Sun Mote Copse cannot help you now

tagging @Wraen & @Towhee

the copse is the first pack he comes across and thus it will be the first place he attempts to join. savaktuk gives their borders — solid and fresh, he notes — a few good sniffs; black leathery nostrils drawing in the myriad of scents. satisfied, he recoils back to a safe and amiable distance. there was one other on his immediate path east, just a bit south. faint will-o-wisps of scents that offered him nothing stable. fledgling packs that had no real numbers hold no interest for him. he seeks what is established; a hierarchy that is already strong. a simple beast, with simple desires. shelter and a place among the ranks for his skills; a fair trade. the bartering that many wolves before him and many that would come after him implored. with no further reason to linger, he tips his head back and lets loose a howl, alerting those on patrol of his presence and those who stood at the helm of his intentions at their borders.

to join.

WOAH THAT AVATAR <3

His black-tipped ears pricked, and he thrusted his nose into the air when the voice called out from nearby. An unfamiliar one, but masculine and requesting a presence with the higher-ups in the pack. And while Bronco knew that he wasn't considered a high-ranking wolf, and would be in no position to barter for a stranger's sake, he did feel it was his responsibility to greet the newcomer as quickly as possible, in case Wraen, Towhee or Niamh were further away. That way, he could at least make sure that their visitor was being seen to, and assessed. 

His search brought him to face a male- cloaked in a thick, alabaster pelt, with hunching shoulder that reminded Bronco of a grizzly he'd seen once. As a guardian, he couldn't help but assess the potential threat of this male, and from what he could see, given the male's condition, he could pose a threat- if he wanted to. There was a fire in his eyes, glistening the way embers will amongst the coals, but other than appearing patient, Bronco couldn't sense anger or malign. And he had called- and was minding their borders by several yards at least...For some reason, Bronco felt as though he was facing not just some hapless yet strikingly handsome stranger, that he was actually facing a trained champion. 

Bronco's hackles lifted in apprehension, but he natur as more of a peacekeeper than anything, he naturally presented himself as a concerned, but calm guardian. "You've reached the borders of the Firebirds," His voice was firm, but his tone soft- the voice of one whose tone had not quite finished developing. "I'm Bronco, just ah, here to see to you until the leaders arrive. D'you mind tellin' me why you're here?" He asked, flicking his ears forward.

the male that approaches, answering savaktuk's call is robust, draped in a coat of browns and golds, but young. he gives name to the pack of wolves that reside within the copse: firebirds. a powerful spiritual totem; transformation, death and rebirth. the firebird boy calls himself 'bronco'. not a leader. a guardian, then, savaktuk is left to assume. a firm nod is given; this he understands. the young guardian's prompt arrival while time is bid for the leaders to appear only further proves that these wolves are not idle with their borders. it's a good start, though savaktuk is not moved yet enough to claim he was impressed. savaktuk. he gives his name in return. to join. unlike the boy, who uses a lot of words — as many do, savaktuk will come to learn — savaktuk was all about using few words as possible.

Bronco's ears perked at the mention of a name- though he wasn't quite sure he'd caught it right. [bn]"Savak-tuk?"[/b] He repeated, somewhat hesitantly- wanting to make sure that he'd heard the name correctly, in case he was asked to introduce the male later, when one of the leaders arrived. His aim, as Savaktuk stated it blatantly (if not abruptly- Bronco was surprised, but not altogether put-off by the fact that Savaktuk had chosen to be concise) was to join the pack, and Bronco liked the sound of this. He looked like the sort of wolf who would make a competent soldier and guardian. He tried not to fangirl too much over the stranger, but he'd have to admit to himself later- that the air of decorum with which the male held himself was definitely cool.

Not that that was something Bronco could pull off as flawlessly. And though he would try to match the male's stately behavior, he would fail- and his natural friendliness fought its way through. 

"Ah. Well, would you mind telling me a bit about yourself? Your strengths, skills...And what you're looking for, in a pack?" He asked. "An' did you hear about us from someone, or did you just find our borders, and decide to try to join?" Generally, it seemed as though those who came to them had been directed there. But it was a bit more unusual to have a perfectly healthy lone wolf come to their borders in mid-summer, looking for a home. Maybe he was simply an industrious wolf- who knew better than to wait until August, when most lone wolves would be searching for a pack to call home, in order to survive the winter. That wouldn't have surprised Bronco in the least, who'd already leapt to several conclusions- mostly positive ones- about the potential joiner.

his name sounds a bit strange coming from the tongue of a wolf who did not carry the same cadences of the tartok wolves or their stony, northern brethren. a sharp nod and grunt of approval is given before they move on in topics. the following inquiries come at savaktuk a bit rapid fire and he can't help the terse press of his lips to accompany the twitch of an ear. fighter. hunter. skills were easy enough to list. the response to the other questions, though following the order bronco asks them in, require some crafty maneuvering on savaktuk's part to avoid going over his typical two word limit.

it became quickly apparent that not all wolves enjoyed communicating through physical displays.

strength. unity. he had no patience for instability nor weakness; things that no tartok wolf would tolerate.

found you. he gestures over his shoulder in the general direction he came, towards the king elk forest and to the beyond where he first made his entry to these wilds. if he crossed paths with any wolves that knew of them, they hadn't said and he hadn't asked.

