Lost Creek Hollow tell me honestly.

Life had been quiet since Harlan had returned from then meadow with the sad news that Ilya had gone. It was exactly as she had expected and each day she thanked the gods for sparing her family. They had not deemed it time to return Luke to her, but the druid was patient. He would come home, one day, and there was nothing that would keep her from welcoming him back into the fold with open arms. She missed him, but it was a dull ache and did not plague her too often. Her focus was on her children.

It was a sweet thing, a mother being so attentive to her little brood. Except in Harlyn's awe it was almost something of an obsession. The pack had still not met them yet, and in truth, Harlyn barely knew who her pack even was these days. she held strong to the belief that they were her "family" and that she "loved" them, but save for Root and Lagon, she hardly even knew who they were. Her duties as alpha had been neglected entirely and it hadn't occurred that not only was that the case, but that it also left her mate to do all the work on his own. Her world consisted of the three little beings she had sacrificed her beloved friend for, and Harlyn owed it to the gods to make it so for they were the future keepers of her worship.

"Lark, not so far!" Harlyn called from her perch, curled at the mouth of the den. The boys were wrestling behind her, nut her daughter, ever the daring and defiant little woman, had crept out into evening to explore on her own. Harlan didn't mind; it was good for the children to begin getting to know the earth father. but they also needed to know their boundaries, which was something the honey-pelted babe was none too careful of. "No further than the log young lady," Harlyn warned with a darkening growl, which finally got the girl's attention. Larkspur turned and gave her mother a sullen pout, But crept back towards the den nonetheless and settles upon gumming the pinecone she had previously grown bored with. Harlyn could only grin at her.

*butts in*

Quietly, the druid woman made her way round the territory, checking the hollow and making sure everything was in tact. The weather was quite cool, her fur was adjusting better when it was getting warmer. Thin coats weren't very... effective during the winter, but luckily spring was coming fairly quickly. Settling with a long stride walk, the woman kept making her way around the hollow with silence.

Few birds called out and fluttered about, their wings painted in blue or black, white or red, capturing the druid's attention. Not seeing where her paws landed, the front paw snagged itself in a tree root, causing the woman to fall forward with a gasp and tumble in a somersault. Grumbles and growls escaping her dark lips, Shikoba steadied herself onto the ground, laying there like a dead fish.

She puffed her cheeks in a annoyed fashion, pushing herself up in a weird, sitting, sideways manner. Muttering in her foreign tongue, she got up and shook out the loose dirt. Moving at a slower pace, her eyes scanned the ground to prevent herself from tripping again. While making her way over, she saw a nice open area where she could rest in the warmth of the sunlight.

Making her way over, she kept her hackles and head low, then flopped onto her rump in the grass. Content with herself, she then flopped onto the ground as if she was dead weight, exhaling happily and rubbing the side of her head on the ground. Her golden eyes shut themselves peacefully, and her body began to slow itself down for a quick rest.

She didn't even know she was in presence of the alpha and her offspring. Luckily for her, she was far enough away where she was not a threat in any way. However, what could she know? Maybe the woman was protective...?

Larkspur tore at the pinecone, spitting out scales and then licking the debris out of her teeth. Harlyn had turned away to check on her sons and their epic battle when Lark froze and stood up, hackles raised and ears perked. Someone was nearby, and it wasn't her father. Instinct told her to run back to Harlyn. Or at least to get her mom's attention. But Larkspur was a bold little girl, and instead of running from danger, she growled and began to yap at the stranger in the distance.

Harlyn was out of the den and standing over her daughter almost instantly, testing the air and staring into the woods. She was silent where the girl was noisy, but she was far more experienced and knew within seconds that there was no real danger about. Only a packmate, though one the alpha had never before met.

"Shh, Lark. It's alright," Harlyn murmured, nudging her with her muzzle until her barks settled into small, grumpy growls. Turning back to the stranger, Harlyn called out to greet her, then waited to see if she might approach.

