Dragoncrest Cliffs but she got legs up on the dash

preferably someone he hasn't met yet

The little dots down in the sound disturbed him. There were more than just the trio the other day, belying their assertion that it was just a quiet little picnic. Of course, he'd never believed them in the first place--this just sealed the deal. Vercingetorix watched them move around, perched on the edge of the cliffs, lips curled back in a silent snarl.

There was a slim chance that he'd be more amenable to close company if he wasn't coming off the heels of a war. But we're talking hair-thin, '90s model slim. He was hot-blooded, always would be, and territorial with it. Just because he was a jovial man didn't mean he let things slide.

They wouldn't get away with this. Somebody would paint that beach red before winter was over.

He began to prowl the border, and then beyond it, marking copiously. He'd do the same for the sound, but for now, he focused on Drageda's strongest claim. Perhaps an arrangement could be made with the dark-headed woman, but they sure as fuck weren't going to take the cliffs, too. Over his dead, bloated body.

Your post said he was outside the borders at some points, right? Let me know if I should change anything.

After Vegas, she was alone once more. Kasatka had contemplated trying to make a life out of roaming, as she'd been told her father had in his youth - but while they were similar in many ways, this did not seem to be one of them. Besides, she still had to find Aditya, didn't she?

It was just - the world seemed so big. And she was afraid of what she might find out if she were to see him again.

Kasatka had made it to the coast and seen the clouds before turning back home. But Morningside had been absent from the Maplewood, and fresh snow had covered their tracks, and a storm had turned her around until she found herself standing at the borders of a pack by the sea, and Kasatka had only been half-considering stopping when a dark form suddenly appeared.

She stepped forward before she could change her mind, tail whisking in an uncertain but friendly manner. "Hey!" she called out in greeting, her voice warm as ever.

On-guard as he was, he rounded on the girl and snarled, bristling. Once he'd realized she didn't carry the scent of the sound, nor Blackhead and her like, he relaxed, his face transforming into something incredibly sheepish. With a sigh, he shook his head, giving the girl a rueful grin. Even if it was a trap, her sunny aura was too much to resist.

Sorry about that, Vercingetorix said, trying to relax his raised hackles. It's been a hell of a few days. Thought you might be someone else. He let out a puff of a breath, a laugh along with it. Let's start over. What's up? What can I do for you?

She was a little young to be out by herself--well, no younger than the Drageda kids running around right now. Still, the past week had aged him considerably; he felt ancient compared to her. What a fucking shame.

Little Kasatka sprang back in shock as the man showed her his teeth. She couldn't remember the last time someone had behaved this way toward her - mostly because the answer was never. No one had ever snarled at her. But after her initial recoil (which had landed her on her ass) she found herself frozen with shock, which was the only reason she didn't run before the man's face mysteriously transformed.

"It's okay!" she hurried to assure, eager to keep him out of the black mood she'd found him in. It was odd, but he seemed friendly, now. Kasatka straightened out a bit, standing but keeping her body low as she regained the distance her stumbling had put between them. "I'm Kitten," she said uncertainly, feeling unusually shy in the wake of the man's moodswing. He'd asked questions, but her tongue felt heavy in her mouth - what had she come to him for? "I guess... I want to join this pack?"

His grin grew wider, infinitely more amiable, though he was incredibly sorry he had startled her. Kitten, he repeated. It fit her well, sweet little thing. Her half-statement, half-question had him cocking his head in interest, sizing her up while still trying to keep her at ease.

Well, okay, Vercingetorix said, not quite expecting that. He just thought she'd come with a message or something. Do you. . .do you know anything about this pack? Who we are, and all that? He wasn't sure if she had just stumbled upon them or if she had prior knowledge. Again, she looked too young to have traveled a long ways, but one never could tell.

I'm Vercingetorix, he added as an afterthought, remembering his manners. Uh. . .I know, it's a shitty long name. Call me whatever you want.

He repeated her name. It didn't seem to be a question, but she didn't want to disappoint him, either! "Yep!" she replied with another wag of her tail, her body wiggling in desperately friendly way that dogs sometimes have when they know they have been Very Bad. Kasatka, in turn, felt terrible to have startled him enough for him to react that way.

His next questions, however, caused her ears to fall back in embarrassment. She didn't know anything about this pack, but what could possibly be wrong with it? With her limited worldview, she couldn't imagine packs being any different from Morningside or Round Valley. "Um - no," she admitted, her voice sheepish, "but maybe you could tell me?" she suggested, her voice growing a bit higher as she dared to request such a thing from the male.

Her eyes widened a bit at his lengthy name, and then a fraction wider at his invitation to call him "whatever". It seemed like an awful lot of pressure for having just met him, so she decided to forgo it entirely, for the moment. "My name's Kasatka, actually," she shared, feeling a bit of kinship with the man. "But that's too long, I guess, so my family always calls me Kitten."

