Swiftcurrent Creek the second theory

beep beep there's a granny at your border.

Adventure had never scared her, evening as she climbed in age. Her chance for injury was certainly higher at this age but her wisdom was also better -- usually keeping her away from sticky situation. Granted she also seemed to have to stop for breaks more often in order to not strain her own body. Perhaps that was why she had stopped now, catching her breath and considering finding a drink. Or maybe it was the fact that she smelled the obvious signs of a pack just right up in front of her.

Svala was no fool and she knew better than to waltz right through for her own benefit. Hell she was pushing her luck even resting outside of their borders like this. She could only hope these wolves had enough manners to not strike her down. Granted she wouldn't blame them if they did. She would have done the same thing a year or two ago.

after his interaction with the last stranger who had come over their borders, mahler had remained hypervigilant. and yet he was aware that winter was upcoming; without more wolves, the children might be in danger of hunger. or starvation, of which he did not like to think. his own efforts had become rote; mahler found himself along the scent-marked border strengthening swiftcurrent's claim when the dark-tangled woman approached.
the gargoyle did not start; his ash-tipped hackles bristled and he stepped closer but did not threaten her. his stance was inquiring, however; mahler leveled his hard lavender eyes upon her in silence.

Her patrol began along their Southernmost border, though she found the territory outskirts to have been freshly marked. At once, she detected the familiar scent of Mahler, the gargoyle who'd come from the coast, and the corner of her mouth twitched upward in a fleeting smirk. Swiftcurrent Creek's wolves, despite the drop in numbers, continued to thrive in other ways.

Durnehviir followed the path anyway, reinforcing the pack's claim by trailing the length of her frame along every rock and tree she passed, and delivering a stronger deposit in the form of urine here and there. Having only recently reclaimed her title as leader, it was only appropriate that she become an active presence among the wolves again, and so quickened her stride to catch up to her dark-furred comrade.

When she found him, he was not alone. An older female, perhaps twice the dragoness' own age, hovered just beyond their claim. The Alphess bristled, tail swinging to arch dominantly over her trim hindquarters, and she pressed onward toward Mahler to draw up alongside him with a low rumble of appreciation for his find. "Is there something you require?" Durnehviir asked, not bothering with pleasantries or introductions. Her main focus with strangers at her land was, always, why they were there.

There was a figure that first arrived like a swarthy shadow, silent and watching. Her burnt-orange gaze swiftly raked over his form with ease. Ya look like one o'my sons. She commented offhandedly -- not yet explaining her doings since she thought it was pretty obvious she wasn't about to start chomping at anyone. Then again, not too long ago, she had been on the other side of this.

The next figure was obviously a female with those angles. Fiery hues that rivaled even the brightest wildfires. This one actually said something too.

Svala slumped down onto her rear as she acknowledged the female with a toothy grin that was nothing but genuine. A younger body again. A soft chuckle escaped her before it faded off and for a brief moment, Svala had an almost sad face. She was quick to hide the sorrow though. I'll be outta ya fur soon enough, I promise. Ya know us old ladies though, ain't useful to walk a mile.

mahler was unmoved by her murmur. his mother, insofar as he knew, was dead, and he had retained little about her. the tendril of royal scent that announced the alpha female's arrival stilled him from taking a step further. she was direct; the musiker appreciated such things.
however, his lilac gaze did not part with the stranger; he stood silent and immense alongside durnehviir, awaiting her word to depart or move forward upon the interloper.

The stranger was so... relaxed, in the presence of two younger and clearly defensive wolves. This response roused new curiosity in Durnehviir, who flickered a ginger ear in confusion at the other female's attempt at comedy. She had not anticipated such an offhanded retort to her question and, unsure how to react, the russet Alphess furrowed her brow in thought and lashed her tail.

Her pale eyes sought Mahler's briefly, seeking to exchange a glance with him in search of his support, but the gargoyle remained silent. Durnehviir returned her gaze to the unfamiliar she-wolf again, and asked: "are you from around here?"

it was a small conversation and the elder wolf was set off again. he glanced to the dragonness; a roll of his shoulders was given. hard lilac eyes turned back to the border; he would watch until the old interloper had disappeared from view of his eyes, as was his duty.