Swiftcurrent Creek The currents are fast but life is sweet

@Frederick :D

Arlette had heard that a new male had joined the pack. She had met Morwenna, who had been a welcome addition. She could probably say the same about Frederick but she had yet to meet him. It seemed more wolves seemed to find Swiftcurrent. She was glad for it, they could always use the extra paws. Arlette went to find the male inside the territory.

Once she did find him she chuffed in greeting. Oh how fun, another white wolf! The female shot him a kind smile. You must be Frederick. I'm Arlette, she introduced herself. Settling in so far?, she asked. Hoping the answer was yes, otherwise she had some work to do.

Frederick had been sitting at his usual spot by the creek, nosing his pelt, occasionally dipping his snout and paws into the stream to tackle some particularly stubborn imperfections. A clean pelt is a healthy pelt, his mother had always said. And it stuck with him. To be neat and tidy was his mothers' mantra.

The announcement of another, though, caught his attention. His head jerked quickly, ears swivelling to the stranger. Obviously they were a packmate, but Frederick couldn't help but be startled. Oh, hello, he cleared his throat, turning so he could face the woman before he rose to his paws. It's a pleasure, Arlette.

Perhaps he had heard the name in passing. Or maybe it was the fact that they were in the same pack. He hummed for a moment. Good, I think, he said with a nod. Lestan proves to be a friendly face. The man smiled, then, thinking to the oaken fellow who had recruited him in the first place.

Morwenna and Etienne are good, too. Leonore doesn't seem to like me, though, but I'm not too offended. Fred chuckled at the recount of the boisterous pup. She had a faint milk-scent about her. One from a season ago, he assumed. And yet it lingered. I don't mean to assume, he started, careful. But is she yours?

He could see a similarity if so. Both light in pelt. She, actually, matched his own pure-whiteness. Well, it was about time that he met someone with an ivory pelt like his own.

Arlette offered him a quick apologetic glance when she seemed to have startled him in his private moment. It had not been her intention to startle him. Luckily he did not seem cross with her at all. She gently wagged her tail. Likewise, thank you for joining our pack, she spoke politely. She noticed his coat was immaculate, and well groomed. Arlette glanced down at her own muddy paws. There probably was also some puppy spit somewhere in her coat from this morning when two of them decided she was their new practice target. Just the average life of a mother, she thought impishly.

Lestan is a friendly face. I'm glad to hear it, she hummed. I am starting to think Lenore does not like many outside of her litter and mother. It is good you do not take offense, she chuckled. Arlette shook her head gently. She is Suzu's daughter. I wish mine were as quiet as she was at times, the woman joked. Then again, there seemed to be a trade off in friendliness. Mine are very recognizable as they all have a circle around their eye. Their father Arric trademarked them. It was a joke, but she kinda loved that all of them had the mark, no one was excluded.

Arlette seemed to agree with Fred's perceptions of their packmates, though the name 'Suzu' would stick with him, as she was Leonore's mother, and chuckled when she made a comment on her children not being as quiet. Arric is your mate? he hummed, knowing that it had been implied but preferring an answer. Idle chatter. He'd look out for that same ring, then, and know it was the spawn of Arlette and Arric. You're both 'A's. Fred smiled at that.

What's it like, raising pups? He asked, then. His brows were somewhat raised, ears flicking towards the woman in a way that portrayed true curiosity. His mind would pivot to Milan—she liked pups, didn't she?—for a single moment, before he'd quickly push the thought away. I hope they haven't been too difficult on you. A humorous tone decorated his words.

Arlette instantly nodded. Yes, he is, she confirmed. A chuckle formed. Yes, that is right. The female had never though of it in that way. All of leadership has names that start with an 'A', She realized out loud.

You will feel... exhausted, delighted, frustrated, and proud. Sometimes all of those four at the same time, she chuckled. It is hard work but I am glad we are doing this together, and let's not forget the pack. Everyone has been very supportive from the moment I was pregnant until now. I couldn't have done it without them. From wolves that babysit them, to just bring food or things to play with, she hummed. Not too difficult. It is a world of difference if your mate and pack are actively participating.

With her first litter it had been choatic, and also born in a pack that was always causing chaos or fights. It was not a very stable environment while swiftcurrent and arric seemed the opposite. She preferred it this way. Planning on having kids yourself?, she asked with a light tease.

She was quick to confirm that Arric indeed was her mate, also noting that all of leadership had names that begun with the same first letter. Fred smiled at that, though otherwise remained quiet, listening with clear focus as she gave her experience when it came to raising children.

Arlette spoke of the aid of a mate and pack, and a sense of duty, loyalty, flooded him. Some distant part of him yearned to be a father, and it was all too quickly that the image of the doe sprung within his mind once more. He nodded somewhat absent-mindedly, giving a murmur of an I see.

But then she asked him a question. One that made his eyebrows spring upwards as he was slammed back into the current moment, mind almost silencing as he searched, almost desperately for an answer. He cleared his throat. Ah—maybe. Uncertain. Her voice had been somewhat teasing when she asked the question, but Frederick's mouth suddenly felt very dry.

