Silver Creek Hello from the Other Side

Thread one of three!

It was very much like Heston to seek a challenge. Upon arriving in the Teekon Wilds he had spent his time wandering about to get his bearings. He found many claimed territories, many packs within the separate areas. He had continued to wander, gathering what information he could of the packs on the wind. He kept his distance from the borders but noted all the same that many wolves within the packs looked thinner than he would expect. He, himself, was thin but only because he'd been living on his own. He'd had few opportunities to feast on large prey without a pack, only occasionally having managed to bind together with others to hunt a true meal. He had never encounter locust himself, but assumed some kind of widespread tragedy had occurred. Though the lands lacked the charred evidence, he had assumed fire. None of the lands he had observed had managed to catch his eye though. It wasn't until he entered the Hinterlands and felt the terrain testing his body that he felt true interest rise.

For a while he wondered if there might not be any packs living in such a treacherous area. He'd begun to turn over the different packs he'd already passed in his head, trying to remember which he had liked the best. It was then that he had caught the first scent of Silver Creek's borders, though he wouldn't know the name yet. He sought the border, reading the markings left there and learning what he could from scent. He found nothing there that set off warnings in his mind, but rather than lurk or pray he found another loner nearby, he decided he would linger a polite but close distance to the border. He was far enough away to not be mistaken for a trespasser, but close enough to notice any scouts.

He left his own marking on a tree or two outside the border, rubbings from his side as well as the typical urine. It would alert the others to his presence, should he be away fetching food or water. It was an unthreatening message, reading simply: I am here, I mean no harm. He thought that would suffice for his purposes and that he'd linger here for a while to learn about the pack. Should he chance upon a loner he'd ask them about the pack as well. He liked a challenge, like this terrain, but he did not fancy swearing fealty to a leader or pack he knew nothing about. He'd refused once before, and he was not about to start surrendering to those who slaughtered and did not keep their word now.

Spring was patrolling the borders when she caught the nearby scent of an unfamiliar male.  Her senses bumped up on alertness and then the Alpha proceeded towards the scent.  She was pretty close and proceeded at a swift place so she stood before the wolf in at the most a minute.  For a quick moment Spring analyzed him, taking in all of his visable physical features.  The Alpha's tail flagged and her eyes raised to his with clear dominance shinning within them.  "What brings you to Silver Creek?"  She asked the male in a strong, yet feminine voice.

While waiting for an answer Spring continued to stare into the males eyes and flag her tail to show off dominance, but now there was not only dominace shinning bright in her features, there was curiousity too.  Curiousity about what had brought him to Silver Creek.

The female's approach surprised him, he wasn't expecting to be met so soon. At first he thought she might simply be remarking the borders, but soon he noted the intentness of her path and knew she was headed for him. He rose to his feet, tail fanning once or twice at the back of his legs to show his friendliness. She soon stood before him, body held in the posture of an alpha. They both took a moment to observe each other quickly. She was around his age, which was another surprise. In his home alphas were typically older, normally around five or six. That wasn't to say he thought her incapable or unworthy, he merely logged it as a cultural difference. She bore many scars along her body, a history of battle told on flesh. Scars were a fickle thing, they could spell out both victory and defeat. He was curious about her scars, wondered which they had foretold for her, what battles she had bled for.

He dipped his head to her and kept his tail hanging loosely; a small smirk pulled the scarred side of his muzzle upwards. A polite acknowledgement of her rank and an expression of his own lackthereof. He met her eyes for a moment, but glanced away to again show respect for her rank in these lands. "I suppose you would say it was the land. The wilderness around here is much more difficult than my home, generally speaking. I enjoy a challenge." He met her eyes again, that charming smirk slanting into view once more. "I'm not from around here, I've been a loner for a while now. This area has my interest and your pack- Silver Creek, is it? Seems to be the only pack that has claimed it's own piece of this challenge. That interest me too. So I thought I might linger here, try to meet a member of the pack. I never dared to think I'd meet the leader, but I've been called lucky before." 

