Phoenix Maplewood Before The Light Of Day

The man stood outside the freshly marked border of Morningside, his head bowed low in exhaustion and tongue lolling out the side of his mouth. It had been a difficult task to track down the pack after the fire. He and Valette had noticed the smoke the day it started, and with haste he left to find them, curious as to what became of their allies and if they were in need of help.

Pacing back and forth across the grass, the man waited for any wolves to patrol the border. However, he was tired and was eager to return back to his pack. Back to Valette. With a deep breath, he turned his head to the sky and let out a low, longing howl for anyone to reply to.

As per usual, the sleek darken female paced around the Maplewoods as she did her usual patrol. Large ears perked upwards as she heard a howl that was nearby her trail, "another one." Desdemona faintly whispered to herself, as she remembered the previous visitors. Morningside seemed popular lately, as she too visited them, however the ending she had was different then those who came.

Emerging from the woods, her jades were welcomed by a large, grey figure. She would've suspected a bear if it were not for the scent of others on his pelt. As the smell indicated he was with a Pack before coming, Desdemona deducated he was not here to join their ranks. However he seemed to be alone.. Cautiously, she stepped toward him with a stoic demenour and a serious gaze, as she spoke out with a detached tone to the unknown, and large wolf, "what is your business to the Morningside wolves?"

Greyback turned his attention to the slim figure that emerged from the woods. He waited patiently as they walked towards him and gave a bow in greeting to their presence. He held no fear towards the wolf, and gave a reassuring smile in attempt to show he was nothing to be feared.

"What is your business to the Morningside wolves?"

"Good evening Miss," He replied, his voice deep and humble. "My name is Greyback. I come from Easthollow, one of the allies to Morningside," He looked down at her, wondering if she knew of the alliance between the packs. "I seek to have a few words with your leader about the fire." Greyback hoped his words would suffice and that he would be allowed entry. He had not shared many words with Morningside wolves, but doubted they would turn any allies away.

Desdemona did not lower her guard, and only looked patiently at the wolf before her as he introduced herself. As per courtesies were, she gave a tip of the head back, "I am Desdemona of Morningside," and greeted Greyback with her own name. Though while he showed kindness, she remained in a serious desposure while silently letting her green eyes trace him. The dark wolf had not heard of the Pack of Easthollow, and did not know if they held any treaties or not. She was too new and inexperienced with Morningside's history to know of any, and only knew the basic history of the foundation with Grayday. Besides that, she knew nothing. Though at least, remembering previous conversations, she did not greet the large wolf with a snarl, only a normal greeting like a guard would do.

Her large ears twitched, and met his request with silent for a moment. @Aditya was currently away, and she did not know where he went. He gave no notice, but by Alya's words of a previous day, she knew he was currently absent from the forest. And in return, leaving no one in charge... There was @Sunny, but Desdemona did not know where he went as well. All there was left, was a few newcomers and pups. She had yet to meet any other Morningsider if they were around the inner forest, for she only slept at the outskirts. After a few moments in thought, only then did she speak up to Grayback, "He is currently absent from the maplewoods."

"I am Desdemona of Morningside."

Greyback gave her a nod as he repeated the name in his head. 'Desdemona.' It was a strong name, a proper name. He eyed her, taking notice that her posture was rigid and on guard, and couldn't help but feel a little dissatisfied at that; had she not believed him? He narrowed his eyes at her slightly as she seemed lost in thought for a bit.

"He is currently absent from the Maplewoods."

Greyback furrowed his brows at that. The alpha was absent? It was not common for Alphas to leave their territory in his mind. And Maplewoods? Greyback assumed that was the name of the land around here. He had never traveled this far before so it was all very new to him. "What about anyone else? Is your beta or any higher ranks present?" He asked, his voice still calm but held an underlying tone of exhaustion.

"There is none other present at the current time." It was a troublesome situation, and she felt frustrated on it, but did not display it. Desdemona was not used to leadership being absent, she felt a sense of loss by their absence. Aditya had disappeared without a word, and Sunny was the same... Who would step up in their place? She felt her chest tighten with determination to protect her pack in the meantime of this event. Jaden eyes glinted with this feiry passion while responding to Greyback.

She did not want to reveal they are missing, and said no more, awaiting for what he will do next. Desdemona was a wolf who tried to give as little as she could, and only could hope he would soon return to Easthollow so she could await for her leaders return.

She, Hydra, and Lyra had talked a little about Morningside. It was clear that her sisters were not too invested in what happened to the pack, but Alya had grown to care a small measure for the hardy little group. That meant Hydra and Lyra would do their best to help, but Alya felt that, without Aditya's guidance, there was not much that could be done for the pack. Not by them alone, at least.

