Northstar Vale JOIN: spontaneous me.

He had decided to travel south and west the day he left his home pack. Fleeting words speaking of salty breezes and glittering horizons brought his paws traveling down the mountain of his previous home, through the plains and valleys, and deep into the terrain of the Pacific Northwest. From here, he could smell what the vagabonds had spoken of as the ocean lingered faintly beyond from the high altitude of the mountain. He had conquered the pass and the ranges beyond; they pulled him up and down the unfamiliar land in search for a new home. It was as if he could feel the magnetism to this land reverberating from the earth beneath his paws.

Silas had never embarked on such a lengthy journey before, and he wasn't about to do it again. Meals had been more than scarce, and even water was difficult to scrounge at times. He was running a risk from the fresh, nubile scents of a forming pack, but he couldn't help but feel the opportunity build. Coming from a large pack, the concept of a budding clan was alluring and enigmatic. At no other time of his life had the golden child of Silas' family been at such a disadvantage.

While this time of year was unnaturally easy on him in terms of sustenance, it was by far the leanest he had ever eaten. By the time he noticed that he had come upon the outermost territory of a pack, Silas was starving. Well, to his mind. He rallied a howl from the staunchest parts of himself to grandly announce his presence before settling into a well deserved respite from his travels.

—> setting this after the BDP thread and before the founding thread!

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Though Hawkeye and Blacktail Deer Plateau didn't work out, it was definitely for the better. It forced Raheerah to scout further ahead and luckily enough for them, the Dragon did indeed find the paradise they had been looking for. It was a beautiful valley with a forest, a meadow, streams, hot springs, natural caves - it was everything they would have ever needed and more. The hot springs were definitely a blessing and Tenzin couldn't wait to try them out with Dawa. He wondered if the natural minerals and warm water would make her feel any better, or if they would only bring her pain.

He sat before one of them now, breathing in the faint smell of sulfur while birds chirped in the surrounding trees. This spring in particular had been his favorite so far. It was crystal clear, shallow, and bordered with flat, smooth rocks. Thin aspen trees grew around it with a large cottonwood set in the corner. There was a light collection of flowers spread through the grass until the pine and fir trees thickened, then the ground was predominantly fern and patches of beargass. His eyes were closed and he was muttering a low chant. Prayer was something he often tried to do as often as he was alone, and with Dawa, that wasn't often. It was the life he had chose though, and the one he would live out.

A stranger's howl shattered his tranquility and he perked up suddenly. Alerted, he scrambled to his paws and zig-zagged through the treed hurriedly to try and reach the stranger before Raheerah did. It didn't take the monk very long until he came across a lean, red-agouti. Tenzin calmed himself instantly, taking a death breath before approaching the stranger with a gentle smile. "Ah, friend. Hello. Thank the gods I found you before the Dragon did!" Laughing to dismiss the seriousness of the issue, Tenzin suddenly remembered that they had claimed the Vale for themselves. As a monk, he did not seek to dominate others; but he, Dawa, and the Dragon were still working out who would be what within their pack.

"Welcome to Northstar Vale. I am the monk, Tenzin. What can I do for you, friend?" They hadn't officially claimed the area but it was something Raheerah had been pressuring so strangers like this one wouldn't come wandering in. Their scent markings had been present, so that's what Tenzin assumed the wolf before him had been alerted by. He was relaxed in posture and calm in demeanor. The monk was a gentle soul and waited patiently with a warm smile for the male to speak.

The scents were small, scattered, although fresh and teeming with energy as Silas pulled his muzzle down from his howl. He took a few moments to check his own stance, and he attempted to keep himself neutral. His bottle-brushed tail was kept low, sweeping against his creamy haunches. His stance was low, holding his tight abdomen close to the ground. He slid his red ears against his skull, and kept his amber eyes roving as to catch any movements that indicated the creatures that started marking these borders.

But he didn't have to wait very long at all before a male, alabaster white with eyes of teal, approached. He seemed almost knightly, his pristine fur shining like a beacon against the late-winter sky and Silas could feel his heart and zeal lift as he neared. Almost automatically, he felt his tail thump good-naturedly against his leg, and he flashed a quick, toothy smile at his new company. The other's reference was lost on the Silas but before he could question any further the white wolf offered up names and information. Grateful to see a friendly face, the boy had no hesitation at all.

"Silas," the rejected prince offered in return, dipping his head low as a greeting to the self-proclaimed monk. He let his amber eyes scan the terrain for a second before settling them diplomatically at the other's chest. "Northstar Vale?" He echoed evenly, but not without a small grin spreading against his lips. "The scents seem fresh. Are you looking for new recruits?" Silas cocked his head ever so slightly as he voiced his words. The question was ventured with no malice, but instead curiously with a hint of excitement. Perhaps this was the new start the ruddy boy was actually looking for, but perhaps not.

Ever reluctant to take on a dominant stance, Tenzin relaxed himself as the boy began to speak. Learning that his name was Silas, the monk took this time to lower himself onto his haunches. He was comfortable standing but wanted to invite Silas to relax as well. As Tenzin took in the young wolf's question, he nodded sagely. "Please, do relax," he mumbled in a low voice. Taking a calming, deep breath, the monk gesture behind him and nodded.

"Yes, Northstar Vale. We arrived a short bit ago but have been traveling very far," he said somewhat slowly, taking gentle pauses as he worked to cover his faint accent. "We are certainly open to new recruits, and you seem pleasant enough to fit nicely in," Tenzin said with a grin. He looked the boy over and tilted his head with a quizzical look. "How old are you, son?" The question was asked politely enough and Tenzin hoped it didn't sound rude in any way. The monk was used to younger wolves roaming off to explore their own path, but perhaps he just hadn't been prepared for it so soon. Silas looked to be about a year, at least; and he was large for his age!

Shifting, Tenzin motioned to Silas with his nose. "There are some things you should know before you meet the others," he said quietly, scenting the air to see if the Dragon had come to answer Silas's call as well. When the monk did not pick up the foul scent of the beast, he smiled and continued, "Aside from myself, there is a blind cleric named Dawa and a warrior named Raheerah. Dawa doesn't like to be touched, so be gentle when you approach her. Raheerah is..." As Tenzin trailed off, he hummed while he thought and finally clicked his tongue, "Ah, well, he's a warrior. Gruff by nature, but loyal." Smiling broadly, he dismissed the thoughts of the Dragon. "And you, Silas? Do you know what you'd like to be?"