Blackfeather Woods How deep is your love?

@Akela

Burke trotted through the forest in search for his friend, he wondered how he was settling in. After all the vagabond hadn't been in a pack setting for a long time. Maybe he disliked the idea of a pack and wanted to go, or he was really liking the 'free' food and shelter. The large male was quick to sniff his scent out between the general pack scent. There was always that hint of Akela that he could somehow pick up very easily. The grey male made no effort to be silent. 

"Ah, there you are," he spoke as he finally spotted the dark male. Luckily he could track one's scent otherwise it would be very difficult to find a black wolf in a dark forest. Maybe that was perhaps why they attracted so much black wolves. Who knows? Burke briefly wondered how Ayana was doing with her mission. She hadn't been back so he decided that such a thing was a good sign.

Even though the hunt had been a success, Akela had had a small apetite. He had almost just waited to the rest of the carcass, to take whatever sustained him. Being a lone wolf, he grew used to not eating much, and even know that his friend was giving him with more than enough food, he did not want to impose or abuse of the hospitality, especially since his mind was still troubled and full of doubts.

He went a little further away to clean himself and just take the time to rest...with some unorthodox plants he was chewing on when Burke arrived.  He lazily looked up and smiled.  "Awe, you were looking for me." he awed and spit the chewed plant out.  "Am I in trouble already ?" he asked with a cocked eyebrow. "Want some ?" he asked not even bothering to hide the fact that he was chewing something that in the effect was similar to coca leafs to humans.

Burke quirked up his lips when the male responded. He put his bunnybutt down and sat across from the male. "Oh yes, I was thinking we should start our affair now," he joked and then grew a bit more serious. He had to smile a bit at his own joke though. Burke thought it was funny. "No thank you. I am still on duty," he pointed out, technically he was always on duty. He wasn't caring much for any type of drug anymore.

Burke glanced over the male that seemed to be in good condition, for a lone wolf. "I wanted to check in to see how you are feeling after joining our pack, and if you happen to think of trades you might want to pursue in this pack," he explained. He wanted this members to do their best. Having a trade, or more trades, would make a pack mate more valuable. Plus they would know their place. Some were better at fighting and some were better at providing for the pack.

Akela gave the alpha an appreciative growl and whine. "Your loss , babe." he retorted and continued to chew his plant , feeling quite comfortable around the other male. He waited for him to talk about random stuff, or loners stuff, so when the question was risen , which trade he should take, he choked on the plant and coughed, before opening his mouth widely to vomit it out.   "For the ancestors' sake , you almost killed me" he commented in a raspy voice.

He swallowed a few times and licked his lips , then sneezed and shook his head.  "Warn a wolf before checking that stuff" he pointed and looked at Burke.  " You want to tie the knot, huh ? "  he titled his head to him and  looked to the side.  " I've been a counselor, gamekeeper , and chronicler back in my old back" he informed Burke. "But that was a long time ago ... I am not that wolf anymore...it died many years ago..." he crossed his paws.  " I've acquired some skills being on my own, it is up to you how you want to use them... my way of repaying your kindness in letting me share your food and shelter. "

Burke watched as the male was close to choking on the leafs he was chewing. Burke was almost amused at the sight, he actually laughed after his comment. "You are like a weed, Akela. You can't be killed, and always grow back," he spoke, which was actually a compliment coming from Burke. Akela would probably understand, what he said was a good thing. He shook his head with some fondness. "It is just about trades, You Moron. Just because you are used to being a hobo doesn't mean that it is an unusual topic conversation for a pack wolf." Burke smirked at the wolf before him.

Burke was all fondness though and next time he would remember to ease into pack related topics. The large male nodded courtly when Akela was more serious about trades. "I see, yes. Well you might still be a chronicler with all your crazy stories. Why it is up to me how I use them? You should pick the trades you like to follow," he explained. He could tell members what trade to follow but that meant they might not be happy with that trade. "Maybe you could be an outrider? That would still give you the feeling of traveling, and have some of your alone time," he pointed out.

Akela huffed.  "that's rude. I'm no hobo, thank you very much" he growled softly, not really liking the comparison.  He had no pack, but that did not mean he was homeless.  "I much prefer the weed comparison " he honestly , yet dryly replied.  There were just things that made him grumpy. He was clean, he was alone , but he was no hobo.  Yes he has not been a pack wolf, and to be honest, he could care less about trades right now. However, he told himself to let it go, and just another leaf to chew on to calm his nerves. In his half assed state of highness his filters were even more inexistent than sober.