Grunts, nods, and short, punctuated speech. Bronco found himself wondering perhaps if this male spoke another language- which intrigued him, as he liked to learn about those who came from far away, and brought their unique cultures and languages with them- but he was clear enough in explaining his qualities, nonetheless. Perfectly clear; though Bronco found himself wondering ifa wolf of so few words would be the best representative of a friendly, peaceful pack. His abrupt answers might have come across, to some, as dismissive...And Bronco loathed the thought of Savaktuk and Niamh meeting each other without there being a mediator, first. Something told him that her ego would likely have been ruffled had she been the one to meet Savaktuk first. 

"Well, we are a strong pack- mostly family, more'n anything else," He said, "And we're pretty peaceful. We got good hunting grounds, an' no close neighbours for competition so we mostly lead a pretty calm lifestyle here," He continued. The gesture toward the forest made Bronco nod; he had been out that way recently as well, so perhaps the male had simply followed his trail in this direction. He'd likely be aware, already, that there were elk in the nearby forests, which would back up Bronco's earlier statement. "We also got young ones in the pack. You like kids?" He asked.

mostly family. savaktuk understands that well enough. tartok is mostly family, too. branches and splintering of the same family tree built upon the vision of their first issumatar. despite how it might seem speaking to him — or perhaps looking upon him — he doesn't particularly mind 'peace'. though tartok wolves were known for their fighting skills he doesn't seek reckless war despite how harsh the environment he comes from. they are born from basalt, cold and sea; where only the hardy and strongest survive. he offers a grunt of understanding, punctuated by another firm nod. regardless, just because they lived a peaceful life didn't mean trouble would not eventually find them; and savaktuk was plenty good at being a stoic guardian. more than willing to chase off the unwanted and troublemakers.

did he like kids?

don't know. an honest answer. there were sanajis for that sort of thing — females and males who served as midwives and sitters; and even so savaktuk was not old enough during the heat of the women to sire any cubs himself before he left. would he have, he'd have stayed. he doesn't doubt 'we'll find out' was overly reassuring — but worse case scenario he'd leave as wide a berth as possible between the firebird young and himself ...if he were to be accepted.

Bronco lifted his head a bit in surprise, tilting his chin up and pursing his lips for a moment. He looked like a tough guy- and Bronco didn't want anyone too sharp to be around the kids, if they didn't have the experience or patience to put up with their demands for attention, and their sharp, needly teeth. He cracked a bit of a smile, just thinking about it. He might not be able to beat this guy in a fight- but if he didn't like kids, then sure enough Alyx, Quetzal, Meerkat and Prim (well, maybe not Prim, who was a fairly quiet child) would certainly chase him off. 

"Well," He said, with a bit of a laugh. "We've got four. And they're big enough now that they've mostly got free range, and a full set of teeth." He said. "Anything from your toes to your shoulders are prolly gonna get chewed on. It's just how they are." He said. "So you like...You've been around kids though, right?" He asked. Because children were a lesson in patience- and while this male did seem like the respectful sort, he wasn't sure he wanted to trust that he wouldn't snap too hard at one of the kids should they get to be a bit too boisterous. It took time to learn exactly how much force was necessary, and it was a lot less than anything he'd ever use on a prey animal.

the information that firebirds have cubs — four, bronco tells him — does not exactly come as a surprise to savaktuk. he anticipated as much when the conversation diverted to that nature, and after the heat of the women of tartok he knows that cubs are the only thing that follows. yes. savaktuk responds, stoic nature cracking for a fracture of a moment into a low, rumble of a laugh though it dies off in his throat as quick as it comes. he'd been a year old when the cubs that followed the year of his birth were born. his introductions with them had been short and his time with them was short and brisk, spent training; and by the time they got to him they were already pretty obedient. given this, it does not occur to him that the cubs of this pack may not act like the tartok young.

regardless, even if he does run across any of the young, following the theoretical situation in which he gets accepted, he is pretty sure his pain tolerance will keep him from snapping at them.

at the very least, he trusts instinct, as to which he's deeply in-tuned to, to keep him from hurting the young.

