King Elk Forest Somebody clip your wings?

@Grace

Novak had returned to Teekon, he hadn't had much purpose the last time he was in the wilds, it'd been so long since he had a place to call home or a group to call family. Maybe it was best to be alone - he wasn't sure. Now, it was all aimless and without meaning. Each step and thought and action was pointless and lead to nothing. It wasn't all that bad though, he had fun discovering the things beyond his military pack that had been hidden away from him. Such as the way the sunsets across a wide ocean or a butterlfy landing on his nose. His paws pressed agaisnt that hard, but oddly muddy ground. Barely feeling any of the bitter cold, his fur and muscle contained all the heat he needed. 

Maybe it was just one, very, very, long vacation. Time to have him really look at small things he'd been missing his whole life, such as the way his warm air and the winter combined to form an airy puff from his nose every time he breathed. It was something mesmerizing, but easily moved on from. Just to find yet another, small perspective changing detail in the world among him that was once so hidden. Novak was once a strong, fighting, warrior. Never beat, but now it seemed he was at his weakest free. Despite gaining even more strength than before.

Have to be vague about her admittance/joining Silver Creek for now since the threads aren't complete yet but she's totally gunna try to bring him in too lol

Despite being tied now to Silver Creek, Grace didn't stop wandering -- she didn't even go far today, really, compared to some days finding herself close to Heartha's homeland -- and this afternoon was no different. Originally, she'd been heading to Tuktu Weir for more water-bound plants she could collect seeds from, but the looming shadow of another rose before her. 

Her first reaction, for the first time in her life, was not fear: her golden gaze trailed across the creamy pelt, noting each dark speckle and blot, admiring the splash of white across his chest and face even though the frame it covered was irrevocably male. 

When she reached the face, however, and saw the flash of his blue eyes, her ears fanned back and she lowered herself almost completely to the ground; unfortunatley, there was no proper undergrowth in the winter that could hide her russet and inky pelt, and she was left there, tail curled over the awkwardly jutting leg and clinging to her side. Her jaws parted only enough to allow the tip of her tongue to stick out and pant anxiously, and she did not speak, but her eyes cling to his face in search of a reaction.... Had he even seen her?

Sounds good! I'd love to be apart of it

The towering wolf's dark nose that stood out amongst his light flavored fur twitched - someone was close by. His crystally eyes darted down to notice a russet colored girl covered in scars, instantly catching on to her flaxen eyes and holding on to an uncomfortable silence. He glanced away awkwardly, his ear jerked slightly, as though indecisive to lower or not. 

Novak cleared his throat, not expecting to see another wolf out here, perhaps he was close to a pack. "Hello..." His voice was coarse and husky, reverberating faintly in the back of his throat. Her stance seemed uncoordinated and strange - even more so than he felt to be caught off guard. 

The brute shifted slightly, waiting for her reaction. He wasn't used to interaction with others beyond his old pack, and didn't wang to come off odd or pecuiler. Though, she seemed to be the one expressing those traits at the moment.

He was, in fact, swift to notice her, but did not at once react more than she had -- whether it was his own problems or her own weirdness keeping him uncertain, she didn't know -- but eventually broke said silence. His voice seemed underused, like he was very thirsty, and at once her brain was skittering to the stock of tansy that might ease it, or the honey she wished she had. 

Nodding her head, Grace echoed a greeting, tacking on her name out of politeness -- he didn't seem like he was going to hurt her, but some wolves seemed normal until the littlest things set them off. Who knew what kind of a man this one was? 

                       "H-Hello. I-I'm Grace."

Her voice was quiter than his own, and definately softer. Novak nodded in response, having seen another wolf do it once. "I am Novak," he felt impulsive to end it with guardian of the lord, but he was no longer his past self, no longer with purpose. 

The wolf altered his stance again, out of nervousness. He didn't wish to come across as unsociable. "Why are you here?" It was a strange question to ask, especially since he couldn't answer it himself - but Novak was too oblivious to notice how weird it may be to ask a stranger on neutral ground. He eyed her leg for a moment, staring at it's awkward position before clearing his throat amd returning to look into her glowing eyes.

His movements seemed awkward, and whether he was undersocialized or trying to make her feel better she didn't know, but it eased her mind a bit -- her legs pulled her up to a standing position and, though she held her head and tail low, crept closer to the strange man. His name rang in her ears, Novak, and soon after questioned why she was here. 