" Nope, a chronicler has knowledge over the pack, I know more about your ass than about this pack, my crazy stories have no ears to be listened too here anyway. All too busy being shady. " he pointed out and stretched.  "Because I'm adaptable, one or the other, I honestly don't give a fuck about trades. " he replied and scratched behind his ear with his behind leg.  "Outrider is what you give one you want to have out of your sight. That hard to resist to me , hunny bunny ?"  he teased. " I have more time alone here, than when I was on the road you know...you guys are quite ....silent. "  he pointed out.  "I'm not sure you would want me to be your ambassador...yes I waste knowledge of it, but one or two of these and I start to talk shit about you. And before you know it, for everyone else, we're mated and using a surrogate." he blinked and laughed dirty.  " Mh mh, sorry, yes, outrider, great job , I'll not get fat like you, wonder what you want to say to others tho, beside to go fuck themselves with the biggest stick , so it pokes their stomach open and they die in the worst of agony. "

Burke grinned, even baring his teeth a bit because he was rather amused by Akela. The black wolf always had his way with entertaining Burke. Probably the reason why he stayed so long teamed up with the other wolf in the first place. "Yes, because you are a drug addict. I hope you realize that," the leader pointed out and snorted. He shook his head lightly and fell quiet because he started to listen to Akela's rambling. Burke was slowly putting more and more effort to not laugh. It was something rare and nice to do for once. He was usually so calm and serious. Not much talking indeed. 

"You are even high right now?," he licked his lips. Now he did start to wonder if it was smart to have Akela be a messenger. If he was high then he wouldn't really bring a message he would deliver it. "You are just hilarious. Just keep on dreaming. Mel is my mate not some surrogate mind you," he pointed out, technically he just indirectly told his friend that his mate was pregnant, if he wasn't high enough to read between the lines of what burke was saying. Oh dear, if Burke knew a bit more about his good friend he would have realized that might not be the smartest thing to say. "Usually when you are high you do have some good ideas. You tell me what kind of trades you want to do then."

Akela groaned and put his ears back in flat annoyance.  "I am not. It's common to chew this ...helps with the digestion as well. You just know nothing Bobtail, so shut up" he replied and stuck his tongue out.  He made a face. Was he high? Maybe a little.  "Maybe, but that's beside the point, you tried to kill me by getting me to choke on these...I shall not forget it !" he dramatically stated and let himself fall to the side , his body trembling with laughter.

When he sat back up however, his smile vanished. She was no surrogate, she was his mate. He was either too high and saw another subtext here, or he was not enough and got the underlining message. He swallowed. He remembered the day Catori had told him she was pregnant. He was organizing the meat reserves when she just went *put some aside for us*  and he had been so confused that it made her laugh for minutes on before he understood what she meant. The happiness he had felt that day, the pride of being her mate, the father of their future children... that swelling in his heart now ached.  He lost it all, before even having it. Lost in relieving past memories, he had zoned out what Burke might have said or not. This was a mistake, he should leave shortly, he knew he should, yet he did not find it in him to tell Burke so. This was no game, and while he had not explicitly stated that he would stay, he could not just spit in the hospitality that has been given to him.  "Mh? ... Outrider is fine by me. Just put me where you are lacking paws. " he spoke quietly. "I am your warden.. made you the promise of having your back, that's what I'll continue to do as well, when I'm here" he added with a certain hardness in his voice, as if he was trying to avoid something that had not even happen yet.

Burke raised one lighter dot on his brow when Akela became more offended. He was really joking around, but he would let it slide for now. The last thing he wanted was to annoy his friend and have him leaving. Oh no. He rather had his good friend stay with them. He was pleased to she the dark wolf start to laugh again, yet that was soon vanished. The male seemed to have dozed away from their conversation in his own thoughts. Well then. That a surprise. He wasn't sure what he had said to make the male doze off, maybe it was just the plan he was chewing, it was probably that. 

"I'm glad you think that way," he spoke. "Being a Warden is pretty simple. You just have to make other wolves get the fuck out of our territory and away from our borders." Burke could have been a warden with all the wolves he had chased off by now, but he wanted to have the titles of another trade. "I am sure you would do well in that my friend," he spoke, he thought to hear a hint of the hardness in his tone but he decided to let it go. "So what type of plant you are chewing on? What are the effects?"

"Are you saying  I choose a task too simple for me ? " Akela asked and cocked an eyebrow.  "I could be a warrior too , for old time 's sake, but from what  I've noticed at your border...well... no one is really on watch there and the ancestors' knows that there is going to be a possible arrival of loners".  He licked his lips.  " Word on the wind is saying that the pack of the hoshor plains is no more. " he informed the alpha. He had been listening to birds words, he was always out for that kind of information, sometimes survival depended on it.

