Silver Creek when you take the king's shilling

a wild ambassador thread has appeared! he's looking for @Heston or @Spring but anyone is welcome! :-)

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Though leaving Lotte when she is so heavily pregnant makes him uneasy he knows she will be fine in Hemlock’s capable paws. It soothes him a little, enough for him to continue on with what he needs to do. While Teaghlaigh resided on the Coast Arturo had once had knowledge: of what packs resided there. His meeting with the Drageda wolves had brought the ugly truth to the surface for Arturo to face down: he had not even been aware of their presence. They were far enough away and he did not feel they posed any real threat to The Family …but the fact that he had grown so lax, so wrapped up in the world of Teaghlaigh that he hadn’t even realized who had come and gone on the Coast had …startled him. That sort of carelessness would not happen again. It was during his initial scouting trip to the Strath that he had scent two packs in the Hinterlands. He wonders if perhaps it might be in his best interest to keep Teaghlaigh as much of a secret as he can but there are things he seeks to know about the packs that inhabit the Hinterlands with his Teaghlaigh. He is an ambassador, a gangster, a business man. Knowledge was his business. He wanted to know what packs resided here, which ones were moving in like he and his.

Allowing the loss of his edge on the Coast had been inexcusable. He makes quick work of his journey, steps slowing as he approaches Silver Creek’s borders through King Elk Forest. He slows to a stop when there is more than a respectable distance between their borders and him. He bows his head to sniff at the ground, drinking in the scent of their borders, attempting to gleam what little information they will yield to him. Even with a more than respectable distance away their scent is strong and lingering though their scent betrays that they are small. Regardless, they are holding strong and Ceannasach has come as Lotte’s red herring and Teaghlaigh’s Ambassador. Arturo keeps his posture neutral, tips his head back and announces his presence to the Creek wolves with a howl.

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Hope you don't mind Sky popping in!

Skylaris had continued to mark the borders, despite only having three legs and being heavily pregnant now. She still felt guilty, and believed she must re-prove herself to the alphas. Often the dove felt morning (or afternoon) sickness, but right now she was feeling alright, seeing as she had already vomited once a few hours ago.

The woman stopped to mark a tree, and a howl made her eyes narrow. They didn't get many visitors, so Sky automatically assumed that the stranger was danger, but her thoughts flickered back to Ikari and she decided to hold off assumptions until she knew of the wolf's intentions. 

It took a little while to get there, with her hobbling on three legs, but eventually she managed it. The wolf was at least polite enough to respect the borders and stayed a little distance away. Skylaris nodded her head in greeting and met the male with a neutral stance, and she questioned him first. "What brings you to our borders, stranger?" it was a fairly simple question, but necessary. Sky was pretty good at picking up lies, so this man had better not be up to something. You did not want to get the bad side of one of Sky's mood swings.

He was making his way around the borders, marking and remarking, when the howl drew his head up. Coincidentally it wasn't very far ahead of his current path, which he enjoyed. He didn't have to completely skip areas now, just increase his pace. He smirked to himself as if that had been his plan all along, and started to move faster. He paused only to mark areas only the way breifly, not wanting to wolf to sit too long on the border and get curious or reckless.

All in all, he arrived in what he considered good time though he noticed that he had managed to arrive behind another member of the pack. His ears strained to catch Skylaris's words and he realized she'd only just arrived. His eyes flew first to her large belly, then the open space her leg formely occupied. His eyes narrowed on her and he sighed to himself, irratated that she'd come all this way pregnant and...well not injured, but still not fully recovered.

Her pregnancy had been a surprise, even an unwelcome surprise, but it wasn't something that he faulted her for. Traveling away from the pack could be argued as foolish, whatever, but her intentions had been good. She hadn't expected so many wolves to behave like literal shit. Heston, plainly, didn't either. It had shocked and appalled him to hear the story of her leg, much less that of her pregnancy. He'd like to tear the legs, and other more tender parts, off the wolf who had done it to her. Not only for her sake, but also simply to keep the male from walking, reproducing or hurting someone else again. He felt that they could manage though, as worried as the idea made him.