                "M-my pack is j-just on the o-other side of t-this forest."

Batting her golden eyes at him, she returned the question in a much more kind voice than either had used thusfar. His glance, of course, was noted, but it was long something she'd accepted people would look at. 

                                                          "Why are you here?"

He paused, it was a question that lead all the way from the start, from hids rebellion, to his banishment, to his family trying to kill him, it all resulted in him standing here, speaking with a somewhat intruiging wolfess. It was almost a full minute until he realized how strange it was to be silent so long. "I don't know." Novak admitted, complete honesty in his voice. Why did he return to Teekon? 

"I just ended up here..." More uncomfortable shifting. "I guess." The brute stared down at her glowing sunny eyes, enthralled by their uniquness. He'd never seen eyes so bright and eery at the same time.

Her question prompted a long silence in which Grace found herself comfortable to creep closer, eventually sitting a couple feet away and rolling back onto her haunches. Her leg settled horizontally beside her, but didn't seem to bother her -- her attention, though on him, was not pressing or impatient as she awaited an answer. She knew better than any the feeling of not belonging, and at once worried thats what this soul was going through. 

                  "You have nowhere to be?"

He looked down at her with an odd look, but not one that brought forth a bad reaction as she might've expected had she thought about it: her eyes met his with a smile, and she offered him an alternative to wandering should he want it.

                                        "Silver Creek could use another protector, if you were interested in integrating."

The warriors ears perked at the suggestion, a sense of interest in his eyes before being pulled back to his head in thought. He hadn't really thought of joining a pack -- what if it was corrupt like his home or antisocial like his last? He wasn't sure how much longer he could stand a nomadic lifestyle, pack to pack. 

"I'm not sure..." He admitted his skepticism on the idea. But staring down at her warm eyes, he couldn't leave her with an answer of nothing. Perhaps, you could take me to meet the leaders?"

It was this question that seemed to perk his interest, and after a short thought he eventually asked her to meet the leaders -- it was a little ways back to Silver Creek borders, but she wouldn't take him all the way -- and her smile brightened. Sureness was something he could gain once he'd met Spring and Casmir.

Standing, she motioned to back the way she'd came, limping off in the direction of her home with pride bubbling inside her belly. The russet girl paused only long enough to that she could turn her face behind and see if he was following -- and she dearly hoped he would. 

Recuitment wasn't so bad, she decided, when they were handsome males with shining carribean eyes. 

               "The Alpha is Spring, and the Beta is Casmir -- it will be they who decide if you can integrate or not, if you want to. Spend a couple days at the border getting used to everything before Spring gives you a rank, y'know, to make sure you really intend to join."

The acceptance method was...smart, and compatible with Novak's skepticism. He watched as Grace began to walk away, at first he assumed she was just leaving, likely done with him because he was difficult to keep a conversation with. But, after her glowing eyes met his once again he realized her intention. The bulky male widened his eyes and instantly began to walk, his large strides easily catching up with her, but was forced to slow down to her pace.

"Uh... Thank you," He wasn't good in thanking people, or really any social situation at all, but he truly meant it, "Grace." Finally speaking her name felt somewhat strange, almost surreal. It was somewhat ironic, how her name didn't describe her gait at all, and looking at the scars covering her body seemed to go against the name -- but he didn't know her too well, and perhaps would be proven wrong over time.

At once, she thought he wouldn't follow -- but before her step could faulter they were on their way. He had to slow down for her, and Grace did her best to lengthen her strides so he didn't have to go so slow. 

His thanks rumbled in her ear, and she turned her face up to smile.


                                           "Glad to help, Novak. What kinda things you good at?"

Idle chitchat while they walked, really, but it's not like they were very far at all. Before long, Grace slowed, and tipped her head back to call for @Spring or @Casmir to come and talk to him.

[table width=55%][tr][td]
with each passing day, Casmir was unsure if she would be able to depart the Creek. he wanted so badly to find Constantine and Eilidh, and even visit Donnelaith where his younger sisters resided, but each morning brought a fresh lash of frost and snowfall, and so the boy had begun to resign himself to remaining through the winter. 
Grace's howl roused the Mayfair; he stretched and set off at a leggy lope through the drifts to find the yearling with a stranger at her side. the young Beta's hackles rose immediately; he did not growl, but approached stiffly, tail outstretched and eyes boring into those of the newcomer. with pups to protect, Cas was on high alert, and he hoped Grace would understand.[/tr][/td][/table]

A howl from Grace sounded for her and Casmir and she was on her way.  The jog took her a little ways from the Creek and the whole way she wondered what this was all about.  Did Grace need their help with something or was it something else?  She supposed she'd find out once reaching the scene.

