Hushed Willows I do taxidermy.

It happened completely by accident, really. It wasn't like he had intended to bypass the willows; he hadn't gone out of his way to find the scents of the other wolves, and he hadn't been lured closer by the chance to meet them — no, not Hollis! Never.

It was just... The trees, they whispered. Not to him, obviously, he couldn't understand them in the slightest. But he heard the whispers of their long, sinouous branches. He watched them. He listened. There was something acutely melancholic in the way they danced, and the sound of the wind drifting between them. Something so sorrowful, yet so appealing.

And then he smelled it — the stench of piss, the mark of the wolf. It ruined a perfectly good evening stroll to be completely honest. As soon as he found that smell he dropped his rear with a plop, his nose wrinkling in a flehmen response (and, okay, he was more than a little horrified by the discovery) but he didn't leave.

It was winter. He was lucky to have gotten this far without starving to death. If this was the secret the willows were keeping, perhaps he didn't need to understand them — so his thoughts went, as he tipped back his head and droned an ugly note through the trees.

The call drew her, though it was more than likely for the leaders, she was near and thus she decided to answer. her easy trot picked up and she altered her course a fraction as she ran along the border, soon slowing as the figure of another came into view quite suddenly. she approached with the normal stance of a wolf who''s territory another had come across, and her stance was drawn up, as she stopped a short distance away, chuffing a greeting and adding a short, "Hello "

her piercing gaze was curious to his purpose her, and she watched him and noticed no great signs of illness, which was good should he perhaps be seeking a home.

First the matter with Banner, then Kavos, then Gwen and the loner. Not the best week Stark had, but then, what was the saying? It all came in threes? Maybe it was finished then, and he wouldn't have to deal with anything for awhile. He licked his lips as be turned to cut through the pack rather than comb the border further once he heard the sound of the call. He was pleased to see Talewi already there, +1 for her in that regard. His blue eyes fixed on the male, a dominant arch in his posture and stance - no need to guess just who's scent marked those borders most heavily. 

Stark shared a glance with his pack mate before turning his attention to the stranger - waiting for him to get on with it. He'd called for a reason, after all, and Stark wasn't going to hold his hand and help him along. 

Don't all roll out the welcome wagon at once, went his internal monologue. Usually it was hard to keep from blurting that kind of junk out in to the open, but they caught him on a good day. Hobbles here was tired. He was hungry. He was fed up with the cold. So when a spry young lady arrived he had something to focus on besides the unforgiving sensations a lone wolf oft experienced.

He was on his feet with a sweep, his steps minimal but filled with swagger. When she greeted him he stopped and looked her over — in a very obvious manner — but before he could even attempt to be charming (read: inappropriately creepy), another figure made an appearance. The dark stranger arrived without much of a sound, but as soon as Hob caught sight of his raised tail and serious business face, he wisened up (but only a little).

A lopsided and toothy grin spread across his face as he looked over Stark. He sized him up the same way he had Talewi — like he was deciding between taking a bite or not. This time he licked his lips, apparently liking what he saw, and promptly began his spiel: Well hell-oh! What a fine day for a stroll, hm? I'll just cut to the quick of it — m'name is Hollis, his ears perked and he raised his head slightly, as if proud of himself for remembering his name; as he spoke he slunk towards Stark, but not too close.

As you can probably tell, I ain't tied town to nobody or nothin'. And I was thinking, maybe, perhaps, you could use another set of teeth to keep this place safe? Or maybe a body to keep you ah, warm, his eyes flicked between the two wolves suggestively, and that was where he stopped rambling.

His gaze swept over her in a manner that was hardly subtle, and slightly taken aback, she shifted in the slightest. but Stark soon arrived, and her gaze flickered to him quickly, offering a slight smile quickly. but the other had her attention again very soon, with his odd way of speaking and the casual manner of which he delivered. a name was given; Hollis, and an intention soon after. 

he sought a place here, and though she understood the use of an extra set if fangs, the "keeping warm" threw her. what sort of skill was that? the Crook was warm enough, and offering ones body heat did not seem especially useful at a meeting such as this one. her confusion showed in the crinoline of her brows, and though a question waited on the tip of her tongue she stayed silent.

It was obvious the way that the males eyes raked over his wolf and himself that there was a connotation there that was rooted in the deep and dark. His blue eyes narrowed a bit, flashing from Talewi to gauge her reaction. A dark ear curved towards the stranger as he offered himself, providing warmth - among another layer of something else. Stark didn't move, watching him as he considered the options. He didn't need someone to warm his sides, he didn't need a plaything. "What more do you have to offer, Hollis, we all have teeth - even the youngest among us. I'm curious what you've got to offer in there."  he gave a slight nod towards his skull, hoping the male would have more to suggested. 

He'd accept Talewi on the basis of her spunk and drive - this male would need to show the same capabilities to him if he had any hope of staying in the keep. " What would you say we need, Talewi?" Stark asked, allowing her to join in to the process and give her opinion. 

It seemed that the male second guessed his decision, for it was soon that he simply turned and left, leaving the woman to watch after him, wondering about his oddness. To Stark's question, she answered with a grin,  "well, obviously,  not him " 

when the stranger had disappeared from view, she offered her goodbyes to the Alpha, turning tail and trotting swiftly back into the territory, perhaps to do some hunting.