Shikoba was happily dozing off, however as she made contact with the ground, a loud yapping noise filled her ears. It didn't sound like a normal wolf, no it was younger to the point where it sounded as if it belonged to- oh dear god. Her golden eyes shot open as her body hauled itself up and looked around. The druid women was near pups, meaning there was a protective mother nearby and probably not in the mood to have a stranger waltz in.

If she was a human, should would've face-palmed instantly. However she wasn't, so what could she do? The mother of the small yapping pup called out a greeting, sounding friendly and welcoming almost. Turning her head towards the direction of the voice, she stood up and started to make her way over, stature low but a content body posture. 

She meant to harm in any way, but rather just to meet the mother. Hopefully she wouldn't wish to maul the druid. She decided to call out to the unknown, her head tilted. "Greetings. Mother of small ones?" She asked, thinking about maybe if this woman was instead a sitter of somesort.

Who was Shikoba to guess things like these? It wasn't her place.

Harlyn hadn't realized her packmate had been napping and wondered only briefly at the tiredness of the response. Larkspur stood still but watchful and the mother couldn't help but smile at her "ferocity". Nudging her gently, she returned her gaze to the woman that approached with a submissive posture and respectful regard. Harlyn smiled and gave a nod at her words.

"Yes, this is mine, as are the two causing a ruckus inside," Harlyn stated proudly, "I'm Harlyn, alpha of the Hollow. I have not met you yet, miss...?"

Shikoba's golden eyes watched the woman that was in front of her. The woman was in fact the mother of the small, talkative pup and the two others roughhousing in the den. The druid smiled brightly at the sight of the small ones playing, it reminded her of her siblings when they were of that age.

The woman then spoke of her name, Harlyn. It sounded pretty to the native, her head was tilted the slightest. What caught her attention the most though was that Harlyn spoke of being the alpha of the Hollow. Shikoba silently thanked the spirits for giving her some brains about lowering her stature. She didn't come off as rude, but showed her submissiveness.

Shikoba's name was then asked for indirectly, she looked back to the alphess. "Shikoba" she said, smiling before sitting down slowly, not wishing to startle the young ones.

"Alpha Mordecai allow Shikoba in. Shikoba not good english, learning though" she said happily, a smile evident on her black lips. She wasn't ashamed of her lack of the knowledge, it just made her different. Often, Shikoba wondered why she was taken in. Was it because she could defend from the cougar lurking around? From her hunting or healing skills still being cleaned up? It rattled her brain a little, but she was happy to be with another family to call her own.

"Shikoba happy to meet Alpha Harlyn."

It hadn't occured to her that her packmate - Shikoba - had trouble with the common tongue. Not until she referred to Harlyn's mate as "alpha Mordecai" did her suspicion grow, only to be confirmed a moment later. Harlyn nodded thoughtfully, giving a smile. It was not the first time the uncultured had come to her doorstep, nor did she suspect it would be the last. Harlyn rather thought the spirits guided them here on purpose for her to take under her wing, which Harlyn was only too happy to do.

"I am very glad to meet you as well, Shikoba," Harlyn said with a gracious smile. It was then that Larkspur finally decided to relax. She was still a bit on edge, but her mother was confident and calm which made her feel better. She snaked around Harlyn's forelegs like a cat, peering at Shikoba now with curiosity instead of distrust. Harlyn glanced at her before giving her a nudge. "This little one is Larkspur. Sundrop, can you say hello?"

Larkspur peered up at her mother anxiously, then peeked over at the woman with newfound shyness. She gurgled something that might have been a word, then smushed her face into Harlyn's leg, still watching Shikoba while the matriarch chuckled lightly.

quick cameo probably so go ahead and post on without me (although i may poke back in idc we'll see!) <3

He wrestled with his brother, growling and shoving with all of his might and neither of them had been able to declare themselves the victor yet. It was a steady back and forth of puppy awkwardness and clumsy play, but it was times like these that were pivotal to his developing sense of self. He'd benefit from this practice somehow.

Eventually even over their ruckus, he noticed an unfamiliar voice outside and quieted himself to listen. The darkest Ostrega was not accustomed to any wolves beyond his little family unit, so he was appropriately wary as he peeked from the den's entrance. With sight of the stranger, it was all confirmed, and he instantly sunk down to hide.

