Arrow Lake rocket raccoon

Hello, there. If you are entering this scene, you will notice that it is some time early in the morning when the sky is still tinged with night. Stars are faint but present, and the star of the sun is rising steadily over the horizon. The lake shore is quiet, and the lake itself is dotted with resting waterfowl. However, it is on the further back corner of the lake shore that we take our greatest interest. There you will see a line of animals, one larger but not much larger than the rest. The one on the farthest end is either a fox or a wolf, cloaked in a red cap. Her back is hunched as she repeatedly dips her paws into clear waters. Her pennant of a tail is held high as if she were some sort of tour guide. Beside her there is a line of five baby raccoons, each pudgy with youth. Their faces are fixed intently on the fox-wolf, and they mimic her actions with faithfulness and over-eagerness. One of them suddenly yips and falls back, and a silver fish the size of a Swedish Fish is launched into the air. It soars and almost seems to float as chaos breaks over the group. However, it never manages to reach its end, which is full of hungry mouths and greedy paws, but remains suspended--this time dangling in the caretaker's mouth. It is not clear who she will favor. The baby raccoons begin to vouch of their worthiness for the catch.

Rats I would have love to see her join us. here at the Sunspire we need more fun pack members.

Sorry it took so long to respond I was taken afar away from any sort of internet connection since last friday. *Hooks the internet IV in* I'm back now

Ferdie Von Pelt had been leaving his Territory once a week for a while now to race full out on a path he was beginning to wear into the grass around upper arrow lake. He thoroughly enjoyed the flat out run without the crags and rocks of the mountain tripping him up. Not that he didn't love his new mountain home.

He was running full out when he almost tripped up head over tail, skidding to a halt he stood mouth agape as he stared at the scene before him. ahh... He was going to interrupt and say something but he couldn't there was nothing he could do or say to make sence of this... what ever this was.

Did she know they were not wolf cubs? Did she care? suddenly he wondered if he cared, if he found a litter of baby raccoons would he have done the same? probably... he was ever the father figure and pup caregiver and so he scooted closer, sat and watched from a yard or less away. Not wanted to interrupt, would the one with the white tip on it's tail win the favor or the one with the darkest mask,

Oh! It's fine. I figured something was up. But hm, maybe maybe. Or Leaf has taken a liking to Jace is the thing. Maybe plotting is in order. (Oh, and just to clarify: she's a lone wolf in this thread).

No one would win. With the savagery of a wolf, the little red wolf slurped in the little silver fish with very, very little empathy. Chaos broke over the gaze of baby raccoons. The one with the white-tipped tail and the one with the darkest mask formed an alliance and rebelled. They jumped to scratch their caretaker, but she merely stepped aside and watched them plop one by one into the waters. Unbeknownst to them, the waters were shallow and harmless enough. They screamed and sputtered and splashed and spat only to realize that they were only in a few inches deep. The other three baby raccoons and the wolf broke out into laughter. More punishment for such rebellion. They deserved their soggy fates. It was at this point that the little red wolf decided to acknowledge the other wolf, whose scent had reached her some time before. She barked at him and invited to approach. If he had wanted to attack them, he would have a while ago.

Ferdie's ears swung forward and he watched with keen interest though he regarded the racoon's very carefully. Racoon's were vicious creatures an adult was willing to take on a wolf with no qualms. Tentatively he stepped forward, his 'cub raising instinct' taking over.

This brute could not fish to save his life so he had nothing to offer these little ones, His full attention was on the gaze of raccoon cubs instead of the female wolf as he drew up and stood still.
Where did you find them? He asked the female whom was seemingly in charge of these cubs without taking his eyes off the cubs. His tail swayed gently he wanted to nudge a cub without getting his face bitten off, more then cub raising he was a very vain wolf, as was shown by his exceedingly well groomed coat

As the other wolf approached, the little red wolf quickly began to appreciate how large and intimidating and stern he looked! Blinking hard, she was surprised that such a regal creature would ever have an interest in children. Though the more she thought about it, the more she found it amusing. She soon chuckled to herself and watched as the cubs began to swarm around her. They did not like strangers as much as she. "In a forest," she said unhelpfully. She tilted her head and stared at the king of a wolf with wide, pale green eyes. "Does your pack know that you have such a soft spot for young ones?" she asked. It was clear to the little red wolf that she was truly talking to a wolf of high rank--most likely an Alpha, what with the way he held himself; that, or he was merely a creature who cared for an unblemished appearance--and it would not be too long before she learned that he was, in fact, the leader of The Sunspire. (But that is a thread not yet concluded and so we will leave such details out). One of the cubs began to peek from behind her busy tail and ventured forth, reaching out with black hands. She did not discourage the cub but did maintain her gaze on their visitor.