Upon arriving she noticed that Casmir had beaten her there, but she was a little edgy to see a male next to Grace.  Was this about him then?  Did he wish to join or was it something else?  "Who is this Grace?"  She asked the female, her tail flagged with dominance as she waited for an answer, all the while giving the male a look over.

"I was trained extensivley in the mecenary trade." Novak explained, warrior skills were the up most important qualities to have -- that next to brains, but no one smart enough to see their curruption. He was gaining comfortable with Grace, all until she howled and little to no time had passed before he was face to face with a jet black male, Novak stood larger than him, but tried his best not to be intimidaing in any way possible, lowering his ears and shifting as Casmir stood. Soon, another joined by his side, a female. 

It was obvious who was the alpha, which caused the beastly wolf to step back cautiously, more often than not he would act upon any sign someone wished to treat him with dominence, but this was a potential home. The brute glanced at Grace, assuming she would be answering for him. Novak showed no sign of threat or dominence, and showed as much submission his body allowed him, which wasn't a lot, but enough. The creamy pelted canine didn't wish to seem overly confident, if anything he was awkward as hell, but he wasn't well taught in the act of submitting.

Novak looked a little unsure of himself when both Cas and Spring came to the call, but adjusted himself accordingly. A trained Mercenary would be good among their ranks, right? 

Grace herself bent at the approach of both of Silver Creek's leaders, tail and head lowering, but scooted forward a step or two to show that, without a doubt, she was with them and what they decided -- she didn't turn, though, keeping close to her new friend in case he was finding comfort in her closeness. Casmir was a silent guardian, and Grace didn't at all blame him for protecting the home they'd settled for themselves and those in it. It was Spring that questioned the russet girl, and her golden gaze shifted to the alpha. 

                              "Novak. He's a trained mercenary, and I thought maybe Silver Creek would benefit if he could integrate."

[table width=55%][tr][td]
it was the man's eyes that stood out, and despite his submission, Casmir was unnerved by the stranger's gaze, not his size. yet he did not show this, deferring to Spring as she spoke. the Beta kept his place at her side, offering Grace a small smile of encouragement. seemed that during her forays she'd been recruiting — this told the boy that she was more than ready to join their ranks as a complete member. yet that decision belonged to their leader and he would stand by whatever she decided.[/tr][/td][/table]

A mercenary.  The thought of having one come into their ranks intrigued her.  She found it lovely that Grace was already starting to recruit well suited potiental members, perhaps Grace deserved to be let in right now at this very moment.  After all if this Novak did turn out to benefit them, all the more reason, plus he was submitting to her which was a good sign.

"Novak.  It's a pleasure to meet you."  For a brief moment she paused.  "I think it would be lovely to have a mercenary among our ranks, but do know Novak that I will not take it lightly if you are lying to me about this."  She let that sink in, it wasn't that she thought he was lying, it was just that she wanted to make sure that he knew that she wasn't one to fool around.  "None the less, would you like to begin integrate into Silver Creek?"

Novak's ears lowered at the mere thought, he even stepped away a bit more. The large wolf quickly shook his head at any indication of dishonesty. After she continued, he relaxed for a moment and nodded his head quickly. "It would be an honor to do so." Despite his cold feet on the idea of joining a new pack, he knew there was plenty leeway in case he truly didn't like it.

His sapphire eyes glanced down at Grace, and the faintest smile arose on his muzzle. The somewhat unkempt wolfess had already impacted his life for better. He refocused on Spring, the mindset of hope as he did so.

[table width=55%][tr][td]
he smiled at the yearling; she'd done well. Casmir then lifted his gaze to appraise the newest member of the Creek and gave Novak an approving nod. "welcome," the Mayfair rumbled lowly, in a depth to which he was not accustomed yet. "i can show you around, if you'd like," he offered, glancing at Spring to see her reaction.[/tr][/td][/table]

Everything was sorted out now and she felt somewhat accomplished herself.  Casmir was then quick to volunteer and she gave him an approving nod, sounded all right to her, wouldn't do any harm.  Then she turned to Novak.  "It was a pleasure to meet you Novak, I hope to see you amongst our ranks soon."  Then with that she turned and padded away, taking her leave.