Home Sweet Home?

Ryker sighed as he walked towards bordered territory once again. There seemed to be a bunch in this area of the wilds but this seemed the quietest. The one with the least drama. So he hoped. Maybe it was time for him to find a place to call home for good. This wandering aimlessly stuff was starting to grow old. It was lonely and he didn't like it. Never really did but he used to have his mother around, so he wasn't exactly alone.

They could have started a pack if she had survived and there had been more than one of himself. That was the other part that sucked. It wasn't like he had any siblings to travel with. Once his mother had died. That was it. He was on his own. He never had the chance to be a pup and enjoy life. He had struggled from the start.

He approached the borders and looked around. There is no turning back nowHe thought to himself as he sat down by the thin line that seperated him and a pack of potentially angry wolves. He let out a low howl calling for whoever was in charge around here. Then he waited patiently for their arrival.

@Reek and or @Saena

for warden trade. the leaders will be here soon

The one with the least drama. Ha! If Arion knew what Ryker was thinking, he would drop his stoic facade immediately and laugh himself to death. This was one of the packs with the most drama, they were the ones who probably initiated the tension/soon to be war between the Caldera and the Rise pack, which in other words meant the tension between the north and the south region. Well, technically the part about the north and south region wasn't 'official' yet but soon enough all those in these wilds would know of it. He was sure of that.

Oh, if only Ryker knew what he was getting himself into.

Arion was out patrolling that day, like he did everyday. There was nothing interesting to do in the Rise nowadays as they only had a few members left and he hadn't bumped into his partner in crime for what seemed like ages. It felt like he was literally alone in this pack. He seriously felt like howling for his two friends and telling them if they did not make things interesting, he was going to pack his bags and leave. Because it was starting to feel like every other pack in the world, and Arion was starting to get bored.

The stallion was shook out of his thoughts when a foreign scent touched his nostrils. YAY! Something interesting was happening! Quickly, Arion made his way to where the stranger was and was already halfway there when a howl rang through the air calling for the leaders. He was not one of them (meaning the leaders) but he still decided to check the howler out because he had nothing better to do.

Arion approached with slightly bristling hackles, proud posture and fierce, fiery golden eyes. "You're too close," he said gruffly, chocolate ears twitching, "move back a few steps then you can talk. Don't bother beating around the bush and state your business, skills, yada yada yada. And if you make it through my test, the leaders might consider your application." Then he smiled. Obviously, if the leaders came quickly and pushed him out of the way to question the kid, he didn't care. He was just having fun after all.

Set before Reek and Saena's trip to BDP for timeline's sake.

It seemed new wolves came out of the woodwork in waves, but Reek was in no condition to complain. The Rise had been sparse for quite some time and in need of some fresh blood.  Reek had reached the point to which he would offer any loner a home if they so desired... the Rise needed numbers— now more than ever.  Especially in the wake of the recent news of Junior's fate.

Thankfully, the newbies howl hadn't interrupted anything particularly important.  The preparations for Reek and @Saena's impending trip south to the Blacktail Deer Plateau had all been set, all that was left was to hand the proverbial keys over to Arion during their absence.  Hell, if they returned and the Rise hadn't burned to the ground... he might find himself the shiny new beta.  He certainly deserved it at this point, being a loyal member since the beginning  and all. Despite his rampant issues, the greek had always been Reek's right hand man.

Speak of the devil— well in this case, think.  Arion was already facing the newbie down, wardening to his hearts content.  Reek approached with proud posture and tail erect.  "You got this buddy? Or should I take over?" he asked Arion before turning to the newbie to get a better look at him.  He was oddly familiar. And then it hit him.  "Riley?" he asked, barely remembering his name... at least he knew the first syllable was right.  "Do you remember me?" He had to... it wasn't that long ago. "Reek Redtail," he reintroduced.  "Alpha male."

It wasnt long before a chocolate coloured wolf showed up and told him to back up a few steps. Ryker was puzzled but did as he was told. Before he had chance to say anything the wolf spoke again telling him not to say what he was actually about to say. This wolf wasn't the Alpha right? If he was Ryker was in for the time of it here. He had to stop himself from laughing. This was not a good time to be immature.

Ryker just stayed silent and waited for either another wolf to show up. Or for this one to keep talking.

Just then out of the corner of his eye a familiar black wolf showed up and began to say something to the chocolate wolf. Ryker blinked for a moment making sure this was definitly the wolf he had met a little while ago. "Ryker, close enough though," he chuckled. "Gosh I stay away for a little while and next time we meet you're alpha male, a lot has changed," he said as he looked around to see if anyone else was coming.

Ryker was slightly glad that the chocolate wolf was not alpha around here. He could be beta material but even then. Little did Ryker know the two alpha's were going on a trip and leaving him in charge.

"Anyways, I was kinda hoping I could join your ranks, now i don't expect you to let me in just because you know me but yeah," he trailed off before he started rambling. If there was one thing he was not going to do it was ramble. It was a waste of everyone's time.