He smiled at her fully now, eyebrow raising slightly in what he thought was a handsome way. Normally he'd have mentioned the fact that she was an attractive female somewhere in there but he didn't know her well enough. Some females like to flirt, some did not. He would not push his luck. "I wanted to know more about your pack, your ways." He was not asking to join, not directly, he simply wanted more information to make an informed decision. "I did not mean to impose, nor to insult your borders with my presence. You have my apologies if you feel I have done so. My name is Heston, might I ask yours?" He blinked at her, meeting her eyes once more.

Spring observed the male carefully.  Her hackles rose the slightest in a sign of defensivness when he met her eyes for a moment, taking it as a show of domiance from the loner.  Still Spring would give him a second chance and so she slowly lowered her hackles.  Spring also found herself wanting him to show her more signs of submission, still she supposed that friendliness was okay too.  Spring found herself unsure of what to think when the male called Silver Creek a challenge, still she supposed he was right.  Silver Creek had taken a challenge and hit due to the locust famine.  It had really begun to thin out her wolves and the land looked pretty gone, but recently Spring had seen signs of new growth, so the Alpha was hoepful for what the future might bring.  When the gray male asked about Silver Creek and it's ways though, Spring snapped up to full attention and then was grateful soon after when the male gave her his name, Heston and then asked for hers.

"Pleasure to meet you Heston."  Spring began in a solemn voice, but kept her features domiant.  Tail flagged, standing tall, etc.  "I am glad that Silver Creek interests you.  I am Spring, and as you have already guessed, the Alpha of Silver Creek."  Spring paused for a moment, considering what to say to Heston about Silver Creek for a few moments before continuing.  "Silver Creek has survived through much and has recently relocated."  Although Spring made no mention of where her pack had relocated from, just in case this wolf decided that he didn't want to stay with Silver Creek and ended up with Reek somehow and told him of a pack called Silver Creek which had relocated from Phoenix Maplewood.  Spring knew that that was a huge leap and probably would nto happen, but you never really could be to careful she supposed.  "Silver Creek over all though is a very wonderful pack, I could imagine no place better."  Spring explained to Heston, with a small smile for a few seconds, then once again went back to seriousness.  "Are you looking to join Silver Creek?"  Spring then asked Heston, although Spring was sure that the male would say yes, due to the fact that he seemed to be going through Silver Creek's joining procedure.

He noted the bristling of her hackles as their eyes met for the small time they had. He took note of this, that she was sensitive to any sign of aggression. Maybe it had to do with his size, he was a large wolf. Maybe it had to do with his gender. It could have been both. Perhaps still it was something within her own self. She was around his age, perhaps leadership was new on her shoulders and she was wary of any threats to her title. Whatever the reason, he made a point to not glance into her eyes again. He, of course, couldn't know of the pack's history, nor the danger the pack might be in.

He dipped his head to her greeting, keeping his posture unthreatening. At hearing they had recently relocated, he was slightly confused and definitely interested. He  had noted her pause, the flash of thoughts over her face before she had spoken the word relocation. He would not press her for details, though he did not hide the interest or wonder from his face. It would be clear he wanted to ask, that he was clueless of whatever had transpired to cause such. He nodded in reply to her words, glancing towards the territory itself. "Your lands certainly seem lovely, Alpha Spring." He refined his speech, deciding that perhaps she wanted more politeness from him in this moment, less flirty and joking. 

"Now that I have spoken to you, I believe I am. I had originally simply wanted to learn more about the pack, that's why I waited here to catch someone's eye." He couldn't keep the smirk of his face, though, the charming little smile. But he reigned himself in. There would be time enough to charm and shamelessly flirt once other's learned her meant no harm by it. Besides, though he smelled no male on her fur he couldn't be sure Spring wasn't spoken for and he certainly didn't want to insult the alpha male he was attempting to join under. "Talking to you about the pack though, you seem a decent wolf. I have seen far too many wolves in leadership with questionable morals, though. I wanted to be sure I wouldn't be pledging myself to a tyrant, a brute. But I don't think I would be, not if you are the leader." His eyes flashed with some remembered pain, and he nodded his head, serious for a moment.