When Towhee spotted a flourish of sandy fur coming her way from inside the copse, she spun on a heel and raised her eyebrows. She was in the middle of a patrol. What did Meerkat want? She wasn't unhappy to see her daughter, who was freshly "un-grounded," she was just surprised. The Regent's brow furrowed, a question forming on her lips before the youth preemptively answered it.

-Someone howled from the borders!- the breathless pup signed. Towhee noticed she didn't bother speaking, too busy panting. Her brows arched even more, a slow smile spreading across her face. She nodded her head, then reached forward to nuzzle the kid's cheek.

-"Thanks for the heads up, kiddo,"- Towhee said, then paused. Before she could tell Meerkat she should head back, the youngster grinned and took off back the way she had come. A relieved breath escaped the mother, who didn't necessarily want to take her growing child to meet a possibly dangerous stranger.

When she arrived, she saw that Bronco had already beaten her there. Towhee made her approach but did not speak, simply flanking the yearling and eyeing the stranger in stony silence, head and tail rigid to denote her rank. He was large, with white fur and a darkening nape that sort of reminded her of the Blackthorns. His eyes, she noted, were a shade of orange not unlike her own.

His own expression lifted when he heard the male emit a sound not unlike laughter, though it did seem like he wanted to keep it in check. Even that small amount of proof that there was something jovial within Savaktuk made Bronco feel a bit more at ease. He would need to have a sense of humour if he hoped to have any chance of surviving with the four children in the pack.

"They're right good kids," He went on to say, a fond smile coming across his lips. He likely would have gone on to detail the kids more had he not heard the sound of someone approaching, and glanced over his shoulder just in time to see Towee striding up toward his side, with that regal, flowy stride that she, Niamh and Wraen seemed to have perfected. Bronco was well aware that he tended to bob his head when he walked, which might've seemed somewhat ungainly- but at least he wasn't a leader, so the expectations for him were lesser. 

He was quiet for a moment, to let Towhee check the newcomer out before he turned slightly, putting himself in a position where he knew his gestures would be caught in the fierce glint of Towhee's side-eye.

-This is Savaktuk. Hunter, fighter, man of few words- he signed, knowing full well that Savaktuk would likely not understand what he was saying, though some of the signs didn't take a geniustot understand. -But I like him better than Samantha.- He said, with a bit of a shrug. He was definitely an improvement over Samantha. To Savaktuk he then turned. "This is Towhee, our Regent. You c'n say a few words about yourself if you want- just speak clearly an' don't mutter." He said. Somehow, he figured that Savaktuk would probably be one of the easiest wolves for Towhee to lip-read. He said so little, and despite his accent, spoke so clearly.[/b][/i]

a firm nod is given to bronco on the topic of them being good kids — savaktuk doesn't know them and thus feels like he has no right to comment either way ...not that he likely would regardless. attention shifts to the woman as she approaches; everything: from posture to her gait suggests to savaktuk that she is a leader. appeased, festering worry about how bronco calls them a peaceful pack giving savaktuk the ( wrong ) impression that the leadership might be lax here put to rest. she doesn't speak and unbothered by this fact, savaktuk watches with a curious gleam in his eye as bronco begins to communicate with the woman in a form of sign language. it holds similarity between his own preferences to communicate but most of it is just weird motions.

bronco introduces her as towhee, calling her 'regent' — savaktuk assumes that is their version of issumatar — and lets him know he can speak a few words about himself but to speak clearly and not to mutter.

savaktuk tartok. for the first time he offers his sirename, not expecting it to be known but feeling like it was necessary all the same. from first impressions, towhee strikes him as a strong woman and for some ( primal ) reason he feels the need to assure her that he, too hails from strong wolves.

hunter. fighter. he informs, unaware that he is just parroting what bronco has already told her.

Bronco positioned himself to make communicating easier and Towhee's gaze shifted to him as he began to sign. She couldn't hear, yet she liked the sound of this guy already. Her lips twitched into a faint grin when Bronco referenced Samantha, then she schooled her expression and faced the man in question just in time to catch his formal introduction.

Tartok? she repeated in her head. Why was that so familiar? It took her a few beats, then her eyes widened a fraction. That was Kaertok's surname. They actually looked alike too. Towhee licked her lips, curious about the connection. Out of the handful of possible fathers, Kaertok had always been her preference, though of course there was no telling.

"Do you know Kaertok?" Towhee asked before tacking on, "I assume you're interested in joining?" since nobody had explicitly stated as much.

Y'all can skippity-skip Bronco if at any point it's the two of ye online, spreeing. :3

Bronco'd taken a chance to glance over at Savaktuk while he'd signed to Towhee- and was relieved that he didn't see a look of disdain or judgement. Instead, if anything else, he looked interested in their form of communication, and potentially intrigued by the notion of a pack having a silent, exclusive language. He was pleased; he'd been taught to speak ptero as fluidly as he spoke English, and was proud to have been given access to a language which had such expressive qualities. Especially the profane leg of the vocabulary. 

