Whitebark Stream Time to get some pistols and a doctor on site

She's not crossin' any borders, just checking the place out - AW, tags for reference, I don't believe Revan is joining

With @Revan following close behind did she approach the claimed lands. She was careful not to cross any borders, even though she was convinced she could talk her way out of most situations, and lingered nearby. Her head whipped to and fro, seeking a silhouette - a sign that somebody was home. She debated howling for attention in her mind, but found it rude to startle the whole pack simply because she wanted to know what it was all about. If she were to continue with this plan of hers, she needed allies wherever she could get them.

With Loinnir standing stately 'pon her caped back, she waited.

From the trees came a pale wolf, who paused upon noticing the lingering youth at his borders. Artyom took a moment to observe, ivory tail straightened behind him and ears pricked forward curiously.

He maintained a certain stiffness as he drew near, earthen gaze sweeping the youngster's unfamiliar frame before it settled on her sharp features. To her he offered a soft woof in greeting, first testing how she would react to his arrival before he would investigate her loitering.

There was a sign of life beyond the borders, one that approached her dominantly and she curtsied in greeting with a saccharine smile accenting her delicate features. She floated nearer, tail gently wafting to and fro lower than she usually carried it to remain respectful. She knew not who had come to greet her, but the alabaster coated, vanilla-cream topped young man looked paramount among these trees.

Good day, sir. She greeted, voice a soft melody. I am incredibly sorry for disturbing you, but I was wondering if you cared for a chat about your home.

With a cheerful sweep of her tail, the young wolfess mustered a jolly grin and ventured closer. Artyom let himself soften somewhat, a corner of his maw turned upward in an amused smile as she piped up in question. "Hm," the ranger drawled, "I suppose it depends what you would like to know."

She was a polite little thing, delicate and pretty, probably too young to be roaming around in Wintertime without the support of a pack. Artyom half expected her to have come seeking food or shelter, and knew he would feel obliged to assist considering her age. In the meantime, however, he figured he would entertain her curiosities and play along should she proceed to offer some girl scout cookies.

Luckily for the young fae, she was an old soul trapped in the vessel of an almost-yearling. Somehow she had gotten through most of the winter moons all on her own, though Loinnir and her brother were welcome additions to her traveling party. She had yet to convince herself she was truly ready to lead, though she wasn't hasty when it came to establishing her court of wonders - all her plans were simple thoughts on what she wanted to build. She doubted that anything would come of it, though remained hopeful.

Oh well yes, sir - Perhaps a name? Do its members live in peace? She questioned, almost as if she was interviewing him. She had forgotten to introduce herself, but seeing as the young man hadn't done so yet, perhaps now was the prime time. I am Lumiya - I am currently exploring the Wilderness to learn more about it.

She did not at once turn her nose up at the ranger's reluctance to dive nose-first into an enthusiastic revelation of what made Whitebark Stream his home, but instead responded with politeness. Her words were light and airy, youthful, and he pricked a gilded ear curiously as she proceeded to "interview" him.

"Well," he shifted his weight, "we are Whitebark Stream, and we would consider ourselves on friendly terms with our neighbours." An introduction was swift to follow and with a curt dip of his ivory snout to accompany the smile that worked it's way onto his lips, he responded gently: "and you may call me Artyom."

If there was one thing her mother had taught her, other than that she was weak and lesser than the rest of them, it was manners. Due to her politeness, she had not yet made a single enemy and, even if someone disliked her, she was sure enough of her abilities that she could talk her way through it. The wisp of a woman was cunning, even if she didn't realize it herself.

She returned the smile given with warmth and a beating heart. The young man called Artyom was pure, Lumi could tell. She wondered if he was a family man, living together with his sweetheart - how romantic. Isn't that wonderful? She responded. And what role do you carry around here, sir Artyom? Perhaps she was being over polite, but she could not help it - near borders meant near possible hostility, and it was clear for all to see the fae was not a fighter. Though the place seemed peaceful, nature could be cruel and tides turned in the blink of an eye. That, she also learned from her mother; be careful at all times.

"My mate, Dawn, is our Alpha," came his response to the starry-eyed youth, and he quietly considered his own position in Whitebark's hierarchy. Artyom supposed it was something he was yet to find; he held no ambition to rise up as a co-leader, though he supposed he would accept the role to aid Dawn following Bhediya's disappearance.

He carried on: "we will likely welcome cubs in the Springtime, so I suppose I could be considered a father as well as a hunter." Artyom eyed the girl, his concern resurfacing as he wondered of her own place in the world. "Where is it that you come from, Lumiya?"

Listening intently, she tried to store as much information in her mind as she possibly could. Their name, their scent - their seemingly benevolent pair of leaders who were, apparently, expecting! Though she rarely wished for children herself, she was filled with joy whenever someone mentioned the little pixies running 'round a loving family. She wanted to give them the encouragement she'd never gotten.

