a little hesitant to have even more pups in the pack, but they will have to make it work. After all Akavir AND Viin were possibly the fathers of the children. She was not too thrilled about it, but, she also didn't have a heart of stone. She was a mother herself and knew that raising children on your own was not an easy feat. From what she had heard River had done a good job.

Arlette went off the new smells and was soon to get closer to River's location. However, before she got there she spotted two of the pups in the brook. Arlette raised a slight brow as they were a little away from where most of the scents originated from. Her red eyes glanced curious at the two children. Hello, you two, she greeted. Out exploring?, she asked.

jet turns to face the woman that speaks to them, golden gaze scanning her face, taking note of every scar that stood out in stark contrast against her light fur. harrier continues her merry splashing and jet moves subtly, putting himself between his sister and the creek wolf. she appears to be curious but survival instincts and mistrust keep jet painfully alert.

something like that. jet replies simply; not meaning to sound cagey but knowing that it could very well come across that way all the same. they weren't ( yet ) apart of the creek ... these lands were not theirs to explore ... or find pretty rocks in, in his sister's case.

his sister says something about looking for pretty rocks from over his shoulder and he shoots her a dark, disapproving look over his shoulder. we're not trying to cause trouble. he adds, unsure how their unchaperoned exploration might be taken.

Arlette noted the defensive signal that he put himself between her and his sister. It was admirable for a up so young to display such things. Perhaps that was because of their upbringing. Arlette was in no way here to scold or hurt them but she knew such things would take time.

It was a stark contrast with her own who seemed a little more social. Arlette nodded. I see. Well, there is lots to see in Swiftcurrent. Just be careful around the river, it can be really strong. I'd hate for any of you two to drown or swept away, she offered.

You are not doing anything wrong, she smiled softly at them, her tail wagging gently. I wanted to meet your mama, is she around somewhere?, she asked. Or is she busy? It might be that she was out hunting. She then looked at the little man. I'm Arlette. I'm also the healer of the pack so if you have a wound or something hurts you can come to me for help.

an ear flickers back towards harrier, who has returned to her rummaging in the water's shallows for her rocks. for a moment jet has 'airplane ears' as he tries to focus on both his sister passively and arlette ( as she introduces herself ) in front of him. despite her kind demeanor and reassurance that they weren't doing anything wrong — besides perhaps disobeying river's orders — the feeling of unease doesn't dissipate.

jet walks carefully here. mistrustful despite that the creek wolves have seemed to be nothing if not accommodating. still, he is aware that they remained outsiders, despite that; and growing up as he had, self-appointing himself as the leader of his siblings jet thinks he will always linger in that realm of caution and distrust.

he doesn't respond to her attempted reassurances, offering a slight raise of his brow when she mentions wanting to speak to his mother. her and my brothers are hunting. they're probably not too far.

i'm jet and that's harrier. he gestures to his sister over his shoulder who chirrups out a cheerful 'hiiii!'.

Arlette watched the two, who couldn't be more different from each other in behavior. The female dipped her head in understanding. She wouldn't disturb the mother from her hunt. She would need the food for them. She might return at a later time to talk to their mother. Alright, I will come back later then, she returned, trusting the pup's word.

Nice to meet you, she hummed, her tail wagging. Hello Harrier, she smiled. They were cute. Then again, she had a soft spot for children. Her goal was not to make the pups like her, just to check them out and get to know them a little. Mostly their mother but it was good to see the children as well.

Well, careful around the water, okay?, she spoke to the two of them. She didn't want to interrupt too much of their playtime or get Jet too much on edge. I might come by later to say hi to your mother. Is that alright with you Jet?

she warns to be mindful of the creek's current and jet sends harrier a look over his shoulder, silently communicating with her to listen. the shallows appeared to be docile enough but he wasn't willing to risk her safety for the sake of whatever 'pretty' rocks might be hiding in the deeper, faster currents.

we'll be careful. jet promises, not really to reassure her as much as it was meant to reassure himself. he would never forgive himself if a small oversight on his part caused harrier to get hurt. especially since he already bore the burden of not staying in the den like they were told.

his attention returns to arlette as she asks if it's ok with him if she stopped by later to 'say hi to his mother'. a quizzical look is given to her, unsure what to do with the weight of the permission placed upon his shoulders. she was an adult, the creek was her pack. she could do whatever she wished — and jet wasn't about to speak for his mother.

he knew better than that.

you can stop by and ask mom if she'll talk with you. i won't speak for her. is jet's reply.

Arlette wondered if a child this young could make a risk assessment to stay safe but these were not her children to watch. And of all the pups she had seen this year, Jet seemed awfully mature for his age and speech. She nodded to him in response.

The woman's brows rose at his reply. Guess she completely misjudged this child. She figured because he was so in charge and protective of his sister he might also felt that way about his mother. It seemed it was not the case and that was fine. I shall, she nodded. She would return later to meet the mother. Alright, take care now, she spoke. And with that she left the two pups by the water.

- arlette exit -

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