Hideaway Strath Looking Glass

For anyone from Asterism Grove. Keyni is just lingering past the borders, scoping the place out. <3

Her paws were tired. Not in the physical sense, but as in constantly roaming from place to place, never settling. Going it alone was no joy ride, and while Keyni hadn't been faring too badly, she was now seriously considering finding a place to stay. Some might assume she didn't mind being alone, what with how serene and composed she came off as. Nothing was further from the truth. She didn't want to be just another passing face in the wild. She wanted to contribute, to make friends. To pass on her knowledge while ever expanding it. The only problem is she didn't know where to start.

The tundra mix never did anything in a great hurry and this was no exception. Having taken shelter in the forest to the north, she had awoke well rested but hungry. Despite the pangs of hunger grabbing at her stomach, she set aside an hour to absorb the warm rays of the morning sun, eyes closed in peaceful meditation. She blocked out her hunger, temporarily, focused instead on the melodies of the song birds and the rustle of the leaves, courtesy of the slight breeze. 

Refreshed and centered, she set out in search of breakfast. What she did not expect to find, was the smell of wolves. And quite a few of them. She drew her head straight up, eyes focused ahead calmly. She was close to a pack's territory, no doubt. Another deliberate sniff assured her that she had indeed, thankfully, had not crossed over their borders. She would keep it that way, remaining beyond their front door. No one liked an uninvited guest. Still, her curiosity was roused. Enough to divert her attention away from finding food to hang around long enough to possibly find out more. She looked around, half hoping that someone might be home in this neck of the woods.

Although eastern, western and southern sweeps were not nearly as necessary as guarding the passage to the north, Towhee nonetheless included the whole range in her patrol at least a few mornings a week. She was just wrapping up and getting ready to head to the rendezvous site to break her fast with her family when her weary paws brought her close to the narrow neck where the distant falls' runoff cut the sweep from the strath—and Asterism Grove from the rest of the wilds.

There was a figure lurking near the threshold, Towhee noted with a flare of her nostrils. Picking up her pace, she loped purposefully to intercept the visitor knocking at their proverbial door. With every footstep, her posture grew stiffer, so that by the time the Kilonova closed, there was no doubt she was in charge around here.

-"State your name and business,"- she commanded even as she eyed the stranger. She was one of the more striking wolves Towhee had seen of late. Her fur shone palely in the morning light, points peppered with a contrasting charcoal hue. Her eyes were a fetching shade of green, seemingly guileless as the mercenary waited for her to speak.

Fortune was with her this morning, it seemed. Her eye caught a flicker of movement, a flash of fur and the unmistakable shape of a wolven figure. This was either sheer coincidence, or this pack really had its act together in keeping their borders secure.

Acknowledging the authoritative air in which the incoming female carried herself, Keyni took a single step back, respectively. The skin lining her muzzle was smooth, her expression placid but refined. Her tail hung motionless, curled slightly around her ankle in a sign to say she was of no threat. If pressed, she would submit willingly. 

The voice of the female, who bore a raven coat with red accents and a cream underside, addressed her with a no-nonsense tone, to which she responded. "I was passing through the area when I came across your borders. And well, now I'm intrigued." She explained in her calm voice, which somehow, always had a soothing quality to it. "I've been searching for a pack that may suit me." Was her subtle prompt at hoping for a tidbit of information.

Evidently their scent marking had intrigued this passerby. As Towhee read the stranger's lips, she licked her own thoughtfully. They could still use able bodies in the ranks, for sure. She looked hale enough, though of course the Kilonova would require more than a clean bill of health to gain entry to their ranks.

-"Tell me your name and your skills and we'll go from there,"- Towhee replied, idly wondering if her strange gesticulations were further intriguing the visitor.

Keyni realized as the darker female replied, that she had forgotten to introduce herself. She felt her cheeks burn just slightly under her fur. That wasn't like her...it would never do. 

Still, she remained composed as she shook her head. "Ah do excuse me. My name is Keyni." She left out her surname, feeling it was of no importance. "And as for my skills..." She met her orange eyes directly, in a non-threatening manner. "I aid others...pass my knowledge on to them. I teach them to better themselves of both the mind, body and spirit." A pale ear twitched once. "If they so desire, of course." Relaxed enough to shift her position, she sat down. "I also study nature...the health of ecosystems and plant life. But my true interest lies in the stars and analyzing weather patterns."

Most leaders would've balked at eye contact, yet Towhee wasn't like most. It helped immensely when others faced her as they spoke, enabling her to read their lips most accurately. Her own mouth pinched into a thoughtful bow as Keyni offered her name and a brief overview of her repertoire. None of her skills sounded particularly useful to Towhee, not like guarding and hunting, yet she knew Phox would beg to differ. He would like having another stargazer in Asterism Grove, surely.

That suddenly made her wonder if Keyni here—or any of the other she-wolves currently in their ranks, for that matter—would make a potential match for her brother. That thought made an unpleasant heat flicker in her belly. Any potential mate would upset the wonderful balance Towhee had struck with Phox, Fig and Fen. Threaten it, even. But her brother had promised she would always have a place and she couldn't bar all single females from joining. Besides, she thought, who else is going to make more kids for me to gank? It was a joke, of course...