Oh - congratulations to you both! — I wish them good health and happiness. She said sincerely. Wishes, she knew, could come true - and this one was simply too wonderful not to. Then she became the topic of conversation, something she minded very little. There wasn't much to her story yet, but the greatness yet to come filled her with confidence she could not have mustered moons ago. I was born in the flatlands - over the mountains. My family moved away shortly after, but I returned not too long ago with aspirations to build something of my own.

The youth's well wishes were warmly received, and the proud Artyom smiled down at her. He was excited to see what the future had in store for he and Dawn, for their children to come, for the meaning behind their founding of Whitebark Stream: a fresh start. Their new beginning had started of wonderfully and continued to blossom, something that Artyom hoped would continue for a long time to come.

"Ah," he said when Lumiya shared her desire to chase her own dream, though could not quite shake the fact that she was so young. She probably looked at leadership through rose-tinted spectacles; where were her parents through this? Artyom struggled to think how he might feel if one of his own cubs ventured into the unknown at Lumiya's age, desperate to be an adult far too soon. "You have no family with you?"

But Lumiya had been burdened with more than anyone realized. She had seen her parents struggle in a leading position, had seen her father break down about it - had had meaningful conversations with the queen of the court that were settled outside of the wilderness. If Lumi was a child, then those around her were toddlers - babies even. She was more thoughtful than anyone but Clementine and her brother gave her credit for.

My brother is with me, for now — and I've made many friends and allies along my way. She knew Artyom did not know what had happened within her family, how she'd been mentally abused, but found it better to state with confidence she was not alone. What was family, when those that were meant to nurture and protect you turn out evil and uncaring? She was far happier living among strangers. I hope your family will see me as a friend too. She expressed with an expression that could melt the winter away.

Artyom felt some quiet relief to learn that his young acquaintance was not entirely alone, though he wondered why two juvenile littermates had come to disperse from their family at such a tender age. He felt they ought to still be learning key skills to survive in the wilds: strengthening defence skills, be taught how to hunt larger game to lessen the chance of injury, see how the adults functioned as a pack. Still, he supposed it was good that the siblings had each other.

"I hope so too," he smiled again, taking note of her strange little white companion for the first time as it ruffled its pallid feathers. Artyom eyed the owl curiously; "and who might this be?"

If only Artyom did know about her uncaring, unloving family - surely he would have advised her to leave the minute she was able to. She had endured enough - perhaps even too much - and was now finally paving a way all her own. She had noticed that not many outside of her family actually disliked her (and how could they?!), and that gave her a confidence boast like no other she'd ever received.

She was glad everyone was being nice to her, so very very thankful. She turned to look at Loinnir then, her feathered traveling friend perched patiently on pristine, pruned back. I named him Loinnir - he does not seem to mind it. She answered. He's been my traveling partner since I found him in the mountains. She gestured to the high peaks she was sure were somewhere behind her, looming 'ver the Taiga in all their unwavering glory.

Maybe a good place to fade with your next post, @Lumiya?

Loinnir and Lumiya. A suitable pair: both little, both sweet and both gentle. Artyom smiled inwardly at his silent comparison, and let his warm eyes drift once more from the pallid owl to his bi-eyed companion.

"I wish you both luck in your venture, маленькая сова," the ranger told Whitebark's newest visitor, despite the deep-rooted concern in him that some might seek to take advantage of the naive young she-wolf and her hope for a place to call her own. "You will let us know when you settle?"

Her traveling companion only looked the part of gentleness and sweetness - the creature was jealous, unrefined and ill-mannered most of the time. Artyom was lucky he had met him on a calmer day, otherwise the fae would not have doubted that Loinnir would've swooped down to threaten the poor father-to-be.

Thank you, sir Artyom. She curtsied instead of nodded then, feeling as if their conversation had come to an end. Besides, the sun was almost setting and they had yet to find a place to spend the night. I will make sure to send word of our forming.

Fading here, a little PP to end - let me know if you'd rather I change it.  <3

She dubbed his "sir", then went on to lower herself respectfully before him. Artyom looked down at the little wolfess, amusement in the glimmer of each warm iris, before he opted to play along. Raising a forepaw and placing it before the other, the gilded ranger swept low in a responding bow.

"Lady Lumiya," he crooned playfully, tail swishing as he gathered himself upright once more. "Allow me to escort you to the edge of the woods," he would not accept her rejection, should it come, for he did not feel it appropriate to allow such a delicate creature wander the forest alone.

Artyom padded alongside her for a time until the trees grew thin, and watched her venture out into the plains for a time before he turned to make his way home.