Yeah, of course, he said easily, softening his gaze at her. No problem. There was always the possibility that she was some sort of spy--but if she was, mad props to her, because she was killing it at selling the whole "guileless" thing. He wasn't too worried about a girl, anyhow, sexist as that may come off. If she turned out natrona, he could crush her--and if she was genuine, then he'd love her like one of their own.

He dipped his chin toward the cliffs, half-visible behind the trees. We're Drageda. We live on those cliffs and this forest, basically. There are other areas to explore but you'll see 'em. He clicked his tongue idly, thinking. Uh, I guess we're sort of. . . Vercingetorix struggled for the word, momentarily; sometimes it happened, Trigedasleng being his mother tongue.

Tight? he ventured, brows raised. Like, we're close. We're family, and we don't take kindly to traitors. He thought of Heda's ex-mate and resisted another growl, not wanting to scare Kitten again. But if you do your part and stay cool, everyone will like you. You'll be one of us soon enough--kru.

He lifted his head, staring down at her with a grin. Sound good to you, Kasatka?

Kasatka wagged her tail a little harder when her request was accepted. It was interesting to hear about another pack, but she couldn't see how Drageda was any different from Morningside. Her family used to be tight, and Round Valley still was. And she didn't understand exactly how someone turned into a traitor, but she thought fleetingly of Aditya and vowed to herself that she would never become one. It hurt to even think about it!

"I can do my part," she ventured, still sounding a little uncertain. She knew she wasn't much if her only endorsement was that she could feed herself and wouldn't be a burden, but she didn't know what else to say. "I'm a Corten, and we've got spirit," she added, hoping this would buoy her image somewhat. "What do I have to do to join?"

The trepidation would have made him more nervous if she was older, but she was just a kid, for crying out loud. Out on her own, without family, trying to join a completely new pack. Nerves were always gonna be part of that equation. He smiled at her affirmation of her bloodline, giving her an impressed nod.

Well, first we should call for Heda, Verx explained. She's our commander, kind of a living legend. But don't worry--just explain yourself as well as you have to me, and she'll like you just fine. He summoned @Antumbra with a low, rich howl, then stared back down at Kitten, head cocked slightly.

You got a family around here, Kitten? Just wanted to get away, or what? What's your old pack called? By no means was he trying to interrogate the girl, but quick, honest answers would put her even more in his favor. Any waffling could be a sign of treachery.

Antumbra starts to miss the days before she left when things were quiet. They didn’t have neighbors up their ass crack and there weren’t wolves asking to join at the borders. Outsiders are a gamble and she’ll continue to weigh on them but they have a new way of working things these days and for that she is more than grateful Blixen is the one stepping up next to her.

As she arrives at the border, she notes Vercingetorix whom she greets gently with a nod before looking expectantly on the young girl on her borders.

Kasatka was terribly flattered that Vercingetorix wanted to hear about her family - she wasn't street-smart enough to know she was being investigated. "I have family at Undersea," she shared, pointing her nose toward her cousin's island. "And I had family in the taiga - our pack's called Morningside - but I don't know where they went. There was a fire, and then I was lost for a while, and now..." A distinctly uncomfortable look crossed her face as she contemplated what was next, in that arena. "I'm sure I'll see them again sometime," she decided, her expression clearing as she convinced herself of this fact. "They probably just moved again." That was what the Morningsiders did, right?

The girl's breath caught in her throat as the larger wolf approached. It was not her size, but the force of her presence that made Heda seem so - well, scary. And maybe it was that she was still reeling from her near-miss with Vercingetorix, or maybe it was the tingle of electricity in the air. Either way, the Commander made quite an impression on young Kasatka, and she nearly wilted as the full force of Heda's gaze was turned upon her.

"M-my name is Kasatka Corten," she said in as strong a voice as she could muster. "I want to join your - " she paused and sucked in a breath, trembling slightly, and stole a glance at Vercingetorix to try and borrow a bit of confidence. "I want to be part of your kru. I promise I'll be good and cool and not be a traitor ever."

His face split into a wide grin at the mention of Morningside, although it diminished dramatically as she mentioned their absence. Did you check the Maple-- he began, thinking of what they had said, but there was no time to continue that train of thought, for now Heda was here, silently expectant. Vercingetorix gave her a respectful dip of his head before giving Kitten the floor.

He couldn't help smiling at her earnest plea. When she looked at him, he nodded--you're fine, keep it up!--in silent approval. When she had finished, he turned his gaze back toward Antumbra, blinking slowly.