Blinking herself back to a focus, Towhee replied, -"You mention plant life. Do you have any experience as a medic, by any chance?"-

After Keyni had offered a summary of her skills - mainly the ones that captured her interest, the dark female asked another question. She had noticed she mentioned plant life when Keyni stated it was a part of studying the health of an ecosystem. And now, wanted to know if she was a medic.

She allowed the faintest of smiles, soft in nature, to form as she shook her head. "I am not actively practicing at the moment. But yes, I do know how to tend to basic wounds and injuries." She had just never had to apply that knowledge to use yet. "I think it goes without saying that if you are to understand the health of your environment, you might as well familiarize yourself with the florae." Her jade eyes landed on the greenery of the trees and shrubs behind Towhee. She continued. "I am not as experienced as some, but it is a skill I would be interested in developing." She tipped her chin down, fixing her with a self-assured but non-arrogant look. "I can hunt, patrol and scout, but...I already told you where my passion lies." Keyni did not put on an act of desperation, just to be accepted. She laid out the facts without any showiness. Towhee may not see the usefulness in keeping an eye on nature and the weather, but Keyni had been taught well. Like all willing, should she be open, she would teach her otherwise.

She possessed a little knowledge of medicine, plus an interest in learning more. That was enough for Towhee. Though she doubted anyone could ever compete with Raven's superiority in the field, it would be awesome to have a medic among the grove's ranks.

-"Okay,"- Towhee said somewhat vaguely, then mulled a moment before saying, -"I'll accept you into the ranks on two conditions. Firstly, seek out my brother and co-leader, Phox, to introduce yourself. Secondly, pursue your passions and make a point to learn more about medicine. If you accept these terms, you're welcome to Asterism Grove."-

Towhee was willing to accept her, but on two conditions. Patiently Keyni listened with perked ears, while the dark female was speaking. She was to meet with her brother and alpha male, a wolf named Phox. And focus on expanding her medical knowledge. Those conditions were more than reasonable enough for her. Keyni was a wolf who wanted to contribute in all areas, not just a singular one. "You have a deal."

She paused, rising to her feet. Though happy with the offer, true to form, the tundra mix was never too quick to leap. "But before I commit fully, would you tell me more of...Asterism Grove? What can I expect?" Another faint smile. "Yours is the first pack I've visited...I don't make my decisions lightly."

Keyni accepted her terms, though that wasn't all. She requested to know more about Asterism Grove before she committed. Towhee dipped her snout, commending the woman's thoroughness. Whether or not she and the pack were a good match was a two-way street, after all.

-"We're new enough that we're still making it up as we go along,"- Towhee said, inferring that it was the members themselves who would make up the pack's ideals, built on the backbone of her brother's love of stars and their mutual desire to raise their family on their terms. -"But what you should know is that we're definitely family-oriented... and that includes our two sister packs, Firebirds and Frosthawks. That doesn't mean we're closed off to fresh blood—obviously—but it does mean that while we're focused on being a small, tightly-knit pack, we also have the full might of a large alliance behind us."- And whether or not that appealed to Keyni was, of course, her prerogative.

She listened with what seemed to be infinite patience as Towhee explained the history and story, behind Asterism Grove. They were a new pack; still growing but strong. They were highly family oriented, bonded closely with two other packs named the Firebirds and the Frosthawks. Keyni nodded, her eyes twinkling. "Indeed it would seem, with the support of those packs. You seem set to thrive." The look she gave her said that Keyni knew their choice in investing in such an alliance was a wise one.

"I'll have to make it a point to visit them, sometime." After all, if she was to be a part of Asterism Grove, she mustn’t make herself a stranger to their allies. "It's settled. I would love to hold a place among your ranks." The whole time the two females had been exchanging words back and forth, she had keenly noted the slow way in which Towhee spoke, the off notes in her voice and small signing gestures. She was almost certain she was deaf, but didn't comment on it. With one sense taken away, a wolfs remaining senses were often heightened, giving them an unexpected edge. She came forward, but not invading her space, tail waving freely behind her. "Thank you...miss...?" She prompted, hopeful for a name.

She liked to think so, though only time would tell whether Asterism Grove proved as solid as the other packs. They certainly didn't have to worry about wars and if something did go awry, they could always join forces with one of the other two. Towhee pondered all that from an outsider's perspective for a moment.

Then Keyni said she'd like to join officially and Towhee nodded. -"Then, welcome."- She grimaced when called "miss," though it was her own damn fault for forgetting to introduce herself. -"It's Towhee. Come on, I'm headed back to the rendezvous site to get a bite. We can see if Phox and the kids are there for you to meet."-

Without another word, the Kilonova moved away from the borders, toward the heart of the territory, hopefully with the newest recruit in tow.

You can assume she met the others behind the scenes. Welcome! :)

Keyni observed the grimace Towhee made when called miss. She made a mental note not to address her in such a way again. It didn't suit everyone. "Towhee then." She replied smoothly, not in the least bit bothered. It was good to have a name to pair to a face.

Following suit a few paces behind and to the side of her new alpha female, she allowed herself to be escorted into the heart of the territory. First stop; the rendezvous site where hopefully they would find Phox. The mention of kids made her heart light up. They had such eager young minds...a true delight in any pack, usually. "Mmn, I can't wait to meet them."