He walked over to stand closer to Skylaris, allowing his expression to fall back into neutral. He glanced once at her with a stern expression, as if to question why she was out here doing this, but he wasn't about to discuss it with her in front of a stranger. Not only would it be embarrassing for her and rude, but it would make the pack look like it bickered within. His irritation at Skylaris was born only out of concern. He stood near her side, tail raised up over his back and head held high.

He didn't need to tell the man that he was an alpha here, it was written all over his body language. "She stole the words from my mouth, it seems. I'd be interested to know that as well." He commented, nodding once to greet the man.

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The gangster is first greeted by a woman dappled of a coat of ash grey and white, heavily pregnant and missing a leg. Arturo does not stare with the intention of being rude but it draws his eyes nevertheless. He has never seen a wolf with three legs before and he is unsure whether it repulses him or fascinates him. The coy wolf’s face is impassive as his fiery gaze of twin suns flickers to the ivory colored man, his posture dominate, as he approaches and speaks that the woman has taken the words from his mouth as she inquires what brings him to their borders. There is a solid familiarity in being ambassador. Arturo was not aware just how desperately he needed it before he came here. He needs it. He needs this. Something he can control. His life has spun so far out of his control and mercy to those responsible for the ruthless gangster would offer none. He would make sure they rued the day.

He would deal with that, though, when the time came.

He dips his head in respect to the two wolves: a heavily pregnant, three legged guardian and her ivory leader. “I am Arturo Fearghal ambassador and Ceannasach of Teaghlaigh. I’ve only come to talk,” He tells them, adjusting into the diplomatic side of business with a smooth ease. As if there is nothing else to him. “We have claimed the Strath to the east,” Arturo’s muzzle gestures in the general direction he had came from. “We do not seek to upset the quiet of the Hinterlands, in fact, it is the reason we have moved here. We only seek to, if not be friends with our neighbors than at least be neutral. If you’re interested in a potential alliance we can work out terms that benefit both of our packs but I understand if you’d rather be solitary.” Teaghlaigh is strong, it’s ranks full for the moment and Arturo is a business man through and through. He sees a potential opportunity and he tries to reach for it.

“Regardless,” He addresses the alpha now for he does not expect the woman, as heavily pregnant as his Lotte, to give him a tour of their hunting grounds. “If you would show me your pack’s hunting grounds so I can tell my wolves to avoid them that would be much appreciated.” Arturo is here to make peace, if nothing else. He has had enough trouble to last him for a lifetime and he does not fancy the idea of more which was why he is reaching out to the leaders of the Hinterlands packs: so they know he is there and to offer, if nothing more, an olive branch.

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Sky can stay or leave, whatever you want at this point!

Soon after Skylaris had arrived, the alpha male made an appearance. Heston narrowed his eyes at her, and Sky lowered her head a tad. Sure, she probably shouldn't be doing this in her current state, but she was trying her best to re earn her title as gamma - since she didn't think she deserved it. Nevertheless, she was here now. She could leave of course, but only if Heston dismissed her. Perhaps he would want to tend to this matter alone.

The dove turned her head back to the stranger, scanning him with her bright blue eyes. She hestitated and simply watched as he spoke and introduced himself, then going on to explain his presence. He claimed land near here? Interesting. Though, it was understandable. The Hinterlands were ideal for packs. Sky made a mental note of the man and his pack. 

She remained silent, glancing back at Heston to see what he thoughts, since it was not her place to make this decision. Though this male seemed to be neutral and came with a proposal of an alliance. Honestly, Sky believed it would be good to have an Ally - the pack of Silver Creek was small and much as she hated to admit it, they were vulnerable. Of course, Ikari's joining added some strength to their ranks, but Skylaris couldn't fight. Ikari was well needed here.

Heston listened to the man speak, and was impressed by his formality. It was no wonder he was chosen to reach out to Silver Creek. He listened with interest as the man spoke of the pack to the East and Heston glanced the direction of his gesture. He was pleased by the greeting and thought it a good start to a potential relationship. Heston nods at the mention of an alliance, but does not speak one way or the other just yet.