She's from Morningside, Verx explained. She said she couldn't find them. They were in the Maplewood, last we saw, he explained as an aside, glancing toward Kasatka. Because of the fire. But I told her about Drageda, and she seems interested and determined. Start 'em young, right?

All joiners come from somewhere. Another family, another pack. In Drageda, they are surrounded by wolves that are not their own. That do not know them. Trigeda offers more than that and they know what they’re getting into. Kasatka is young but old enough to make decisions for herself like Tux or Silkie. They did not rescue her from certain death like Ephraim and reframed him from his former life.

“We visited Morningside not too long ago,” she explains to the girl. “If you want to return to them, we will send you with an escort but if you want to stay, that is your decision. What are you good at? And what do you like to do?”

Kasatka didn't want to contradict her new friends, but they both seemed very kind, so she decided to be forthright: I'm sorry, ma'am, but I was just there. There are no Morningsiders at the Maplewood, she apologized, as thought it was Heda's loss an not her own. I'm sure they just moved - we haven't really since I was born, and that's a long time, I think. We're nomads. The way she said this hinted that she did not really know what the word meant.

She looked between them again, her tail wagging as she beheld the two massive forms. Would she ever be that size? She was eight months old - she ought to be at least half grown by now, right?

I'm good at fishing, and I like to climb and explore, she said, not really understanding that the question had been posed to determine what she might be worth to the pack. What do you like to do? she asked shyly, returning the question to Heda.

His brows drew together in confusion. Morningside, already gone from the Maplewood? They were literally just there. He thought of the pretty women they had met, and his stomach churned a little, mind running through all the possibilities of what could have happened. It was only Kasatka's innocent question that brought the cheer back.

Asking Heda what she liked to do! He sat back on his haunches, a delighted smile coming over his face as he stared at her. She was too sweet for words. He'd have to work hard to make a killer out of her, but he thought he just might be able to pull it off.

Kasatka corrects her and her ears twitch, uncertain what to make of it. It hadn’t been that long since they’d been there and while she knows wolves can leave in a matter of hours—she’s seen it, she’s done it—but somehow she can’t make herself believe it. There’d been a few confusing things coming from the Maplewood wolves anyway but the girl strikes a chord and she nods. Aviana had not mentioned them being migrators but they hadn’t stayed long. Still, Antumbra is curious and she rolls over a number of wolves to send back to the Maplewood to scout for her.

“I like to fish and explore, too,” she says, unable to keep a smile from her face. She glances briefly at Vercingetorix but she does not see disapproval on his face. Has having a family made her soft? Would she have turned this sweet child away because she does not fit in with hardened soldiers? Will she be able to defend herself? She'll worry about that later. There are plenty of wolves to teach her a thing or two and fine tune her strengths. “Welcome to Drageda.”

Kasatka gave a hearty wag of her tail when she learned that Heda liked the same things as she did. Maybe they would be friends? She hoped she would also be able to befriend Vercingetorix, even if she was still a bit uncertain about him. It seemed that, despite their intimidating figures, the wolves of Drageda were kind and reasonable.

Thank you, Heda, she said with a bright smile when she was welcomed into the pack. Unable to help herself, the girl's front paws pumped excitedly against the ground for a beat or two. She wanted to run and dance all of the sudden, but she didn't want to embarrass herself in front of her new pack. I won't disappoint you!

All was well. Vercingetorix dipped his head to the girl, hoping to get himself into her good graces after they had started off on such a poor note. Wanna take a tour of the place? he asked, smiling. I'd be happy to show you around. His tail wagged at the thought, and he glanced at Antumbra to make sure all was well.

Well, why wouldn't it be? She had allowed Kasatka in, after all.

Antumbra quite likes the addition of Brana. It gives wolves like Kasatka a chance to learn more about Drageda without getting too close. She can learn more in the coming days and weeks of them and if it is not for her, she can leave upon her own free will. How can they expect so much of a wolf on the borders without a little benefit? Especially in a place that do not often know them. She gives a final nod to Vercingetorix and a smile toward the girl, before she offers her own dismissal.

I'd love to! said Kasatka, giving another excited wiggle. She managed to subdue any more puppyish dancing until they were out from under Heda's intimidating eye. Then, however, she could not help but unleash the happy not-quite-yearling inside of her. She darted around Vercingetorix in a quick circle before rearing back on her hind legs to do a leaping twist. She very nearly lost her footing, then, but managed to stick the landing in the end.

The edge was taken off of her excited energy, but she still kept doggedly after her guide, matching his larger stride step for step when she could, but skipping along beside him when she could not. Do you think I'll be as big as you? she asked, hopping alongside him to try and measure herself against his larger frame. Were your mom and dad big? My brother is big, but my mom's smaller. But not as small as I am.

Basically, she's annoying af. Calm down, Kitten.