He looked down at his paws.  " It's tobacco. " he informed Burke.  " Eases the nerves and pain, keeps you awake... chewing this on the road allows you to cover long distances without rest.  Not the most healthy ... nice side effect, I sometimes see my ancestors spirits... they run in the shadows of the woods..."  he spit it out.  " Once you stop however...you get hella thirsty and are feeling over exhausted. I was looking for Celandine for my eye...but I found these..and ooh well, why not. All that can happen is me dying from it...but then again you said your wife is a skilled healer...if not the skilled healer"

Burke liked the intel Akela had on their Hoshor neighbors. He knew those nomads wouldn't stick around long. This was why he would perfect as an outrider. "Is that so? I knew they wouldn't stay in this area any longer," he spoke and nodded in approval. "No, it is simple because you are a good wolf for wardening. Other wolves might find it more difficult,' he pointed out. "I know for a fact you will be a good outrider. You keep those ears open for all information you hear about other packs."

Burke looked over the plant his friend was chewing. He then snorted out a soft laugh. "So you don't stop chewing it?," he teased slightly. "She is a healer, and Potema and Cicero too. They learned it from her," he explained. So Akela was right, she was very skilled and super amazing. "I think I like the mushrooms more though. They don't give you that much after effects," he pointed out. Although one mushroom had gotten him really sick, while high he had picked the wrong one. That was horrible. After that he wasn't that much of a fan of mushrooms anymore.

"Brother, you should be a better neighbor, you do not gloat over other's poor fate without them being present. Have I not teach you manners " he spoke poshly and bumped his snout against Burke's neck.   " What are your orders for those tasks ? Kill, scare away ? Scar for life ?  Recruit ? Start rumors ? Or do I have free paw to do whatever pleases me "  He grinned. Loyaulty could not be bought, sometimes it could be acquired and prooved, but what bound Akela to Burke was something else completely, he was his brother in arm, he had stumbled on the older wolf when he had not been in the best of places, when he had almost given up on life entirely. Burke saved his life , even though Akela would probably never tell him.

"To be honest ? ...I'm sometimes  scared to stop chewing it. " he admitted. "But I am not doing this as much as I used to, it is not a plant that grows a lot in these lands. So if I'm more weird than usual, you'll know why. " he informed and turned his head towards Burke.  " I met young Potema...I think I made quite the impression on her. " he spoke proudly.  " Cicero ... mismatched eyes, singular pattern coat yeah? ...Huh ... what are the odds. Met that one before calling your ass to me. That was an interesting encounter. "  he spoke and stretched himself on the ground and rolled on his back and stretched even more.

Burke shook his head. "I only care profusely for my own, and that are those who are members of Black Feather. Outside of that I don't give a flying fuck about what happens to other packs," he pointed out. Black Feather operated alone. After the fiasco that was BCV he would never have an alliance again. He would need to mention to that his mate. She shouldn't take any more promises to those traitors and misusers. "We have enough members. Scare away, if they don't listen, go for the kill." Burke was completely unaware of Akela's deep loyalty to him. Burke just thought because he provided the male company in rough times, and they teamed up like brothers they formed a brother like bond, with a hint of sexual jokes. They were very weird.

Burke had to smile at Akela's honest answer. "I told you, you are probably addicted," he laughed. "I still love you lots though." Burke grinned a bit. "Oh you did huh? Well they are both interesting characters to say the least. Kinda like them too. Impression on Potema. Oh dear. Not sure what to think of that," he joked, just teasing him. When Akela rolled on his back and stretching himself Burke was almost tempted to jump him for some reason, what he did know was that Akela had to trust him with his life to show off all his vulnerable places to him.

"Dear heavens ...I really need to teach you  sarcasm , cynism and irony again.... my goodness when did you get a root stuck up your ass to take everything I say the wrong way ? " he retorted and huffed.  "Scare away or  kill ... I'll probably give them false hopes ...to get them to the border...to then scare them away ....cause  I'm a little shit like that and destroying others dreams has become a hobby" he wondered out loud.

"Yeah yeah, addicted,  You'd like to think that ...I'm so not...the only addiction I have is to chase your bunny butt. " he made whining sounds and turned his head towards  Burke's paws to lick them as a way you could describe as flirting with a whistle.  He rolled to his side and yawned.  "I probably shouldn't tell you I tickle her fancy ... not that I would act on it ... not that age difference really matters to me ...buuuuut  just not that interested in getting thaaaat settled in. Oh by the way...who's game keeping ...I found a great location to store stuff ... high enough to not be bothered by insects, slippy enough for those mother fucking cougars to leave it the eff alone. "

Burke inhaled softly. "You do need to teach that, ever since you have been gone there weren't many to be sarcastic with," he pointed out. He did laugh when the male told his rather sadistic plan. The male could only approve of that, and sometimes the male was a bit of a little shit. He could only agree. "Don't make yourself even more appealing now, Brother," he spoke, making it sound worse by adding 'brother' to that sentence. How sinful of him. 

