Otter Creek Nothing beats a good swim.

Crius sat on the edge the bank of Otter Creek, his eyes fixated on the cobalt slightly murky water. He had finally found something to eat after trotting around the forest aimlessly for what must have been days. Lightly huffing he let out a shallow breath and stood up, the water was glistening as the spring sun radiated down on the water's surface. Small waves crashed against the water's edge. The water seemed almost beckoning to the dark male. 

 "Hm..." He checked behind himself making sure no one was creeping up on him. Taking a few laps of water, he shook his fur he was heating up a little too much for his comfort his chocolate fur becoming slightly matted against his skin, twigs and mud entangled in his fir. "Shouldn't be any harm harm in taking a dip right?" He asked himself taking another quick glance around the creek. 

Crius gingerly sauntered into the water, he began wading his way up the creek trying to refresh and cleanse himself.

Hope you don’t mind if I join this.  :)

The sight of a wolf caught Lumar’s eye, as she padded through Kintla.  It had been a few days or maybe even a week or two now since she had last spoken to Judas and she was still intent on the idea of advising a rebellion.  Hmm... maybe she could try to manipulate this wolf.  It was a thought.  Anyways, there wasn’t any harm in trying?  Was there?  She could always offer a bribe... or use fear against them.  She needed more help, she craved more help.  The wolves needed to go, or at least that’s what the psychopathic coyote thought.

The coyote watched as the male slipped into the water and decided that this would be a good chance to show herself.  Anyways... if this wolf happened to want to kill her or hurt her at first sight, the water could slow down his movements and give her an okay timespan to flee.  “Hello.”  Lumar spoke to the wolf.  Although it was slurred with her French accent, her English was getting better and slowly she was begging to become more fluent in her speak.  Her eyes intently watched the wolf, waiting to see what he would do.

I don't mind at all c; Note though Crius might think she's a wolf, he's never seen a different species of canine.

Crius submerged himself in the water, muzzle protruding just enough from the water's surface for him to breath; this was his technique to cool off back home before coming to this new area.  An unfamiliar scent invaded his nostrils, and he quickly breached standing up in the shallow creek. 

Not too soon after he breached the water a voice broke his focus; it wasn't like any voice he had heard before, it seemed a bit slurred. He turned to see a female wolf not too far from the bank of the creek. This female appeared to be a bit lanky, perhaps she was of a different breed, or came from a line of scavengers. "How do you do?" Crius asked, slightly eerie of the stranger. 

He began wading his way towards her slowly; the water made his fur a bit heavier if she wanted to attack him it'd be far easier for her as he could barely move.

“I am good.  You?”  Lumar slurred.  Surprise settled in her gut though.  Why was this wolf not appearing to be to untrusting of her?  It was ever so strange, since wolves and coyotes were normally not a good match, when they were near each other.  She decided to be very cautious around this wolf, as she knew that even the friendliest creatures could turn out to be the deadliest of enemies.  Although maybe this wolf just happened to be a little naive.  She sure could use that to her advantage.  She was certain of it, and all the while win the male’s trust.

“Thy water is nice, isn’t it?”  Lumar continued, with her slurred speech.  Her gaze flicking to the body of water and then back to Crius.  “Then again, I do not prefer getting my pelt wet.”  Lumar shrugged.  “Are you a lone wolf?  I am very surprised to see that you are out of a packs boundaries.”  Lumar remarked.  It was strange indeed as the female knew that wolves almost always were in the grasps of a pack, she could tell that this one was currently on his own, because he did not carry the scent of one on him.

Crius smiled at the female, her tone of voice was exotic to his ears. Maybe she was like Cicero; she didn't speak in third person but, her voice was harmonious to the dark wolf; almost like a symphony of foreign delight. "I'm pleasant thank you for asking, it's been such a hot day I figured I would take a swim." He chuckled lightly, eyes observing the other Coyote, unaware that she wasn't of his breed. She was far smaller than he thought, then again any wolves in these parts were slightly rawboned. 

"The water is divine, and I can more than understand the troubles of a wet pelt." He laughed, his hide had become heavier just by wading through the cobalt creek. She had asked him if he had a pack, that was a question he had gotten a few times already, but his answer still has yet to chance, perhaps she was an alpha looking for members. "I can't say I do have a pack, I've been wandering these parts alone for about four moons now?" He contemplated, he had kept track of his time spent by keeping note of how many full moons he observed it had been about two months since he drifted into the area.

"I assume you're a lone wolf as well?" He asked, shaking his fur in an attempt to dry himself.