He was making an assumption, of course, for there was nothing to stop Spring from being a cruel beast as a leader. He didn't think she was though, not have rule young as she was. She seemed capable, smart. "If you could promise me that, then Silver Creek most certainly seems the place for me, Alpha Spring." He dipped his head lower this time, more submissively, and bent slightly lower. He was not unwilling to show deference to her, but he wasn't sure an outright submission was what she wanted here. Had she asked it, he'd gladly offer his muzzle or scruff for her to grip,  or display his belly (however degrading that act may be). He just didn't know how her pack did things. For some, a sharing of scent was enough, others required the full and formal submission but in his experience, the formal submission had to be asked for. He was not being purposely rude or resistant, just ignorant of their customs.

Spring listened quietly while Heston spoke.  She was glad to hear that Heston supposedly thought that the lands were lovely from what he said.  Although Spring did personally think that calling her "Alpha Spring" was a little too over the top in politeness, still at least it was something.  It was the thought that counted after all... right?  As the male contiuned on to speak about how he was looking to join Silver Creek, Spring was delighted.  It would be great to contiune stocking up on the ranks in her pack.  Yet Spring would not allow him to just instantly join into pack life, he would need to get aquanted with other wolves first... only then would she consider allowing Heston into Silver Creek.

Spring soon found herself grattified and truelly humbled by Heston when he just assumed that she seemed like a decent wolf, not some tyrant or a brute.  Something with the way that Heston said it made Spring feel very special.  It was sweet in a way, sort of charming even.  Spring then listened quietly as Heston contiuned on to speak about how if she could promise him that she was no tyrant or brute that Silver Creek seemed like the place for him.  Spring was soon filled with pride when Heston showed her a sign of submission.

Spring stayed silent for a minute, before she began to speak.  "I am very glad that my lands of Silver Creek catch your eye as they have mine.  I am happy to know that you are interested in joining too, it would be good to have newer members begin to help fill up our ranks, especially in a famine like this one when it is good for wolves to band together to survive."  Spring paused here to take a few breaths and also just to take a break from so much talking for a few seconds.  After about tenish seconds the Alpha began to speak once more.  "I am glad that I do not appear to you as a tyrant or brute, because I am not.  Although Silver Creek is ultimatly under my rule, we are not a tyrancy, but we are not a diplomacy either I must say.  Although I do respect my pack's opinion and will always take their ideas and plans for Silver Creek into consideration."  Spring did her best to explain.

"So yes, I can promise you all that Heston."  Spring told her possible future subordinate with a faint friendly smile.  The Alpha of Silver Creek found herself beginning to enjoy the personality of this wolf and found herself even more than that hoping that he did end up deciding to live here.  Just something about Heston made her want him to decide to stick around.

He was pleased that he had read her well. His small adjustments to his tone and posture seemed to have appeased her. He saw a subtle swell of pride in her breast at his words about liking her homeland. She also seemed to approve of his desire wanting to join her pack, but he was no spring chicken. He knew that it likely would not be a simple as speaking his intent. His ears perked at the word famine, then flicked backwards in a solemn way. He'd had his suspicions about some form of tragedy befalling this area. He had noted, on his travel and observations of other packs, that some had seemed thin to his standards for pack wolves. Hearing her confirm it, he glanced briefly towards the plantlife. He'd noted the new growth swarming the lands...but he'd not noticed any fiery remains. He was puzzled what exactly could have happened here, for he had never encountered a locust swarm and couldn't know the deadly consequences of one.

He smiled as she, full of pride and confidence, assured him that she was not a tyrant. He believed her, believed the emotion behind those words. This was another leap of faith on his part, for she could simply be a wonderful liar, but he didn't believe so. Something about Spring's demeanor made him want to trust and believe her, so he did. He returned her smile, careful to keep from meeting her gaze. He didn't ask about the famine just yet, though he wished to. That could come later. "I don't expect a diplomacy. You are alpha, it is you who leads and makes decisions. You pack, I expect, trusts you and your judgement. I would too, if I were accepted. I merely do not follow those who would backstab another for their gain, for example. I would follow you, though, I think. Given the chance." He smirked again, the obvious intention of her not seeming like such a wolf hanging in the air. 

"And, I would assume, that your mate is equally as good a wolf as you, so I would follow him too. If you have one, that is?" He raised a brow questioningly. She'd not mentioned a mate yet, nor did he directly scent one on her, but he while he would make assumptions on her character, he wouldn't on her status. It was, of course, a subtle flirt, but he believed it polite enough to pass. "Either way, Alpha Spring, what must I do so that you - and Silver Creek- can call me one of your own?" His voice was warm and interested, he was willing to do what she tasked him with.