Burke wiggled his docked tail. "You do have an obsession with it," he stated. "You keep going on and on about it," he snorted. It was almost the male's trademark. He looked down when the other licked his paws, a strange way to lick. Burke shook his head and then looked down with a deadpanned expression. "You better not give her any false hope and break her heart,' he stated. "I will give you a bunny butt if you do that!" The male gave him a strict look for a moment. "I'm the one who usually hunts. Why don't you show me?"

"Man , your life must have been quite empty without me...how did you survive huh ...beside getting your mate pregnant ?" he asked.  That came naturally, yet he couldn't help but feel some jealousy. After the memories, came the realization that he could have been a father of young wolves now. He wondered how they would have turned, what would have interested them. All those impossible things. The male stood up.  " I'm the most attractive wolf of your pack, I can't help it. " he joked.

" I stick to what cheers you up ...it suits you to be in a good mood. " he simply commented and nudged him to follow him into a certain direction.  "I'm not the one who is going to break her heart, not that kind of tryst wolf"  he stated. He had done that with Catori at the beginning, but now he had past the days of meeting to be a lover.  "You do the hunting and yet you manage to be chubby ...hoooow? " he asked while walking towards the location of the cache.

Burke laughed, technically there had been plenty to keep him busy. He had worked hard for his Dark Brother title and once he was the Beta of the pack he had worked even harder to keep everything on track and running. Meldresi had been busy with her young at that time and Burke was keen on proving himself. The dark male decided that he had done that by now. "Yes, well there is that," he spoke. But then again Meldresi had also been missing for a long time. "Actually. I just got her back. She was missing for a long time. I almost started to believe she died. The storm.. she went through that alone. You must have noticed that horrible tornado," he spoke in confidence to his friend. He had really been worried.

"I'm glad I have you around to cheer me up," he grinned then, trying to push away all thought of his mate missing and that horrible time period. Burke mellowed down a bit. "Ah I know you aren't," he agreed and quirked up his lips. "But still the warning holds as her stepfather." Burke took that role very seriously. Burke snorted out in laugher as he walked with the male for the perfect spot for a cache. He trusted him but still he liked to know his location. "I am not chubby. I am well fed," he pointed out. "Plus my alaskan fur makes me look chubby but I am not."

"That must have been tough, not having her around. " Akela spoke. "But at least, you have your mate back, not everyone can say the same. As for the sotrm, I was still in the mountains, found shelter and waited until it was over." The wolf spoke, maybe he was hinting to something, when speaking about the mate, but he was still not ready to tell anyone the reason behind his loner status.

"huhu, so tht's how you justify yourself, fine, I will not crush your dreams, Bunbun" he spoke and nudged him and lead him to the cache, it was as he described it. " With a little camouflage it could do the trick for this part of  the territory"

"It was terrible, and in the meanwhile I had the storm and need to be there for the pack," he explained and shook his head. Luckily those times were over now. Burke disliked to think back at it. Oh now his mate was back and probably even pregnant. She had to be with all the time they spend together while Meldresi was in heat. Burke was very excited. "I'm glad you found shelter, my friend. I'm glad."

The territory was finally turning normal, sure the water was still a bit high but other than that it was slowly inching back where the foul water belonged. "I might demote you to the lowest rank if you keep calling me that," he let out with a hint of a growl. Burke's pale eyes then fell on the new location for the cache. He approved of it. "Good work. I do agree. Well one step of being a gamekeeper has already been made," he spoke.

" That's what an Alpha does, problems, problems solved... explains all the grey hair ....ooooh snap that pun ...I have to hide for that one"  he spoke and gave Burke a bitch glare. " Whatever bro, lowest, highest, wherever you need me, the way you need me,  I will not stop calling you  Bunbun "  he shrugged, the threat not really hitting home at all. He knew for a fact that  Burke secretly loved the nickname he was just denying it for many unnecessary reasons.

In front of the cache,  Akela nodded.  "Exactly"  and as the other wolf was moving to go back, he frowned in realization.  "Wait....what ?  ... Buuuurke !" he walked after him.  He had never agreed to gamekeeping...had he ?

- Open END -

Burke had to laugh at Akela's joke. "I was born grey, well great," he grunted and then smiled. Akela was a good friend. Burke turned around and trotted back into the territory, now they had this new cache site, he wanted to fill it. "I know you won't. Shutting you up is impossible," he returned, docked tail waving behind him. 

Burke laughed when Akela stammered out and then moved into a trot so Akela would have to catch up. Akela would be a great hunter, he showed promise in the Gamekeeper and Outrider trade. And since he got to decide what Akela had to do then those were the two trades he was set on. Burke hummed. 

- fade thread end -