Redhawk Caldera Extending an apple branch

Neither of them has howled yet but they can be seen/heard at the borders. @Towhee @Ruenna @Fennec

Side by side Aliana trailed besides @Āzon as together they made their way up the slope and to the 'gates' of the Caldera. She stared out beyond the borders with an uneasy expression on her face before looking to Azon, " ...You sure they'll accept me...?" She asked Azon quietly, looking around briefly for an approaching figure. After momentarily meeting their Alpha, she was unsure if she'd welcome here with open paws... She wasn't sure if anyone has seen them yet but the two of them, specially she a Loner, standing at their borders like this would look strange ...

" ...You sure they'll accept me...?"

"Hm? Why th'hell wouldn't they?" The Tundrian argued back with a smirk.

Āzoniol couldn't help but wonder where the ursine woman was wandering nowadays and after running into her during a trip outside the borders this afternoon, he didn't wish to return here without dragging her along with him. It was kinda like a giddy child dragging their friend by the hand to show them something cool -- all with a stupid smile on his face, of course.

The pale sire didn't doubt Aliana would make a great asset to the pack. The woman was strong and a capable hunter to top it off -- he'd experienced such with his own eyes back during their first run in. They could use some more hunters as most of the Caldera's children were basically old enough to start eating solids, it looked like. Āzon only hoped the rest would give her a chance to prove that much...

As the two wolves approached, the guard wasted no time dipping his head back to send out a howl for their upper ranks. He did not exactly run into the Sovereign as of recently and assumed she was still outside the territory (ignorant to any of the recent events), and was more or less expecting Fennec or Ruenna to make an appearance.

It was about time for @Killdeer to start seeing the world outside. His mom wasn't one to start small, so that meant today she'd taken him on a tour. And, as a result, she had him when Āzon called.

She set him down before she walked up to the pair and gave him a quiet press with her nose. Stay here. Or I'll kick your ass, okay, Killer? Her expression was (mostly) serious. She'd had a talk (alright, a bit of a yell) last time he disobeyed, but had no idea how well any of it stuck.

Hey, Āzon. She said, approaching but keeping her attention behind for now. She scented a stranger but assumed, from the howl, their presence here was fine. Presumably a visitor or a joiner. Who're you? There was nothing, outside of context, to indicate who she was talking to.

 Aliana smiled at Azon and watched as he howled out for the higher ups with such a baritone note. And it wasn't long before a smaller, lighter colored wolf  approached from the other side of the borders. It took Aliana a moment to notice her milky white eye as a sign of blindness but she still bowed her head respectfully, assuming they were one of the Higher ups.

She take a quiet deep breath before speaking, "My name is Aliana. I've been traveling for a bit now, scrounging for food and looking for a home. Till my companion, Azon, suggested I join your pack... I'm a good and capable Hunter and Defender. And if you allow me to join your pack, I assure you that you won't regret it..." Aliana replied in a somewhat formal yet friendly tone.

Can be skipped the next couple of rounds if necessary :D

It wasn't long before the scent of milk came rolling down from the territory, and soon enough Fennec would make an appearance to confront them both. "Evenin' Fennec. " the Tundrian greeted back before stepping some paces away to give these two space for introduction. Aliana didn't need help explaining herself -- she was perfectly capable of showing her strength on her own, Āzon thought. Even so, he'd stay close to let the woman know he was there to check on her and see that things went smoothly. 

Speaking of Fennec, the guard hadn't really met the child she recently gave birth to, as the only kids that ran rampant around the Caldera were Towhee's own. He assumed that the girl obviously didn't want him lurking around her den to find out, but he took note to check up on both of them again someday. I mean, he did promise her a spar afterall....

She listened as Aliana presented her case. She knew Āzon well enough that his judgement was probably fine, but it felt pretty damn good to have someone's fate rest in her paws.

Too good to let it go that easily. She took on a deliberating affectation. Won't regret it, huh? Well. I'll have to test you, first. Her tail twitched with a hint of mischief.

What was a good test? Hmm. Oh, oh... she had one that would make her squirm. Let's say I attack my mom. Who do you back? This should be good.

Aliana pondered on the question for a good moment, her eyes closing in thought...before opening.

"Well, it very much depends on the situation. If you were seemingly just attacking for no reason, I'd put myself between the both of you until I've heard from both sides. Then I'd make my decision on who to side with ...Unless it's an proper challenge for Leadership.” A pack was supposed to work as a whole, any grievances should be said now less it grows to be problem for the entire pack. The two heads of a Pack fighting, even not literally, can resonate down to even the lowest wolf in the ring. The quickest way to cause a Pack's bonds to unravel and for them to scatter to the winds.

"Your mother... she's a black and orangeish she-wolf, yes? The one that was searching for food for her pregnant daughter a day or two ago? She's very... strong..."

Wow, her answer was serious. And she didn't squirm with it near enough for Fennec's liking, which was pretty much the only way to get the answer wrong. She supposed she couldn't really turn her away for it, but it docked her points in the girl's mind.

(Not that those points were... really something she should want.)

There's a few answers. I'd have taken 'Stand back and watch the show' or 'Viva la revolution' but I suppose yours works okay, she answered, too straight-faced for the obvious absurdity of her words. Then, finally, she cracked a smile. Welcome to Redhawk Caldera. Yeah, she is. You'll meet her soon, I'm sure. She wasn't up for meeting anyone right now but Fennec was optimistic she'd have her back on her feet soon.

//One more, maybe two, more replies? then we can wrap this thread up. //

Aliana's head tilted, confused until it clicked like a switch flipped in his head. She was joking...or at least it sounded like it, her straight face didn't help in her realization then a smile cracked. She breathed out a quiet relieved sigh before smiling herself, tail wagging.

She chuckled lightly, "Eh, you can never be too careful about such questions. Best to answer truthfully, lest you risk getting chewed out. Nonetheless, thank you ... Fennec..." She bows her head respectfully to Fennec before looking to @Āzon with a smile, "Well... what are we waiting for? Show me around the territory - I want to get a feel of the place."

Gotcha <3

A smile snuck its way onto the man's lips when Fennec spoke, one that was meant to hold in the laughter that threatened to leak out. Upon hearing Aliana's response, however, he had to turn his head away to let out a sharp snort. Āzon could only imagine Fennec's dissapont meant towards such a straight forward answer, but was to busy trying not to heave that he didn't really get a look at the Regent's face.

By the time he calmed himself down and turned back up, Ali turns her attention to him asking to give her a tour, and who was he to reject such an offer? 

"Don't mind if I do~"

and with the acceptance part set and done the Tundrian would turn to leave, looking back a few times to see if the ursine woman would follow suit.