He sighed, then. Relenting. There is someone I've been... seeing. Somewhat. And he wondered if they would ever do, ever become, anything more than that. Or would they just continue to visit, to talk, and to never breach that level?

In the back of his mind, Frederick longed for a ... different ... type of companionship with the Bearclaw woman.

Arlette smiled a little when he seemed uncertain, she did not blame him. It was to some a difficult decision. It perhaps was also a little forward of her to ask. Though Frederick seemed open enough to elaborate more on it. Oh there is?, she asked, curious. Is it someone in this pack? She was curious now, was that the reason for him to join? Sorry that might be incredibly forward of me, she admitted in realization. They just met for the first time and she had just asked about his love life. Oops.

The female chuckled apologetically. But it might be good information, if he fancied someone else outside their ranks there was a chance he might leave, or bring another wolf into their midst.

Someone in this pack? No, and that was the worst part. It's not too forward. he said with a gentle shake of his head. A somewhat solemn sigh escaped his lips. He closed his eyes for a moment, and the doe sprung into his mind. When he opened them, it was only the white, scarred woman sitting in front of him.

She's from Bearclaw Valley, Frederick explained, his tail moving, somewhat on its own accord, to plant firmly by his thigh. A huff as he searched Arlette's gaze. He wondered if she would be disapproving, but he would not, could not, stop talking: Her name is Milan. I met her only a few days after Arric permitted my stay.

And he wondered, then, if this had all been a mistake. But he held out hope. Perhaps this was just a test, and he needed to remain strong. Focused. A breath, two passed, before he would ask for her opinion: I do not know what to do.

Romeo and Juliet, it seemed.

Arlette was relieved to hear that it wasn't too forward of her. It seemed Frederick was an open wolf and didn't mind talking about it. The red eyed female shot him a smile. She didn't have a problem with him having a crush or well, perhaps love with another wolf in another pack. Eventually that would mean one would join them, or he might leave.

Ah, well at least they are close by, she offered positively. Arlette was not familiar with the wolf he spoke of. What do you mean? You can always meet her on neutral ground, she offered. Do you know if she fancies you back?, she asked curiously. Because you might need to do some flirting and ask her on dates to find out, she offered. She had rather liked to be woo'ed by Arric. It made her see him in a different light.

She was right, and they had been. He nodded as he recalled the memories: the meadow, the glade—they typically did meet on 'neutral ground', though he did wish to one day invite her to the creek. Or for her to invite him to the valley. His brows raised, then, when she asked if he knew whether or not she 'fancied him back'.

How would I know if she does? Fred murmured, quiet, almost a little bit insecure. I have never flirted or been on dates before. Was he too inexperienced? Would this not just make things harder? He shuffled, a quiet embarrassment warming his skin. Surely there were wolves younger than him getting more romance than he did.

A sigh: I need some pointers, if you wouldn't mind. Some tips.

Arlette smiled bigger. This was a wonderful topic to her, and something she didn't get to speak often about. Frederick seemed kind and willing to learn. It was endearing. Well there are signs, she assured him. I can only speak to myself, each female can be different, she stated, wanting to clear that out of the way.

Well, first. If she wants to spend time with you. That is step 1. So I think you got that covered. It also is a sign that she comes to seek you out instead of you chasing after her, she offered. But that was still on friendship level, but one would have to get to that point first. You can give her little compliments about things you like about her. Depending on her reaction you can see if she likes such things.

Arlette paused and looked back at her relationship with Arric, and other past mates. With my first love there was a shared interest of healing that made us bond. With my second mate it was very different. He kind of stole me away from a situation I was in need to escape from. And with Arric.... Well, we bonded over deep conversation and kinship. I had to peel back many layers, and each time I learned more about him he became even prettier to me. We were friends, pack mates and nothing more until we both started to see each other differently by doing things together. Talking about situations and moments, how that made us feel, she offered. What I mean by all of this is that there are many ways to love, or a relationship. So don't overthink it, she encouraged. Do what feels right.

he nodded as she explained. i've complimented her before, i think, he murmured, then, thinking of their second meeting wherein he had called her resourceful. did that count as a compliment? he wasn't particularly sure. hmmm...

and as she spoke about her love with arric, frederick found himself envious, wishing for something like that with milan, if only he could impress her enough. he rolled his shoulders back, then, taking a breath. yeah, i'll, uh, i'll try. a breath.

i'm going to go think, frederick said, then, standing. thank you for the tips, arlette. and he would give a polite nod of his head. if she had nothing else to say, he would turn away, and head back to his den, tail flicking back and forth.

exit fred !!

Arlette dipped her head, she could imagine it was a lot to think about. She smiled at him. Alright, of course, she spoke. She hoped it would work between them. Though she had a feeling he would probably leave them to be with her, unless, the girl liked the creek better. She also wasn't sure if they were that far in their relationship. Though, Arlette loved love and liked to hear about it.

Goodluck, she wished him, and then also left to go her own way.

- fin -