This was before he joined moonlit hills, just in case you see the little change below his name ;)

Lumar listened intently to the wolf as he spoke.  When the male asked if she was a lone wolf, all of the puzzle pieces came together.  So this was why the wolf was being so nice.  He though she was a wolf!  What luck!  She could really use this.  This opportunity was just beyond excellent, it was almost as if luck was on her side today.  This was perfect... just perfect.  Lumar then slipped into her world of lies.  Although not everything that she said was a lie in her eyes.

"Yes, I am a lone wolf and I advise you stay one too.  The packs here are brutal.  I know.  I learned the hard way...  They will try to lure you in with friendliness, then they'll turn their back on you and try to murder you in your sleep.  I got lucky and escaped, but not everyone is lucky..."  Lunar lied in her slurred though improving French accent.  Her eyes swept the ground almost looking sorrowfully deppressed.  Then her eyes flicked back up to the wolf.  "Although a good blindside on a pack would be good.  Teach them a lesson."  Lunar murmured in a offering tone.

Crius' eyes widened at the smaller wolf's claim, were the Packs of this area as obstreperous as she claimed? It couldn't be true couldn't? Then again Crius had no evidence to say otherwise, Cicero was a tad bit off-putting in his demeanor; saying such unsavory things about his own pack. It would be wise for Crius to heed her words, she surely had far more experience than him with the indigenous packs.

"A blindside? What do you mean?" He asked, concern in his voice this woman has clearly seen the brutality of the local wolves.

Lumar gave the male a friendly, yet mischievous smile.  “A blindside means that we would corrupt them, without them even suspecting anything at all.  That could teach the wolf packs here, that we are strong and will not be led to destruction by their rule.”  Lumar explained with her foreign French slur.  Then once more slipped into her partial lies.  “They already know who I am... but they don’t know who you are.  All you would have to do is join one of the packs and bring me information.  To find me all you would need to do is howl.  The packs will murder us all if we don’t take a stand soon.  You can help this cause.  Show them what we are made of.”  Lumar offered enticingly, with a glimmer in her eyes.

The young coyote then waited for the black and golden eyed male to respond.  Hopefully he bought it.  It would be lovely if the male did.  Everything was kind of starting to click into place.  So far she had one follower, in her cause which was great, maybe soon she would have two.  Then kinda let it go from there.  This was excellent.  Just perfect.  The French coyote felt brighter about what the future would bring, than she had been in a long time.

Crius narrowed his eyes at her grin; it had a layer of mischief shrouded by a touch of sincerity. This was odd, now that he looked her over once more, the water no longer slightly distorting his view she was even smaller than he assumed before. Her hide was like no wolf he had ever seen before; it was a mix of a fair tan and other browns. Her muzzle is far more narrow that most wolves Crius had met as well. There was clearly one explanation for her to be so tiny; she was the runt of a litter obviously. It made perfect sense now, but that still doesn't explain her prejudice against the other wolf packs, after all, why wouldn't she just let him infiltrate her last pack?

"Um that's all fine and dandy, but what of our last pack? What was their name? I could join them and bring you information consistently, that way we could take them down and we can make sure no one ever runs the risk of joining them. But then again who are we exactly?" Crius droned, taking a step towards the small one.

The male’s question almost drained all the life out of Lumar.  Yet, she had an answer.  “I can not tell you there name, as it hurts me to even speak it.”  Lumar began.  “I hope you understand that why I will and con not speak their name, but, I can tell you that the pack we must destroy, homes a wolf by the name of Judas.  That name should help you find the Pack.”  Lumar lied and informed with vague information on who the pack was and who Judas was.  Although she almost wanted to congratulation herself for her amazing last minute explanation, but she kept her neutral expression.

It made her wonder how powerful she could become.  She didn’t have a pack... she wasn’t technically a leader.  She was just manipulating, tricking and advising wolves to help her cause of blindsiding packs within the Teekon Wilds.  This was her dream.  She hoped her name would go down in history.  Maybe that was all the coyote really, truly wanted.  To be someone important and remembered, whether it reflected good or bad on her.

Crius rested his brow, "I suppose I can understand; sometimes we tie trauma to certain words and things." There was more to her than he believed, she was far more cunning than she led on and Crius knew it but, for the sake of curiosity, he could indulge her, heck he may get something out of this entire experience. Hmm, what would he get? A slight bit of satisfaction? Maybe the rush of the potential danger would be enough; he did like a good thrill after all. If this little wolf was going to be his accomplice or dare he says, leader, he'd need to test her. 

