Stone Circle you were supposed to destroy the sith, not join them!

Set a little bit after his lesson with Merrit, and spying on LCH. Tagging Merrit for reference, but would be cool if @Valette intercepted him instead (provided she's home from LCH by this point but idk??).

The high winds warned of the oncoming winter, and it was a season Tulimaq was looking forward to. The ice and snow, the challenge of hunting through dangerous weather, the inevitable struggle between his own kind for breeding rights... Although he was hardly motivated by such a mundane thing as breeding, and had no desire for children of his own. He was anticipating the struggle of the season, and wondered how many would perish to the fickle nature of the weather.

He followed that harsh wind back towards Easthollow, having entertained himself upon the borders of a fresh claim; he followed Aerasha for a while, keeping quite a ways back, and eventually lost her trail. But he was on the east edge of the pack where Merrit lived, and could see the dark silhouettes of those alluring stones — they were odd shapes on the horizon, looking more like a cluster of trees smudged across the plains.

Thinking of the boy and his lessons, Tulimaq raised his chin and called for @Merrit, ready for the next lesson.

Her head lifted and her ears perked when the howl rang out. She paused in her patrol, wondering who it was. The call was for Merrit, but Steph took it upon herself to see who was at their borders. She wasn't much of a fighter, certainly wasn't trained in such things, but she knew she could follow her instincts and protect her family, if she needed to. Just ask @Greyback. 

Tail held unnaturally high for her, she trotted up showing a confidence she didn't quite feel yet. It waved side to side in a friendly manner, but the stranger's reaction would judge if that stayed the same or not. She paused several yards from him. I'm Steph, Beta of Easthollow. Can I help you? she asked, waiting for a response.

It was not the boy he spied buzzing around that stain on the horizon; it was not Merrit who broke away from the stones and came to intercept Tulimaq, but someone just as youthful. She was dark of complexion, healthy, young. The way she carried herself indicated she was respected but — according to Tulimaq and all he knew of Easthollow — she would not come to him as a warrior, would not be trained to handle him at his worst. He stood there waiting and watching, and then she introduced herself.

The beta? How could one so young be considered so highly? It must have been a familial connection that resulted in such a promotion. Tulimaq stands there, sizing Steph up, making assumptions and judgement as he was prone to do. He wonders if this is a trick. A game that the child wishes to play — but he decides to take it seriously, if only for a moment. To entertain the prospect of a yearling being someone important.

I called for Merrit—you are not him. He speaks candidly, making an observation. It is at this point he wonders if, maybe, this girl is his sister. They don't look alike but they seem similarly youthful; if not littermates, then something else. But part of the same family, certainly. I am Tulimaq, his tutor. It is time for another lesson.

The male was curt, in her opinion. Her tail ceased its waving, and her body stiffened ever so slightly. She didn't care that she wasn't the one he called for. She was Beta, and had every right to answer whoever called on the borders. She may lack the confidence needed for her newly appointed position, but she didn't lack the knowledge. So sorry to disappoint, she retorted, the sarcasm evident in her voice.

She didn't think he was nice, but he didn't seem aggressive, either. If he had bended a little towards the friendlier side, so might have she. Tutor of what? she asked, her voice no-nonsense. She figured Merrit had heard his call, and assumed he was on his way. No reason Steph couldn't keep him company while he waited.

Tulimaq was not ignorant to children, and had been around at least one litter within his branch of Tartok before he departed for his own mission; he let her comment and tone slide, but couldn't help the thin smirk that crept across his face as silent retort. The impertinence of children was not his business. Well, it sort of was - the training he willingly provided would grant individuals a sense of discipline, pride, and confidence. Such behavior as this girl was granting him merely meant she was an untrained asset; something overlooked in the grand scheme. It made him wonder more acutely, what sort of wolf did these people value? Clearly an unlearned one. A young and inexperienced individual should not, in his biased opinion, not be trusted as the beta.

Tutor of what? Came the inevitable question. At least she was bright enough to do that much, he thought.

The man took a deep breath, slow and calculating in his thoughts, to try and keep his tongue under control. Thankfully he could channel a little more focus (from his mother's side). Why did it matter what he taught? Children needed to know their place — but it was not his place to give them those lessons. Combat, tactics, discipline, the things any boy must know. There was a very slight edge to his tone, an unavoidable aspect to the irritable explorer. He knew it would be wise to charm the beta, but Tulimaq couldn't fathom treating this girl with any respect merely for her title; not when he was older, smarter, and stronger. But he had a goal in mind and so, he did his best. I shall wait here, unless you grant me access to seek him out myself — you can escort me if it pleases you, girl, he almost added, but made sure to weight that tongue.

She didn't like his smirk. She did like him. She was glad he was only here to collect Merrit and then hopefully be on his merry way. Where was Merrit anyway? How long did it take come answer this unrefined heathen at their doorstep?

So, he was teaching him to fight. Steph noticed the lack of mention of respect on that list. How could you teach respect if you didn't have it, after all? He came here, not as a member of this pack, not as an ally of this pack, and yet showed zero respect to the newly appointed Beta. Steph was not a trained fighter. But, in her heart, she knew the love for her pack would help grow her instinct to protect them.

And she knew her growing hatred for the male before her would help her confidence. Denied, she replied. Merrit may trust you, she conceded. But, I don't enough to let you in. Not even if she stayed with him. He was obviously a fighter. She obviously was not. The stakes were too high to give an inch.

Tulimaq was many things, but patient was not one of them. He tolerated the girl for a little but longer yet when his request was denied, he grew more irritated. It was not his custom to be obedient to children. It mattered little what rank they held. For Tulimaq, it was more of an insult to ve waylayed by someone as young as this shard of coal. He lingered a moment longer but huffed softly, and sank back a step.

Her fears were understandable. He likely would have been equally wary had this been his home - alas, Tulimaq was here for one reason and since she was not facilitating his efforts, he had no reason to hang around. Evidently the boy was busy, so he would call on him another time. Perhaps by then the beta would also be occupied. Seeing her again so soon was not a high priority.

He mutters, If he appears, tell young Merrit I will be waiting for him to the east. I will not trouble you further. Well, unless she caught him here again tomorrow.

She was glad he didn't push the issue. After all, what grounds did he have to admit himself into Easthollow. She nodded once to his request. I will, she said. And she would, if and when she saw Merrit. She hoped her younger brother did not take the liberty to let the male into their borders. While friends were aloud, she simply didn't trust this male.

She would watch as he walked away, and once she felt he was far enough away, she would turn and search for @Merrit. She didn't think it was her place to tell him not to be friends with the male, but she would pass on the message.

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