Spring stood quietly and listened as Heston spoke.  She very much approved that he seemed to be respecting her decisions as a leader so far from what he had heard.  Although she found herself thinking of a few singled out wolves who in fact did not like her for taking over the leadership when Heston assumed that her pack trusted her. Some did.  Others didn't.  Spring hoped that the ones who did not like her would start to convert into liking her, although that did seem like a pretty big leap.  Miracles could always happen though.  She made no mention of this mistrust, but instead just nodded at Heston's words, careful not to give anything about that whole story away.  That story could possibly be saved for another time if Heston decided to join.

Heston then started talking about this mate that she supposedly had, when Spring of course didn't, not yet at least.  Right after though he seemed to backtrack and question if she did have a mate, if Spring were human she would have been blushing fiercly at this, but she was only wolf.  Spring did her best to keep sorta neutral through this except for a single nervous smile, that flickered across her features for only seconds, as she listened for anything else that Heston had to say.

When Heston soon after the mate question asked how he could join Silver Creek, Spring quickly knew the exact answer to that.  He would have to start to blend into the pack, by the borders of course, until he finally seemed to fit in with them.  Of course a member of Silver Creek could always drive him away though if Heston turned out to be the complete oposite of how he was acting right now or something similar to that, or of course if he got to far into pack territory to early.

After a few econds hesitation Spring began to speak.  "I am glad to hear that you agree with my Leadership Heston."  Spring began, giving the grey male a warm smile.  "Although I must say that I do not have a mate, not yet at least.  I am the sole Alpha, and I have a Beta here by the name of Laika.  We are the only current leaders of Silver Creek."  Spring then told Heston, hoping to quickly clear up that mate bussiness for the moment.  Spring paused for a few seconds more, taking a few breaths, before contiuning.  "As to joining Silver Creek, our policy is that you must start to blend in the with the pack.  Although while you are doing this you must make sure to stay near the borders, because if you get to close to the cente of our land while you are still in the process of joining, it can and will be taken as threat, which will result in you getting chased of."  Spring stopped for a moment.  "Although I am sure that you have sense not to do this Heston.  You seem like a pretty good wolf after all so far.  Once you have completed fitting in with Silver Creek you will be accepted in as a member of Silver Creek."  Spring finished and then waited quietly in case Heston had anything else to say.

Spring listened to all that he had to say, waiting patiently for him to finish. He did take note of the small smile that flickered so briefly across her face at the mention of a mate. He arched his brow again, that roguish smirk playing across his face. Perhaps she was not taken, which meant his flirting could continued unhindered. That was a concern for later, of course, but his smirking smile faded from his face slowly. He dipped his head politely to her in response to her comment on his supporting her leadership, returning the smile. She spoke now on her lack of a mate and his brows rose as twins, surprised. His faced formed into one of disbelief, but he did not speak just yet.

Her true instruction came next and he straightened himself, listening intently. He certainly didn't want to be chased for anything other than play, or perhaps kisses...compliments...he certainly didn't want to be chased off permanently in any case. He grinned at the compliment that followed his own though, chest swelling slightly. It all seemed reasonable enough, a little more complex than other packs he had seen but easier than ones that had required gifts and offerings. He nodded, tail swishing the air. "I am glad to hear that you believe me to have sense. And that you think I'm pretty," He paused a moment, then jokingly continued. "A pretty good wolf, that is." He smirked again, then shook his head. 

"I'm sorry, I am inclined to jokes as I hope you'll come to know. I will be happy to follow your customs to seek a place among your ranks. Once I have properly blend myself into the pack...will there be an official joining? A ceremony perhaps? I do not want to linger on the borders longer than I need, especially if I could make better use of myself for you, for the pack." He  was serious now, unsure of all the ways of Silver Creek.

As Spring listened to Heston she found herself at ease, laughing softly at his joke, which she found to be quite entertaining.  She even found herself hoping for more puns or jokes from Heston, but soon things went back to more serious matters about the ways of Silver Creek.  Heston's question was a good one, that Spring had to think about for a few moments, but soon the answer came to mind.