He remained silent, and allowed Towhee and Savaktuk to communicate- and was pleased to see that at least thus far, Towhee seemed content. He worried for a moment when she asked about another name- knowing that at times, a family connection meant more strife than anything. But for the meantime, he'd remain quiet and vigilant at his Regent's side.

bronco is quiet and savaktuk turns his full attention to towhee as she asks about someone named kaertok. the name draws with it some wisp of familiarity, though whether it is because he once knew him or because the name holds the familiarity of home, savaktuk cannot say. at least, not in this moment. sounds familiar. is all he offers towhee, not committing either way to an answer. there were many that came and went in tartok ...his father and mother included; it was hard to keep track and after some point, savaktuk stopped trying.

a grunt of affirmation is given to the second part — about joining. i'm interested. he vocalizes ...just in case; for he has yet to work out that she was deaf and could not hear his caveman grunt.

His answer was sort of vague, which made Towhee's face twitch, though she supposed it didn't matter much in the end. She drew in a breath as he confirmed his interest in joining, her attention drifting between the two males for a moment. She should probably make a few inquiries, though she could tell Bronco had already sussed out the important information.

Her gaze lingered on Niamh's son for a long beat as she deliberated. He was still young, little more than a yearling, yet he'd grown into quite the stolid wolf. He was a core member of the Firebirds, a dedicated guardian and a particularly outstanding warden when it came to the pups. He was conscientious and intelligent too, so the Regent made a decision.

-Is there anything else you'd like to ask him?- Towhee said to Bronco. Then, -What do you think? Should we accept him? You were here first and I trust your judgement.- It was rude to converse like this right in front of Savaktuk but Towhee couldn't bring herself to feel bad about that.

Bronco studied the male's features for any signs that he might not have approved of the name that Towhee had asked about- and he felt curious to know as well, how Towhee knew this Kaertok. There was something similar about the names, so he assumed that perhaps, whoever Kertok was, he migh've come from the same region as Savaktuk. He didn't seem to know, though he acknowledged at least Bronco's beliefs that perhaps the similarity in their names might hint that they'd crossed paths before. 

Towhee then questioned Bronco, and asked for his judgement, and he felt surprised and flustered for a moment. He'd just begun to get derailed from asking Savaktuk about his qualifications- and strike up a conversation about kids- when Towhee had arrived, so he wasn't sure what else he'd intended to ask their potential new packmate. Part of him wanted to know why Savaktuk had left his previous home, wherever that had been...And part of him wondered what kinds of adventures Savaktuk had had, and if he was truly peaceful in nature. It was hard to get a good read on him, as he was so stoic and spoke so little...But Bronco was, by nature, a trusting wolf, and kindness was his default. -I think so.- He said, with a firm but gentle seriousness. He turned his attention to Savaktuk. -We have rules, which we will expect you to follow, that help us maintain peace not only within the pack, but with other packs as well as lone wolves. Firebirds are family...Are you willing to learn the ways of our pack, and adopt our rules as your own?- He asked, both speaking out loud and using Ptero so that Towhee could clearly understand what he was asking.

more of their strange but intriguing way of communicating follows; savaktuk watches the exchange without much clue as to what they 'say' though, given present circumstances, assumes easily enough that it is nevertheless about him. gaze moves to the boy as he speaks to him, also doing those strange movements, ears cupping forth to signify that bronco has his full attention. it was a pretty straightforward question: one that there was really only two answers to. yes. savaktuk vows with a solemn nod.

She nodded at his decision, then observed as he gave their new recruit an ultimatum of sorts. Towhee punctuated the exchange with a toneless, "Welcome to Firebirds." She paused, orange eyes shifting to Bronco, then back to Savaktuk. "I'm sure Bronco can answer any other questions and give you the grand tour. I'll see both of you around, I'm sure."

After dipping her head to them, she turned and retraced her steps to resume where she'd left off on her patrol. As she picked up her route, her mind didn't wander to Bronco or Savaktuk but, instead, to her daughter. Meerkat had come to find her to tell her about a caller at the borders, much like X used to do. She realized she hadn't really talked to her little girl about the hawk and decided she would do just that at the next opportunity.

And that was that, or so it seemed. Savaktuk was accepted on his recommendations, though now he would have to guide the newcomer in their ways, and make sure that his own gut instincts had been correct. He nodded at Towhee's suggestions, and after she left, he gestured for them to venture further into the Copse, so he could see his new home. "C'mon. Lemme show you around a bit," He volunteered, guiding their newest packmember beyond the borders and into their warm, welcoming Copse.