If Arion knew what Ryker was thinking, he would pin that arrogant kid to the ground and beat some sense into him. He was a good Alpha if he wanted to be one, better than Reek and Saena (not that they were terrible leaders). Perhaps Ryker had misunderstood his words, what he had meant was for the boy to stop beating around the bush and state his business, not for him to stop beating around the bush and not state his business. Did he have to add some extra words for others to understand what he was saying? Seriously? Was he that hard to fucking understand?

"Well? Say something! I just told you to stop beating around the bush and quickly fucking tell me why you're here and all that formal shit! Are you deaf? Don't you want a home here?" Arion said, his words were not meant to insult though, they were said in a joking manner with a touch of confusion. Hopefully, the guy would not think him to abrasive (even though he was) and get the idea of how he worked around here.

Then Reek appeared and asked him if he should take over. Arion flashed his partner in crime a mischievous smirk and inclined his head, "I can handle this, bro, hand me the reins this time," and turned to address to wannabe Rise wolf just for him to see the guy speak to the new Alpha instead of him. "Dude, that's hella rude. I was telling you to inform me of your business, yada yada yada and you don't speak to me but talk to the Alpha instead when he's here? That's rude. That's just rude."

Arion shifted his weight and fixed his twinkling gaze onto the youth. "You're right, because I ain't letting you into our ranks just because you know him and unless you speak to me and state what you want and all that, you can't get pass me and to the next stage of the application test. Like you're going to speak to me, not him." He squared his shoulders and tapped a paw impatiently on the ground, though the crooked smirk on his lips showed that he really wasn't that serious.

Arion seemed to be chomping at the bit to handle the situation on his own, and Reek was perfectly content to sit back and watch him gauge the newbies abilities.  If he was ever going to become the beta, Arion would have to be able to deal with newbies in his sleep. Knowing he wasn't the most personable wolf around, Reek was a little anxious to see how he would carry himself in this sort of situation.  In a time like this, they couldn't just run any prospective newbie off— maybe eventually.  But, not now.

"Go for it bro," conceded Reek.  "You're going to need all the practice you can get."  His tone was teasing in the hopes that Arion would know he was in the running to be his official right hand man— That is, if he played his cards right.  "Just be nice to the newbie ok?"

Reek pulled back a few paces and settled to his haunches calmly to asses Arion's performance.  "You talk to him, kid," he goaded.  Then he fell silent to only offer information when needed.

Ryker was a little startled by the chocolate wolf's reaction. Yeah perhaps what he had done was a little ignorant but he came here to talk to whoever was in charge. It seemed it was not going to be this way as Reek stepped back and sat down to observe. "Well. Fine," he stated trying to hide his minute annoyance.

He shifted nervously on his paws and then began to speak."I am here because I realize I need a pack of wolves to teach me the information I don't know, I have grown up alone and have learned all I can. But I feel I would be better of with a bunch of other wolves than alone for much longer," he stated.

"That is why I am here, to offer my service in the hopes that in return I would have a home and guidance from pack mates," he finished with a nod. He felt proud of himself for coming to this decision. It was not an easy one but he was sure his mother would be proud no matter the decision he makes. This was for his own well being.

He glanced at Reek then back to the chocolate wolf. "I am sorry for my ignorance earlier," he said with an apologetic look in his eyes.

"Practice?" Arion smirked. "Who needs practice?" As far as he was concerned, these wardening and questioning things needed no practice, they came to him naturally and besides, he wasn't entirely clueless to how these mundane things worked. He had once been the heir to the throne, and his father had done all he could to make sure the stallion was prepared for it. At least all the time wasted to dedicate himself to those boring lessons would pay off now; Janus would be glad to hear that.

"Nice? There aren't any nice warriors around," Arion snorted and turned his attention back on the wannabe Rise wolf, just in time to catch the remark he made about needing to talk to the 'one that was not in charge'. Well, Ryker hadn't technically said all that, but the Greek could guess. Thankfully, Arion decided not to comment on that, because if he had to comment on all the idiotic things everyone did, his whole life would be wasted and he would still be ticking things off his 'idiot' list even in death.

The chocolate stallion fell silent as the boy began speaking, saying that he was here because he needed a pack to teach him the information he did not know, that he had grown up alone and learnt all he can but would apparently, feel better off with a bunch of other wolves. "What you're describing right now, is instinct," that wasn't really necessary but the warrior felt the need to point that out.

"You should be sorry," the chocolate wolf said but dipped his snout ever so slightly to indicate 'apology accepted.' Then he began questioning the guy, "What are your strengths? What can you do? What are your skills? What would we, the pack, benefit from having you in our ranks?" Those were the things Ryker had not talked about yet, and obviously there was many more he could say to make sure his application got accepted but those things Arion listed were a 'need to be answered to get accepted' kind of thing.