Ferdie Von Pelt may not have had a fish to offer but he did have something else a belly full from hunting, instinct drawn from the begging raccoon cause him to worry that it was hungry, he drew his lips back from his teeth and opened his mouth, retching up a meal of chewed but not largely digested meat.

Ferdie stepped back offering the easy meal to the cub then he sat, keeping a eye on the cubs but finally affording the female his regard since he was sure the cubs would at least be distracted by the meat rather then attacking him.

He rolled his shoulders It matters not what they think, since I am the Alpha of my pack. And it is my job to protect them but most of all the next generation. though these cubs could hardly be the next generation of my pack they are still babes and I just can't help myself. If he were female he would probably start lactating every time their was an abandoned cub. Thankful he was not, he was just a hearty strong male with an extremely soft spot for young.

You seem to have a soft spot for cubs, or did you steal them from their mother He suddenly looked appalled at the thought of stealing cubs from another beast, but then if she was that good a thief..... he cleared his throat and his mind, those plans were best left for later and most definitely not with a wolf he did not know if he could trust. Sorry I did not mean to accuse, the words fell from my mouth before my brain could stop them.

Though it was reasonable for a wolf to regurgitate its food for its young (at least according to one website the writer researched), it was less likely that a raccoon would share the same mechanism--or sentiments. As the other wolf began offer his lunch, the baby raccoons first watched in fascination before their faces turned to sheer terror and then disgust. Pawing at their caregiver with small, black hands, the little red wolf nipped them affectionately before returning her attention to the wolf. He was an Alpha. Visions of her encounters with the big, black wolf surfaced to her mind, and she wondered if this Alpha was familiar with The Sunspire. Though she may have noticed that this particular wolf's scent was more dominant in the land than say hers, she was not able to piece together the puzzle that was forming. So she laughed once, then twice as the Alpha was for a moment rude with his words. She, of course, thought no such thing. "Then I would be very clever," she said with a smile. Whether she had stolen the cubs from their mother or not, the fact that she was able to have a fresh supply of meat depending on her was impressive. If that was true. "Protecting others is difficult. I recently heard of a story where a big, black wolf attempted to stop a packmate, only to have him turn on him. They became embroiled in a fight to death. Unfortunately, no one won, and they were both banished from the pack." As she spoke, her eyes searched the older male but revealed little of her intent. She acted strangely around him, even talked differently. Quietly, she searched for the reason why this was so.

Sorry my kids were sick, then I caught what they had, and ugh, it was just awful, awful stuff

Ferdie watched the raccoons, normally the little beasties were not so picky. In-fact in order to save himself from a savage female raccoon once; since he must have stumbled to close to her den was to offer her the only food he had which was in his stomach. The vicious she-coon had seemed so content about it at the time and saved him a face full of scratches, a lost meal was nothing to him when it came to literately saving his vain hide. So vain was he that had painstakingly groomed his pelt thinner then the rest of his pelt over some freshly healed scars under his well groomed pelt that served as a constant reminder of the tragedy of swiftcurrent creek; So that it lay correctly and did not look like there was anything there.

Ferdie shrugged and ate a small sample of what he thought was a divine offering then backed up and sat down waiting to see if the cubs hunger would win out. if not he'd probably re-eat the meal later, waste not want not in the wilds.

When Red shared this story with him he lifted his head slowly and stared into her face, looking for ill-intent, more lies being spread did not bode well... Ferdie's brow twitched then he licked his lips and shook his head sadly.

I heard a much different version of that story. It's a sad tale nonetheless. He cleared his throat as if preparing to pass on an old wolves tale, kind of like a story bed time tale, and in part it could very well be a lesson teaching story if told truthfully, His voice rumbled taking on the guise of an older story time teller, he was good at telling stories to cubs, his tone calming and his stories usually full of emotion. But then he was a caretaker at heart and if one knew him they would know he could not have attacked or even struck out at a pup. That never happened though the lies would continue to leak are grow as they were wont to do.