Prompted by instinct, he wanted to continue to watch the stranger yet not be watched back. Silas intended to blend into the dirt (and thankfully he was mostly dirt-colored), but with beady, intent eyes zeroed in on Shikoba, he was probably not getting entirely overlooked from his vantage point in the den's doorway. Still, he did note his mother's body language here and nothing about it suggested anything alarming to the growing puppy. If she would have looked vaguely uncomfortable, he would've been gone to the back of the den in an instant. Anyway, he was thoroughly conflicted as slowly, the edges of his uneasiness began to turn into the beginnings of curiosity.

It was quite an enjoyable sight to see young ones running around with their little paws, acting as if nothing mattered. How delicate and precious they were, Shikoba wanted to just hold on in her arms. Truth to be told, Shikoba had always wanted to be a mother. She wanted to be able to teach her children the ways of her tribe and the preciousness of life. However, only leaders were allowed to breed, something Shikoba was not.

Harlyn's child hung around her legs, almost afraid to meet the druid. She first looked at her mother, then Shikoba. Shikoba smiled wide as the little one -Larkspur - hide from the stranger. Her golden honey eyes even saw another little batch of pups in the den, one almost perfectly blending in with the dirt. She laughed lightly at the sight of the pups before smiling towards Harlyn.

"Pups beautiful" she started off, leaning her neck down towards Larkspur, but far enough to not come off as a threat. "Harlyn talk of other small ones?" She asked, wanting to meet the others if they weren't as shy.

@Pippin feel free to pop in if you have time otherwise I'll just do some slight PP if that's ok :)

Harlyn didn't notice when things had gone quiet in the den, instead her attention on Larkspur's hesitant regard of their new packmate. The woman's laughter caught her attention and she turned to follow her gaze, spying Silas in the mouth of the den like an adorable little creeper. "Yes, we have three," Harlyn answered, "The little spy is Silas. His brother is Pippin. Boys, why don't you come out here with us?"

Harlyn didn't anticipate that the pair would be unwilling to join them. Larkspur had unglued herself from her mother's legs to peer hopefully back at the den, obviously liking the idea of having some backup in the situation. Harlyn looked back at Shikoba after calling to her pups. "How long have you been with us, Shikoba?" she asked conversationally.

Harlyn was quite a happy mother, for she had three beautiful pups in her world. The little one who was blending with the dirt -Silas-. It was a unique name, quite fitting to him to say the least. Shikoba's smile was quite gentle as Harlyn called for her little ones to come out and meet her. The little Larkspur looked back towards the den, almost as if she was trying to bring her brothers out to help her out.

Topic off of the little ones, Harlyn asked about the time Shikoba has spent in the pack. She looked down to her paws, giving them a thoughtful look before returning her answer. "Less than moon cycle, few..." She started, not finishing because she didn't know the right words. "weeks" she finished, able to figure out the right word for her native tongue.

His mother invited him out, and he couldn't find it in himself to turn it down so he did intend to go to her.. but it wasn't an immediate as he listened to the adults converse. He had to muster himself up out of a creeping crawl to then dart across the last bit of space between him and Harlyn's back. But, small steps. He peered around her at the stranger to stare with big, wide eyes full of so many questions that he didn't have words for. Overall, he's still very wary but feeling the undeniable social cues that made him want to know his pack mates too pull more and more. Being surrounded by the comfortable embrace of family also helped.

Silas eventually finds a second wind of courage and uses it to edge a bit more forward -- this time to get closer to Larkspur too. He's still staring wide-eyed in wonder at Shikoba.. but he means well enough as he nearly gloms himself onto his paler sister as well.

Harlyn nodded softly, confirming she understood what Shikoba was communicating. The woman was not the first to have come to their borders with a lack of understanding of the common tongue in these parts. Harlyn had taken it upon herself in those times to teach them, and she was ready to extend the same offer to Shikoba when movement from the den caught her attention. Silas had emerged, though Pippin it seemed had opted not to join them - a fact Harlyn noted with curiosity, but turned to watch the children who were being social with interest.