"Nice to meet you Arturo. Of Teaghlaigh, you said? You are certainly off to a good start towards friendship by offering a greeting." He didn't trust the man yet, though, polite as he seemed. Nor did he trust the pack. It would take time and interaction to cross those bridges, but Heston was not opposed to attempting to make a connection. "I can't speak for an alliance just yet, not without talking to my mate about it. It is something we might consider in the future, if the relationship between the packs continues to thrive." He glanced to Skylaris then, content to show the man King Elk Forest, to claim it as hunting ground. Their markers were present near enough to it, but it couldn't hurt to point it out to the man and walk him around the perimeter. "I'll take you to our grounds, and you can tell me more of your home."

His voice lowered so that only Sky might hear him. "Would you prefer to go back and rest or come along with us?" Her attempt was well noticed, even if he would have rathered her walked around within the safety of the Creek. He wasn't going to insult her by sending her away. On one hand, he would prefer to escort her back to her den and on the other he'd rather her not tire herself by coming along.

She wasn't only pregnant, but she was adjusting to having one less limb. He was quiet as he waited for an answer, but then, before she could speak, he added. "If you're wanting to prove yourself wait until after the birth. You've got nothing to prove to us, as it is Sky, but you'll have plenty of opportunity later if that's what you insist on doing." He raised a brow at her, and offered a soft smile. "Enjoy your pregnancy before it's over, hm?"

Things seemed to be going well, and then Heston turned to Sky and asked if she wished to leave. Honestly, she had wanted to help, but she would probably only slow them down, with her pregnant and three-legged.  "Thank you, Heston." she murmered gratefully. It was most likely better if she rested to ensure the health of her young. With a dip of her head, she briefly excused herself, turning to the other male.

"It was nice meeting you, Arturo. Perhaps I will see more of you, but farewell for now," she nodded again, then turned to pad away. She was thankful that Heston had stopped her from going, since she was indeed tired after continuing to mark the borders, but her mind was crowded with thoughts on how she could continue to help the pack.

Soon enough she disappeared from sight.

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Arturo offers a sage nod to Heston when the man compliments him on going to let the Creek wolves know of Teaghlaigh’s presence. As far as Arturo cares to see: he wants his presence known not by all but by the wolves that are in the closest proximity of him. He had lost control of the Coast and packs had sprouted up in his carelessness without his knowledge and he deigns to keep that from happening in the Hinterlands. Granted, Silver Creek and Golden Glade had been the first to form in the Tuktu Hinterlands but that is hardly something the Fearghal monarch considers. They might have been there first but that does not mean that Arturo and his Teaghlaigh have to be oblivious. Arturo is a man of information and thus it is information he deigns to have. “Of course,” Arturo speaks with understanding when Heston brings up that he cannot promise an alliance without speaking to his mate first. Arturo would expect nothing less. His Family plays major key roles in the decisions and the gangster respects that this process is not to be rushed. “You speak to your mate and I will bring it up with my Family and we can meet on neutral ground if you’d like to further discuss things.” Whether it was a resounding ‘no’ or an acceptance didn’t matter. Arturo was never unwilling to talk business even if it does not always go his way. Being able to to discuss why things don’t and won’t work is all apart of that and it tends to lend respect towards the two parties, in his experience: that they can speak and be civil regardless of what is left to offer, if anything at all.

Teaghlaigh doesn’t necessarily need alliances — they don’t need to rely on other packs for anything — but they are useful tools and Arturo does not falter to attempt to seize opportunity when it arises. “Thank you.” The Fearghal offers the Creek’s Alpha when he offers to show him the Creek’s hunting grounds and waits respectfully, idly, while Heston addresses his heavily pregnant and crippled subordinate. They exchange quiet words and after a few moments the woman turns and departs into the safe confines of their home. The gangster turns his fiery gaze to Heston, waiting for him to take the lead. Arturo follows Heston as the male guides him through their hunting grounds, taking mental notes so that Teaghlaigh does not bother them before the pair split ways and Arturo makes the journey back to his Strath.

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