"To become a true member of Silver Creek you must actively try to start to blend in with the pack.  As soon as I see you fit, (after three threads in Silver Creek, where Heston was not chased out) I will confront you and you will be welcomed into the ranks of Silver Creek."  Spring did her best to explain, hoping that it made as much sense to Heston as it did to her.

She had liked his joke, which sent him grinning again. He liked that she had liked it and made a note to share his humor with her more. It was no good to make a joke that no one laughed at. He was almost sorry that he had to turn the conversation back to more serious matters, but he needed to know how things would go if he meant to stay to tell such jokes. Spring thought for a moment and Heston waited quietly, his tail swishing easily behind his hind legs. It was a comfortable silence, not one that was demanding and empty. He found it a good sign for his future here, that silences with the Alpha did not seem to demand to be filled. It was a sign of good company, in his experience.

Her explanation was simple and straightforward. He nodded his great head, a grin rising on his muzzle once more. "That is one confrontation I will look forward to, Alpha Spring." He was pleased with the way things had gone, with the way the pack appeared from this encounter. With such a good natured leader, it was likely the majority of the pack would share her good naturedness. There were always certain wolves who were more akin to storm clouds, of course, but he had high hopes. This was the start of his future, of his new life. He only hoped it would end better than his previous life, his previous pack. For a moment the memories swarmed over him, he recalled his first meeting with his old leader. He kept the smile on his maw but turned to look into the distance. When he spoke again he was serious once more, and sincere.

"I have high hopes for my future here, Alpha Spring. I thank you for the opportunity and your kind words today, whatever the outcome may be." He dipped his head again, smiling softly.

Fade with your next post?

Spring was glad to see Heston very understanding and agreeing to the topic of how to join Silver Creek.  She had high hopes about Heston, just as he claimed to have high hopes for his future here in Silver Creek.  She reutrned his sincere gaze with her own and then began to speak.  "I am glad that you seem to appreciate Silver Creek, Heston.  It would be a pleasure to have you here if you decide to stay."  Spring told him in a solemn tone.  "I wish you much luck Heston."  Spring told the grey male.  Then she made her leave, with one little respective dip of her head and her now warm honey colored gaze sliding over him.  Then she left, hoping that Heston would prove to be as good as he seemed to appear to her.

As Spring padded away she found herself for some reason unable to get the joking, nice presence of Heston out of her head.  So after many tries to get the image of Heston out of her head, the Alpha still found herself thinking about the male, this time only deciding to not hold back on her thoughts.  She soon found herself wondering what everyone else in Silver Creek would think of Heston.  Would they enjoy him as she had?  Or dislike him?  She hoped that they liked him as much as she did, but who knew.  Only time could really tell.

Sure thing!

He smiled at Spring's kind words and nodded his head. He could sense their conversation was coming to a close. He hoped it wasn't the last time they spoke, but he had greatly enjoyed their conversation here today. As full of serious topic matter as it had been, he'd found it refreshing to be able to joke and tease with someone again. "The pleasure would be all mine, Alpha Spring." He said, flashing her another smirk. He dipped his head to her again, lower this time as she was leaving. His own orange gaze slid over her form in turn as she turned to walk away. "Thank you, I hope we meet again soon." He replied to her back. He watched her go until she was out of sight, unmoving from his spot. 

Now that she was facing away he let his eyes admire her form and figure, the power in her legs and the ripple of muscle under her fur. The pack might have suffered a famine, and perhaps it could be said that she could have used a meal or two...but there was no denying her beautiful and physically fit body. His tail waved slowly as she faded from view, vanishing over a rise in the terrain. He stood for a moment and continued to watch where she had vanished, a small grin playing on his muzzle. She'd had a pretty laugh, he'd need to joke so that he could hear it more. His first impression had gone well, he thought, very well. Now he need only obey her rules, which were easy enough. It would be agonising to linger on the borders when other wolves roamed so close...but he could do it. For Silver Creek. For Spring.

Finally he gave a sigh, seeing one last flash of the honey-eyed female grinning in his mind. He would make his way along the borders, discover what he could from this side. He was not a wolf to sit idly by, he would learn something while on this probation period.