Short post is short. Feel free to skip me if y'all want after this, I don't wanna slow this thread down!

Arion certainly had a way with words.  Even the most mundane things about the joining interview were made menacing by the by the Greek. However, despite the dickishness toward the newbie, he wasn't doing that bad of a job handling the situation for himself... perhaps with a bit of sensitivity training, Arion would make a splendid beta.  Reek shot his right hand man a wry glance and said, "He's a guest Arion.  If he didn't want to join, then we can do things your way... but let's show the kid some hospitality."

Reek shifted his gaze back to Ryker and mouthed a quick 'sorry' before falling silent once more to listen and assess. The Good-cop Bad-cop routine had it's place, but in Reek's not-so-humble opinion, it didn't necessarily fit in recruitment procedure. 

Ryker was annoyed but he decided now might not be the best time to get angry. He wasn't a part of the pack yet and since this wolf was the one to determine whether or not he got in or not he decided it would be best not to piss him off. "I need practice, or at least a teacher because I didn't have one for most of my life," he said with a hint of annoyance. He didn't like to talk of his mother in vain but right now he was trying his damnedest to hold himself together.

Ryker sighed as his apology was accepted by the chocolate wolf. As the wolf began to question hi he saw Reek in the background apologizing for his friends behavior. Ryker smiled slightly acknowledging the Dark pelted Alpha.

"I am working on becoming a healer and a counselor. I also consider myself an ok hunter. I would help to keep caches full." he stated staring flatly at the wolf before him. If this didn't suit the wolf's fancy he didn't know what else he could do. "I'm hoping I can be an asset to the pack, that is, if you are willing to let me in," he stated shifting on his paws slightly.

Arion pretended not to notice the hint of annoyance in Ryker's voice when he said that he needed practice or at least a teacher because he did not have one for most of his life. Such a sad story right? Except that many others had far, far worse stories. Such as abusive parents or abandoning by a mountainside. But the warrior decided not to bring that up just yet, he didn't need to chase away a potential recruit. He liked to annoy, yes, but he knew where the line was.

The chocolate Greek nodded to Ryker's words. Healer and counselor huh? They had both in the pack, but he supposed since the boy looked healthy enough, he would let him in. But the boy still needed to past a test. "Alright, fine," Arion said, taking a step forward. "You past the first part of the audition, now the next part involves using your body instead of words."

He paused just for dramatic effect. "You will lead us on a hunt. Not in the Rise, in the plains. I'm assuming you know where that is."

crappy post, sorry

The joining interview was swiftly handled by Arion, and Ryker was well on his way to becoming a full-fledged member of the Rise... but, as was tradition, the boy would have to prove himself with a task.  Watching in the background, Reek nodded in approval to his second-in-command as he proposed a hunt. If Ryker could prove himself in the field, he was a shoo-in.  The Rise's numbers had dwindled dangerously low, any able body would be of use.

"Good luck," said Reek before turning to head back to his waterfall.  The hunt never really was his sort of thing.  Reek had always fancied himself as more of a fisher than a hunter seeing as his clumsy nature usually ended the hunt well before it began.  Opting to hand the reigns over to Arion, Reek nodded curtly in his direction before setting off toward home.

But before taking off, Reek hastily added in afterthought, "By the way— Saena and I are taking off for a little while. A week tops. Road trip and stuff! Can you hold down the fort for us until we get back? If the Rise doesn't burn down or anything, I see good things in your future." Reek spun his gaze back around to Ryker. "See you 'round, Ryk."

-Reek Exits-

Hunt included in this thread or what Arion. Do you want to do a different one or just finish with it in here?

Ryker listened and his stomach did a minor backflip. Leading a hunt. Hmm. Didn't seem too hard. I mean what could go wrong. Right? Ryker nodded. "Alright," he stated. That sounded like an okay deal to him. Ryker smiled for the first time in this entire meeting. He wasn't neccesarily happy but he was glad he had made it through at least the first part of the test the chocolate wolf had for him.

Ryker nodded in the direction of the Alpha male as he announced that he would be travelling with a wolf named Saena. Whom Ryker assumed was either his mate, other alpha or both. Likely the last as he couldn't see it just being one of them. "Nooo don't leave me here alone with him," he said teasingly as he gave a swift nod towards the chocolate male. "Just kidding," he stated in case the chocolate wolf didn't take it the way it was intended. "See you around Reek," he smiled and watch the dark male pad back into the forest.

Ryker then turned tail and began to head towards the plains where he would demonstrate his skills. The tall grasses there could be used to their advantage. He turned his head to make sure the chocolate wolf was in fact following him. Not that there was any doubt in Ryker's mind that he would. He was determined to prove himself worthy of this male's respect. He hoped one day the two of them could be friends. Maybe just Maybe...

Shitty post I know.. I wasn't sure whether or not we were doing the hunt in this thread so i hd to make it short x.x