Whitebark Stream I tried to make ramen in the coffee pot and I broke everything

He wasn't keen to waste much time on this errand. As good as a new adventure was, Round Valley stayed at the forefront of his mind. Timberlake was ready to get back to his aunt, his cousins, Bella. . . Meeting up with far-flung family was great and all, but Round Valley was home.

The yearling crossed the glacier with some haste and his interest was piqued as the scent of wolves began to grow stronger on the other side. He followed the aroma to a stream, the tell-tale sign of border markings nearby. His nostrils flared as he tried to find something familiar within the smell—

But, of course, that was foolish. He would hardly remember anyone from childhood; it had been so long, and so much had happened.

Timberlake would have to ask around, instead. There was no way he was finding the others in good time without help. He lifted his dark muzzle and howled, his stomach twisting in anticipation as the sound rang out. Were any of them here?

Omg Timberlake  ;_;  <3

He had not been far when a stranger's call went up from the borders, having been picking his way along the Westernmost territory outskirts to refresh his markers. Artyom abandoned his patrol and made his way swiftly toward the location that the stranger's howl had come from.

Earthen eyes found a dark figure between the trees, and the pale-furred ranger moved through the frosted trees to greet him with a friendly wave of his tail. "Hello," Artyom said, a welcoming smile blooming on his muzzle. "What can we do for you?"

A stout cream-furred male soon appeared, carrying himself like someone of authority. Timberlake noted his accent with some curiosity before smiling, scrambling to piece together all the names he had to inquire after.

I'm Timberlake, he began. I'm looking for some members of my family that might be around here. There's Pema, my mother, and my siblings—Radcliffe, Meadow, and Padma. Uh. . .let's see. Dawn, Sunny, Easy, Lavender, Dauntless. . .uh—oh, and Winterbourne.

Timberlake gave the man a sheepish look, aware that he had just bombarded him with a bunch of information. Do you know any of them? Or know if they're nearby? He could sniff for himself, but it had been too long for the Sameth boy to remember most of their scents. Only Pema's and his littermates' would be at all recognizable.

The boy seemed pleasant enough, and Artyom was glad to receive his companionship for the duration of his visit. Most of Whitebark's visitors had been friendly and respectful enough, so he felt no need approach with hostility. It was sure to come back and bite him on the ass someday, considering the oftentimes cruel nature of the wilds.

"Welcome," he respended with a dip of his muzzle following the other male's offering of a name, and shared his own before Timberlake continued on with a collection of others.

The first few meant nothing to him, but he listened quietly anod with an open mind. Dawn had come from a vast family and although she'd shared much with him, the pair still had much to learn from one another. Her calling from Timberlake's maw came as no real surprise to Artyom, but he lit up to hear him speak it. "Dawn is my mate," he announced with a more energetic sweep to his tail as he carried on with an assumption: "Sunny and Lavender were here too, until recently. They are your siblings?"

His jaw fell slightly as the man spoke, confirming that at least three had been here—and one still was. Really?! That's great! he exclaimed, grinning. They're my cousins. . .my dad's brother's children. But Dawn was like an aunt to me when I was little.

Timberlake sighed slightly, falling into the sweetness of childhood memories for a moment before more pressing matters brought him back to the present. Do you know where they went? Sunny and Lavender?

It was a good lead to follow next. At least he had found something. . .and so soon into his journey!

Oh, and is anybody else here related to Dawn? Timberlake added, remembering that their family could extend well beyond the names he had dedicated to memory.

I might be wrong but I think Lavender lived at Sunspot's pack for a while - reared her litter there too? I'm pretty sure she went back there so I'm gonna make things vague here, lol.

Timberlake seemed surprised - happily - to gain new information on his splintered family. The gilded ranger beamed, earthen eyes glittering with the excitement that seeped from the young wanderer. It was infectious, he felt, and his thoughts shifted briefly to his own relatives in Timiryazevskaya. How delightful it would be to touch base with his little sisters, with his cousins - if only fate hadn't driven him away from them.

"Ah," he said when the dark yearling corrected him, and his smile softened when he went on to elaborate: "Lavender has her own children, grown now, who live with her... aunt, I think? She's gone back to visit them." At least she had left on a happier note; Artyom's expression dropped, and his ears pressed back. "But Sunny disappeared recently, as did his son Valiant," he answered, his fruitless efforts to locate his brother by law and the others still fresh. He hoped they were together, at least, wherever they'd wound up. "We don't know where they are."