"But, what do I get exactly? I wouldn't have any power, and I'm more than certain you can't offer me a claim to land... I'm thinking you give me something a little more intimate." His voice deepened, a toothy grin on his face.

Well, maybe this wolf did have smarts, since he actually wanted something out of the deal.  Judas hadn’t asked her for anything... yet.  This one had though.  The question made Lumar think for a few seconds.  What could she offer?  An idea came to mind.  It was actually a pretty good one too in her opinion.  It was a flexible plan and she could always dispose of this problem if this wolf ever became to much trouble.  She was almost certain, although you could never tell.

“Well... what do you want?”  Lumar asked, with a mischievous hint to her voice.  “There are so many things that I could give you.  I simply don’t know what you want.”  Then the coyote added with a playful tease to her voice.  “I may have some smarts, but I’m not a mindreader.”  The yearling eyed the male with interest, wondering what this intimate thing that he wanted was.  She had a few ideas though...

A smirk crept it's way across Crius' muzzle, she was excellent, exquisite even but would she let him prod her a little bit more. She clearly had an idea what he may want, heck she was clearly the calculating type. Crius was naive, but he couldn't play spy without a little incentive. 

"It's simple really, a rut or two.. Or five? They'll all be quick of course. A little nooky before I give you your info." This was make or break time; she'd naturally decline but, Crius wanted to see how far he could go with his potential boss.

Lumar's heart almost stopped beating when Crius spoke.  Every instinct in her screamed; NO!!!  Yet... sometimes you just had to take the risks in life to get somewhere.  Although this wolf had a nice spot on her kill list right now.  She still needed him.  This problem could be resolved later.

With a deep breath, she gave a nod of her head.  Her eyes set in a determined look.  "Of course."  She whispered softly, in attempts to keep herself from sounding angry or harsh.  Her eyes surveyed the male, waiting to see what he would do.

Every Problem Had a Solution

Cris snickered at the gaunt wolf's expressions, she was clearly inimical to the idea but her facade was going just as well as Crius'. Her light whisper said 'of course' her face on the other hand screamed something along the lines of 'NOPE!!!' and it was adorable. 

"Well I suppose we can get started now a little bit of a warm up NOW," His voice sharp and full of venom he took a step towards the smaller female, "If I'm going to be your pawn I want to at least have something I can look forward to while I'm risking my life." 

He snickered, "Just kidding!" He laughed aloud, "I'll give you info but, if I like the pack I'm going to stick around. You need to give me something too, no clue what but it has to be worth me risking my life."

Lumar almost let out a breath of relief as the male confessed that he was lying.  Her expression darkened a little menacingly seemly saying:  there is no time for fun and games.  Now the design was hers too make.  What did a wolf want?  That was pretty tough.  Wolves were annoying, strange, obnoxious and cruel, in Lumar’s eyes.  They took everything and gave the scavengers like herself nothing.  No, she wasn’t a scavenger.  She was more.  She would forever and always be so much more than a scavenger.  She was fate, she was power.  She had to come up with something.  Everyone had something that they most dearly wanted, now she just had to crack this puzzle.  Lumar flashed the male a mischievous and playful smirk, in attempts to hid, that she had no idea what to say.  Then something came to mind... of course!  The thing that all wolves wanted.

“Well, abide my rules and terms, then once your duty is done I will give you land to rule and wolves under your power.”  Lumar lied.  She was sure she could get rid of this guy before then.  Maybe Judas could even help her if he lived through this to get this male out of the picture.  One way or another, this coyote planned on getting her way.  She wouldn’t have anything but that.

"Hmm, compelling but, the last thing I need is for an entire body of wolves relying on me." He began, "Then again what's stopping you from double crossing me? I can't be the only wolf you've pitched this idea to; heck we haven't even exchanged names." Crius was growing suspicious of this unnamed wolf; they've only had a few lines of dialogue, and she's pitching him a revolt. He would have to admit he admired her craving for power but, she fails to hide the obvious cunning behind her words. 

Taking a few steps up to her Crius peered down at the mix patterned canine, "Your rules and terms? How about this; I bring you information whenever I'm free, I'll answer to you to an extent, but I have two rules of my own; no murder, no betrayal if I like the pack. I'm not your lacky; I am your partner." his tone was far sharper than he liked though but he made his point clear. 

"Oh, and we will mate once just for fun." He laughed.