Still, she was doing what she could - even if that meant answering border calls. Several beats too late, thanks to her still-healing hind leg.

She was surprised to find the scent of Easthollow on Morningside's outskirts. It was not a wolf that Alya had ever met, but she was familiar, by now, with the scent of their leader.

"I'll do in a pinch," she said dryly, having heard the last of their exchange. "I'm Alya Ostrega. Regent, until Aditya returns, or until someone else steps up." Or until I go home, she thought to herself, a little melancholy. "Who am I speaking to? And what is it you need?"

"There is none other present at the current time."

Greyback's heart sank at those words. The pack not having any leaders present surely must put strain on them; how were they even fairing? With a shake of his head once more he was about to apologize for using the wolfs time up but was stopped by another scent of a wolf wafting over his nose in the breeze. Turning his head, the Easthollow wolf noticed another dark figure emerge and walk towards them. Their speed slightly awry due to a wobble in their leg. He was quick to notice it, and wondered if it was caused by the fire or while the pack was fleeing.

"I'm Alya Ostrega. Regent, until Aditya returns, or until someone else steps up. Who am I speaking to? And what is it you need?"

He listened to her introduction and gave a curt bow to her after in return. "Greetings Ragent Alya Ostrega," He breathed "My name is Greyback- Gamma of Easthollow. Allies to Morningside." He added the last bit to prove his point of the ties their packs held, still weary of the pack itself. It was an explanation more than a statement. "I traveled on behalf of Alpha Valette. We saw the fire and wanted to know what became of you, and if you are in need is assistance." He looked at her with a stoic expression as he spoke, curious as to what she would say in return.

Desdemona turned her head to the Princess, looking at her curiously with a jaden gaze. She gave a nod of greeting, before stepping back and going into her usual serious demenour. It was true no one stepped up since the absence of their leaders, and while she remembered Sunny mentioning the name Dawn, no such wolf has yet to appear. Morningside truly seemed absent of wolves, as all that the dark wolf seen was three newcomers and the pups. There was no heir in sight to take the throne. The mantle remained empty until one came back, or another stepped up.

She remained neutral on the Ostrega wearing the name Regant. Desdemona focus was to protect the pack, and felt the politics were not in her realm, and something she could not control.. She would guard as usual, and protect the pack until the return of their leaders.

Alya gave a nod of acknowledgement. She knew of the alliance, since Aditya had mentioned it to her after rescuing her from the mire. She was glad to hear that Valette was still the alpha of that pack, although she was not eager to face her after losing track of her son on their trip. Thinking of Nikai sent a pang of guilt through her, but she shrugged it off easily enough.

"The pack is surviving," she said after a moment of thought. "But I think, at this point, assistance would be welcome. There is a litter here without any parents, and another with only a grieving mother. Our medic is crippled, our hunters are damaged, and our leader seems to have fled." To Alya, Morningside seemed to be in dire straights, even without the severely flagging morale. "Not even I am fit to be much help. How does Easthollow fare? Could your lands support a few more adults and cubs?"

Already, plans were forming in the shewolf's mind. If Easthollow could take in the more wounded of Morningside's ranks, perhaps Moonspear could support a few more as well? Alya didn't like the idea of leaving them to their fate after having used them for her own healing.

Feel free to skip me! Lyra's just in the bg like

Lyra couldn't help but be drawn to the borders at the sound of a deep howl, most likely a summons for the presently absent leadership of Morningside. She had a hunch that the dutiful, ever patrolling Desdemona would be the one to answer, and her suspicions were confirmed when she came across her trail that made a beeline straight for the edge of the woods. Idly, the Ostrega followed at a casual pace, breaking into a quicker trot as she came upon Alya's scent.

She arrived just in time to catch the tail end of her sister's words, the word Easthollow causing her eyes to flick over to the burly man who stood before them. He dwarfed the three females in size, although despite his powerful stature, he exuded a sense of friendliness. Lyra hung in the background behind Alya, eyeing the monochrome stranger with intrigue (with a slightly more subtle hint of admiration).

She sensed the plan her triplet was beginning to conjure up and tilted her head curiously, awaiting the man's reply.

Haha, no worries about Lyra!

"...But I think, at this point, assistance would be welcome. There is a litter here without any parents, and another with only a grieving mother. Our medic is crippled, our hunters are damaged, and our leader seems to have fled. Not even I am fit to be much help. How does Easthollow fare? Could your lands support a few more adults and cubs?"

With his amber peach eyes, he watched as Alya described the situation of the pack. It was worse than he had thought, how were they even living? He exchanged a glance to Desdemona to see her expression but was met with the neutral look she had worn for the entirety of this meeting. Were most of the Morningside wolves like this; silent and expressionless as stone?