Protecting others is difficult especially when the black wolf was protecting the first wolf from other pack mates. When that failed he had to protect the first wolf from his ownself.
The Black wolf did succeed in saving the first wolf the the first wolf's own demons but it came at a toll to them both. The pack mates that had helped to start this fight began to spread lies about the encounter.
Ultimately they were cast out before they could explain to the alpha, not only how it happened but why it had happened.
Ferdie frowned at his new realization and the end of the story that would likely make this a tale to pass on.
If just 'one' of those pack wolves had listened, just one, the outcome for the two males would have been much different.

Ferdie now looked away, to him pack was family and families didn't do 'this' to each other he couldn't finish his tale[size=x-small] Instead they were cast out in a moment of great need. And when the males had found a away to survive; the pack that cast them out, hunted them down and tried to continue to bully them.[/size] This part he left unsaid for that would have revealed, if she did not know already, that he was the one in part of the lies she may have heard.

Haha aw the joys of fatherhood. Hope y'all are doing better now!

There was no ill-intent in the little red wolf, though this did not necessarily mean she was harmless. Cocking her head to the side in intrigue, she whined softly and urged the older wolf to continue. As he began, she heard his voice change into that of a storyteller. She was captivated. Her story had certainly not been false, though this did not necessarily mean it was truthful. In fact, she had heard the story from the big, black wolf himself. Any falsification would have been his own bias towards his experience. As she listened to the story unfold, she found pieces which were similar, and the common thread of misunderstanding, as well as a tragic note of conclusion, were present. Feeling a frown dimple the cheeks of her face, she looked at him curiously and then realized. She wanted to ask more about this "first wolf," who still remained an enigma in her understanding and who seemed to be at the crux of all this drama. "Who was this first wolf?" Hearing small squeaks, the little red wolf turned to look down at her raccoon babies and realized they were all bawling. It was difficult to know whether they had understood the story or simply had been caught in the older wolf's storytelling. Hushing them, she licked each on the head before pushing them once more to the other wolf's gift of food. They continued to make faces before eventually giving in. Just this question, she thought. "And what happened to those two males?" Okay, one more.

Ferdie Von Pelt suddenly realized through out this whole encounter he had been nothing but rude. at least his his mind he had been. Though probably less so in the minds of other wolves since here in the Teekon wilds, wolves tended to horde their names like they were precious gems never to be shared, Ferdie felt it was just the opposite, one should know whom they are talking to.

Ferdie paused unable to answer her questions without his being answered first I'm sorry milady, I just realized I have been rather rude, I did not introduce myself, nor did I catch your name; I am Ferdie Von Pelt. He stood just a bit taller and drew in a breath awaiting her name, unaware he was holding his breath, He'd tell her about the personal side of the story if he knew her slightly more personally.

He did not divulge any other information for he did not expect that back from her, just her name would make him complacent enough to share the rest with her. He smiled fondly at the raccoon cubs then up at her. Hoping to help her feel at ease enough to share her name.

Hehe I'm actually gonna end it here just because so much has happened since this thread. Let me know when you're free to have another!

The little red wolf happened to be one of those wolves who was a bit more protective of her name. In her culture, first names were given only to those most intimate to oneself--and even when given to friends, honorifics were tagged on in order to show both privacy and respect. But it really was not her culture that made her hesitate, but rather the realization that she was uncertain whether she wanted to know the other wolf better. She did not know how expensive such knowledge would be to her heart. "I know," she said while bowing down in respect to the Alpha of Sunspire. "It's an honor meeting you." Her earlier suspicions had been correct. Pushing her baby raccoons to the side with a paw, they scurried off obediently. It was time to leave. "Big Black Wolf mentioned you last time. He likes the name Imp, but tell him he can call me--" she began before pausing, "Leaf." With that and her children now hidden, she flashed a smile before dashing off without further goodbye. She would later pick up her children and place them on her back before returning home to her makeshift den.

Ferdie frowned, she knew, she knew more then she let on, but whom told her that story.... he hummed to himself; word traveled fast and far, he did not like it. But now she gave a name and told him to share it, that didn't feel right but perhaps he would share it if the opportunity arose, little did he know the relationship between the two was so sticky.

Ferdie offered something to Leaf that he treasured most Leaf, I would love to call you friend perhaps we shall meet again soon mi'lady,

Ferdie didn't know why but he ached to asked her one more favor please though... don't hurt that Big Black wolf he didn't know why he asked but if she asked his to pass on her name there was something there between those two and Ferdie knew how awkward Jace was with females.... [size=x-small]he's been hurt enough.... [/size]Ferdie Whispered dubting she heard that.
A good female would make the world of difference for Jace but a heart break may do alot more damage to the already damaged wolf