Lumar stayed calm, but this was not going as planned.  “Sure, your rules are fine by me.  Just do not be mistaken wolf, they will try to lull you in.  Do not let them do it, because if you do you will end up dead.  Try to earn their trust.  Then you could learn some powerful secrets. ”  Lumar advised the male, then added.  “You can come up with another treatment for yourself when you think of one.”  The coyote paused for a brief moment.  “Now, for our names.”  Lumar then began.  “You can call me X.”  Lumar told him, then continued on with her speech to ask the male for his name.  “Now, what is your name?”  The coyote then asked the male.  Then Lumar added with a slightly flirtatious tease, yet deadly too, in answer to the male’s earlier words about mating for fun.  “All of this will work out so long as we don’t mate."

Maybe this could work.  She already had Judas spying for her and know most likely this male, whatever his name was too.  This sure was lovely.  She just hoped that Judas was in a good position right now and within the Alpha's or Alphas’ trust.  that would be excellent.  Now she just needed this male to abide to her rule as her spy.  The young coyote never knew that one could feel so powerful. 

Crius let a light smirk creep onto his muzzle; so she wants powerful secrets? Crius would get her a few secrets alright but, she was treading dangerous waters with this deal. She was going to trust a rogue with such a task? Heh, it was sort of cute in it's own way. "You can call me um...Y." he snickered at her last remark. "Okay okay, you win." he chuckled. 

"I'll give you the info I see fit," He gave her a shifty smile, she'd get some information but, it won't be as juicy as she'll hope more than likely "But, you'll still owe me something."

Lumar didn’t fully trust his wolf... but hey!  A follower was a follower!  He would do her bidding and she could sit back a relax... in her own way.  Lovely.  She didn’t like that he didn’t give her his name, instead telling her to call him Y, but she was sure she could find out.  Maybe even through Judas.  One way or another, this problem would be solved when it needed to come to an end.  Y could tell her what he wanted in time, when the creature finally figured out what he wanted.  She probably would never give the wolf what he wanted though, unless it was something simply or she had to do it on the spot.

“Once you come up with whatever you want with your desires, tell me and you will eventually have it.”  Lumar lied to Y with her slurred and foreign French accent.  “We will meet back here in this exact spot, in eleven days time.”  Lumar informed Y, with a forceful tone, not intending to change the date.  It gave the male a pretty decent amount of time to connect with the pack, and maybe find out a few small secrets.  “Come alone too, or I will not be here and you will not get your end of the bargain.”  Lumar then added, with a little threat in her tone.  Spying was serious business.  The two needed to keep this as quiet as possible.

Crius tilted his head at her tone; she didn't think she was in control did she? He could attack her right now and when he was done expose her spy 'Judas'. It'd be in this youngling's best interest to show some respect to her partner. "Eleven days? Eh, I'll just summon you when I pick something up remember?" The little one was pushing her luck, Crius didn't take orders too well, even if he told her he'd listen to her he had NO intentions on being her servant. 

"And got it, when I pick what I want I'll tell you when I summon you." He couldn't help but smile at the last of her words, "Did you forget that I have nothing to lose at the moment? This is all pretty much speculation; I agree to serve you information that I see fit; Just so you know, that doesn't exactly count juicy details."

Crius was going to poke a hole or two in this canine's plan, she could have him killed or imprisoned when she got what she wanted, this Judas character was surely her ace meaning he could be the one to betray whatever pack he was in. "But hey for now you're the boss... Sort of. Just don't let it go to your head."

“Fine, just don’t get too cocky, wolf.  I have some tricks too you know.  Now go have fun on your operation.  Howl for me when you need me and have information.  Try to come up with what you want too.”  Lumar then turned and began to .  She didn’t really care if this wolf tried to blow Judas’s cover, claiming that a wolf name X controlled him.  She knew many would scoff at the tale and roll their eyes.  This wolf would soon learn the real world as it was.  Lumar considered herself a realist.  Maybe this wolf would become her version of a realist in time too.

Before she made her way out Lumar called out a few last words before her leave.  “And Mr. Y, you have everything to lose and so much to gain.”  Then the coyote disappeared into the woods.  She would see this wolf agin within time.  Everything relied on time.

Crius smirked as he watched her disappear into the wooden thicket behind her. "Silly Coyote." he whispered, turning his back to the woods. He knew she was a coyot, he had seen quite a few back home in Wyoming. Playing stupid was something he was great at, and now that Miss Y thinks she has a pawn things would get far more interesting for the golden eyed wolf. 

"First up find Judas, second gather info blah blah blah." He yawned walking down the bank of the creek once more.