Greyback hummed as he thought about Alya's question. Winter was coming quicker than he had thought, and the water problem in Easthollow was still present, but Morningside needed help now more than ever. He remained silent for a few moments, rolling possible ideas through his brain. "I am sorry to hear your pack has been facing troubles. Easthollow is well, i'm sure we can spare the outskirts of our territory with you..,"

The man stopped his words as another wolf approached them. She was small and looked identical to Alya. He gave her a smile and a dip of his head in acknowledgement before returning to the conversation. "However, it is not my decision. That is solely up to Lady Valette," Greyback was sure Valette would part with some land, she was more than friendly enough to do so, but he knew better than to speak for her. "I will speak to her about your troubles and see what we can do."

He gave a nod to Alya. Although he was ready to help the pack, Greyback knew traveling back would be a difficult task. Would Morningside be able to spare a wolf to come with him to Easthollow? Valette might want to hear the words from a Morningside wolf... "I hate to ask of this when your numbers are so low, but would you be willing to spare a wolf to travel back? Lady Valette might want to ask questions and talk with one of you."

Desdemona wanted to grimace on the suffering of Morningside. She knew of it, but hearing it in the form of words gratified the intensity of how bad it has been. She of course, has been trying her part to help by guarding the border and bringing in the occasional small hunts. It was the least she could do as a member, but it felt it was never enough, especially due to how the Pack was...

The dark, emotionless wolf seemed to not realize her detatched expressions cause misunderstandings with others. While Morningsiders are usually kind and all smiles, she was raised differently, leading to the serious demenour she has today. It's too bad lately many wolves have been greeted by her cold face then of Aditya's warm smile. Could Desdemona even smile?

With the situation their facing, smiles seemed like a long distance away. She inwardly agreed that help would do good in the current time, especially as they have litters needing to be fed. While uncomfortable if they were to leave the maplewoods... Desdemona held her tongue if it meant survival.

She also felt reluctant of Greybacks proposal, and even he stated hesitance due to their low numbers. Was it really needed? There wasn't too many healthy enough to leave besides herself and another joiner... Save for the members that she does not know of yet, the dark wolf didn't know if they were healthy. She gave a sidelong glance at Alya.

Alya's mouth turned down at the corners. "You misunderstand me," she said, her voice just on the edge of apologetic, "I don't mean to have them simply live on the edge of your pack, but become members. There is no leader, here. When he returns, perhaps he will be able to lead them again, but he gave no notice of his departure. My sisters and I must return to our own pack, and we can take a few of those more readily able to travel, but not all of them would survive the journey. Besides - it might bring comfort to some to reside with familiar faces."

She glanced back at Desdemona's face, wondering what the other female thought of this plan. Alya couldn't think of a better option for the wolves of the woods, considering how few adults they had in comparison to children. She wondered if there was another pack nearby that would be willing to take in a few cubs.

"Ask Valette if she would be willing to take a few in," Alya urged. She looked to Desdemona once more. "Are you fit to escort him back to his land?" she asked. Few enough of the others would be.

"You misunderstand me."

Greyback pulled his ears slightly back at the reply of the woman. He listened to her explain the situation again in more detail, only offering small nods along with her words till she finished. He felt slightly embarrassed that he had misunderstood, but was glad she was patient with him.

"My deepest apologies Miss. Alya," he quickly recovered, his voice apologetic. "Easthollow is always willing to take new wolves into our family. We will happily accept anyone from Morningside." Greyback thought briefly about the pups mentioned before. Valette always seemed to love children, as well as he. Greyback held a fondness for pups, especially after the loss of his own. He would take them in a heartbeat but knew young ones would not be able to make the journey back in this weather.

"Are you fit to escort him back to his land?"

The man looked over to Desdemona as Alya did, his gaze locking onto her face. Did she want to accompany him? If Morningside was splitting up and wolves were joining Easthollow then there wasn't need for any diplomatic talk with Valette. He continued to feel embarrassed about backtracking on his words. "Actually," he began, "That won't be necessary. If Moringside wolves are going to join Easthollow then there won't be any need for discussion with Lady Valette about splitting territory. However, if Desdemona still wants come along I wouldn't mind the company." He gave the girl a kind smile once more as he spoke about her.

The dark wolf nodded at Alya. If a task was given, she will go forward to complete it. Especially since she was one of the more healthier wolves compared to others; who were either too young, or too injured to continue forward. With the absence of their leaders, diplomatic meetings were left in the open for who to send. It came down who was healthy, and by chance Desdemona was one of the best choices for the current time. She would dutifully continue forward if so commanded, "If it is needed." Her own opinion seemed not important for that motion.