Larkspur was obviously relieved to have a comrade, for she was perfectly happy to smush herself right back when Silas arrived by her side. She planted a few happy kisses on his face as her little tail wagged speedily, causing Harlyn to chuckled softly. "I hope they keep liking each other as they get older," she commented hopefully, not at all looking forward to the day they all three began to squabble over ridiculous things.

Apologies for hold up >_< 

Harlyn understood what Shikoba was getting at, making the native breath out in relief. Often others had a hard time understanding her, yet she could understand them most of the time. Stupid tongue, why not just form good words? Shikoba's attention was on the small offsprings of the alpha woman, one of them running up to the little Lark and greeting her.

Shy, fluffy little things. Adorable, absolutely adorable and innocent. Harlyn's chuckle and comment about them made Shikoba nod her head and smile. Her siblings loved each other no doubt, but often had their squabbles and fights. "Shikoba hope so, pups look-" she said, trying to find a good word to describe.

"Happy" she finished off.

Even beneath a shower of sister kisses, he watches her watch him and feels vaguely uncertain but gaining strength steadily. Silas finds he needs to adjust to the feeling, and tries not to be bothered by it by soaking up the easy company of his loved ones. With his mother relaxed in her company and the immediate proximity of his sister doing what they can to help, progress is slow and steady, but the dark boy still has a lot of learning to do -- and socializing as well.

He listens partially to the adults' conversation since even without the meaning sticking much to him, he knows he's somewhere among the focus of it. Silas' interest in their words does wane, as his puppy's attention span grants him, and he finds a new wave of courage that peels him off his sister to attempt to invite her to play with small nudges of his snout. If he were more brave, he may have thought to engage Shikoba in his puppy games of chewing, pawing, and smothering.. but she did not even register on his radar of potential playmates yet.

As he waves his tail at his sister and steps another pace back to wiggle his rump in the air, he's not quite as vigorous as he usually may be (especially with one eye staying on Shikoba) but this was his attempt at just doing what he'd normally do with or without familiar company: play, eat, then nap.

Do we maybe wanna fade this one out soon? :)

Harlyn smiled at the sight of Silas relaxing slowly in Shikoba's presence. She knew this was new for them to be out of the den and meeting wolves that were strangers to them. Their entire world thus far had been each other, Harlyn and Mordecai. But the world was a far bigger place than that. It was far bigger than even the Hollow, and soon enough they would be learning that too. Little Silas was going to have to get brave pretty fast.

"That's my goal," Harlyn replied simply as Shikoba commented on their apparent contentment. Larkspur growled playfully as Silas invited her to romp, bouncing into position with her bum wriggling in the air. She nipped at the air towards him threateningly before pouncing forward and reaching for his muzzle with her teeth.

Sure! Last from me

Harlyn commented on her goal for the pups of hers, for them to be raised with happiness and glee. It warmed Shikoba to see such beautiful pups with a kind and gentle mother. Hopefully they would take up after her as such. The little Larkspur was happy with Silas, wanting to play fight with him. Ah, that brought Shikoba to her old memories as a child. Her brothers and sisters loved to play with each other, their parents encouraged it strongly.

Seeing that their conversating was growing dim, Shikoba decided it was best to leave them in peace. "Shikoba happy to meet Harlyn, Shikoba go and rest" she said, giving Harlyn a bow of the head before venturing off to find a place to take a nice nap.

i'll wrap it ;D

His sister takes his invitation, and the two wrestle happily. As his game deepens and Larkspur retaliates on him in turn, making him yip and growl back even more, he cannot help but allow the adults to fade into the background of the moment. He is at ease with them and now, it is his priority to get as many playful nips onto his sister as he possibly can. He only spares Shikoba a passing glance when she took her own leave, but Silas thinks little of it, and returns to mouthing his sister's snout as soon as he can.

Silas is plenty content to continue this until they inevitably begin to slow down with the growing weight of tiredness, and their loving mother ushers them back to the den for a peaceful afternoon snooze.