However.. Desdemona spoke up, and looked directly at Alya, "I have no desire to join another Pack then Morningside." She knew the logic behind the Princess's words, and she knew it was an appropriate choice for the cubs. Though for herself? The wolf pledged loyalty, and even if it meant that it was just her that was left behind, so be it. She would not leave the maplewoods, but this only counted for herself, and not the choice others would take. She knew by herself she could not protect the younger ones alone, and while reluctant to let them part from these lands, their safety was more of a priority then her disagreement of the movement.

"Thank you," said Alya, although she would not consider the matter closed until she knew what Valette herself thought of this plan. It was not that Alya did not think Greyback trustworthy - oh wait, no. It was that. "I'll speak to the Morningsiders and see what they want to do."

Desdemona, of course, had made her motives clear. "And may the descion bring you joy and prosperity," Alya replied, her voice sharp but saccharine. She was annoyed that the other woman thought to disagree with her in front of company, and annoyed by her disloyalty in general. (Or, what Alya considered to be disloyalty.) But she had come to expect these things from wolves that were not her own, and so it did not surprise her coming from the strange, quiet woman. "Good day, Mister Greyback. Feel free to recover here as you see fit, but I'm afraid we have little enough to offer, at the moment."

With that, Alya turned and retreated back into the woods, which now offered her a certain sense of comfort rather than stiffling her. She pressed noses with @Lyra as she passed, silently agreeing that the other girl had been right about Desdemona - Alya had simply become soft and trusting during her recovery. How many times would she need to learn this lesson before it really sank in?

"Why do I even bother with these wolves?" she asked with a soft sigh, too low to be heard by the others. "Maybe we should just grab Timberlake and go. Let them rot away in peace."

Hydra mutely observed the encounter from the shade of the woods, ears pricked atop her crown. She was pleased Desdemona had not contested her sisters position... no other but her had come to greet the stranger. What did not please her, however, was the way the other she-wolf seemed to argue the point. Loyal to Morningside? 

Why were so many wolves so loyal to things that were not loyal to them in turn? It was not at all logical. The leader of Morningside had not been here to greet her; only the cub, and the brown she-wolf herself. Hydra turned, having only caught the final few words shared amongst them, to meet her sister. Long-legged strides soon brought her alongside Alya, rumbling. 

The fact of the matter was, their leader was gone and had not even sent word about himself. He had left Morningside. Hydra had no interest in this territory, but she would aid Alya in taking it over, for a time, if that was what she wanted to do. At the very least, Alya would be able to assist the wolves in considering their next course of action. She was surprised, though, to hear the final set of words. You want to keep Timberlake? she asked, her tone not hiding her curiosity. A cub? Well, she supposed he could be shaped to what they desired, but still, it would require more diligence on their travels.

"I have no desire to join another Pack then Morningside."

Greyback watched Alya as she spoke to Desdemona, his eyes gazing over her stature. She had seemed humble before he was aware enough to catch the annoyed hint of her words; there was something about the situation that made his fur prickle. Why was the lead wolf upset about Desdemona's loyalty to her pack? Regardless, he continued to smile and hide his uncertainty.

"Good day, Mister Greyback. Feel free to recover here as you see fit, but I'm afraid we have little enough to offer, at the moment."

Greyback notted to the female before she left. "Farewell Ragent Alya Ostrega." He replied, watching her disappear into the tree line with a stoic expression. He waited for her to be out of sight before turning to Desdemona. He felt empathic towards her situation, knowing that she was loyal to a pack that was falling apart and barely being kept alive (to his knowledge).

"Thank you for everything, Desdemona," He thanked, his head bowing to her. "Your pack needs you more than I. I will keep Morningside in my prayers and hope for a recovery, and I shall speak to Lady Valette and see what can be done." He turned around and looked at from where he came, the mountains vast. Greyback couldn't afford to spend another minute here, he ached to return home to Easthollow and Valette.

He waited for the female to respond. Only when she did he would stay silent for a bit to contemplate his next words. "If something happens come find Easthollow. We're south of here, Rising Sun Valley." He did not look back at Desdemona. He instead trotted forward and continued his journey home.

Desdemona felt irked by Alya's responds and watched her figure disappear. She knew that the Princess could not understand the same feeling, as she belonged to a Pack in the mountains that seem to be thriving. Though she took time to help Morningside in their need as they had an absence of leaders, and was grateful but she couldn't help but feel something was amiss. 

Jades turned back to the large male, "thank you." She gave a nod of gratitude and was thankful for his words, and a feeling that they would soon need Easthollow's help. Desdemona knew what needed to be done once he left, but not without a few words, "we will take your words with heart." She said, watching Greybacks figure fade away from their territory. She held a fire in her serious denemour, and turned to head toward the forest where the rest should be.