Not all was lost, however, so the pale hunter lifted his gaze once more to look upon Whitebark's newest visitor. "His daughter, Minnow, is still here with us," warmth on his features again, to speak of his young niece. Artyom had grown fond of her, more so over the recent weeks as he spent more time with her. Additionally, and a little more proudly, "and Dawn and I are expecting a litter within the month."

Wasn't sure on the timeline of that so I'll just say they passed each other on the road :P

He nodded warmly; he knew all about Lav's children, as they were some of his closest companions back home. We must have just missed each other, Timberlake mused, shrugging. Last I knew, she had left to come down here. The news about Sunny—and a son!—wasn't as good, but he kept in good spirits, hoping that he could find his cousin somewhere in these wilds.

I'll keep an eye out for them, he promised, and then smiled at the mention of Minnow. And then could have positively jumped for joy as the man informed him Dawn was expecting pups, too! Wow, congratulations! Timberlake exclaimed, tail wagging in tremendous fashion, face split in a grin even wider than what was customary. That's awesome!

He cocked his head, eyes scanning the backdrop behind the other wolf before returning his gaze to the man's face. Are either of them around? Dawn and Minnow, I mean. I would like to say hi, he said softly.

Artyom had not formally met Dawn's mottled half-sister, but had seen her in passing. He recalled her being quiet, always looking somewhat lost - as though she hadn't found her place in the world. A sad soul, tormented by grief following a most devastating loss. He wished he could've gotten to know each of his mate's siblings better before they'd chosen to disperse, but he felt he'd tried his best - and hoped that they might someday return to them. 

It seemed Timberlake had just missed Lavender, and that their paths had not crossed when she found herself homeward bound. It did not weigh on the boy, however, for Artyom fit the snippets of his information together to conclude that he and his cousin had shared a home until recently. He acknowledged this with a bob of his head, followed by an appreciative wag of his tail as he offered to keep alert for the other missing wolves he'd asked after.

All his concern was shelved at the dark youth's particularly enthusiastic exclamation of congratulations for a new generation, and he beamed with an expectant father's pride. "Thank you," he said, and carried on with the real reason behind Timberlake's arrival: "I imagine they heard your call, but if not I can pass a message on for you?"

Timberlake's writer hadn't known about Huskarl dying, but Timberlake sure did. He hoped that Lavender would find happiness with her children back in Round Valley and was looking forward to seeing her. For now, he concentrated on the man's words; he hoped his call had been loud and distinctive enough to heed!

Just tell them I'll be around for a few days, if they want to spend some time with their cousin, he replied, smiling. I'll probably be looking for the maplewood—don't know if Dawn told you, but we used to live there. I think it's close? he guessed, his silly self completely missing the fact that it was just to the south.

Oh, wait. . .what's your name? Timberlake added, chuckling. I hope I didn't forget it so soon. That would be embarrassing. He didn't remember Dawn's mate sharing a name, but then, there was a lot to keep track of, these days.

The ranger dipped his head in quiet agreement to inform his mate and her young niece of Timberlake's arrival. He did think to invite him to stay among them, but his suggestion of only being around for a few days was enough to make him believe that the boy had no intention of remaining. Artyom did not comment further on the matter, though was sure Dawn would extend the offer once again when she crossed paths with her cousin.

He turned his head to his left, muzzle pointed to Whitebark's Southern outskirts: "you'll find the maplewood that way," he said, "it marks our borders." If Timberlake had lived there before, he would surely find it without an escort.

Before his departure, however, he seemed tk have further questions. The pale Alpha, despite feeling sure that he'd already introduced himself, could appreciate that it may have been missed in all the excitement of finding lost family. "It's Artyom," he shared with a sweep of his tail.

His eyes followed the gesture, tail beginning to wag once more. That is close! he remarked, returning his gaze to the man's—who had a name, now. Thank you for everything, Artyom. Maybe I'll stop by again when the pups are here!

Timberlake couldn't think of anything finer and was already planning his route back to Round Valley, naturally with a detour here, when he left the borders of Whitebark Stream and went south. He sure did love pups, and if they were his cousin's. . .even better.

At the suggestion of Timberlake's return, Artyom's gilded ears pricked forward with enthusiasm. He did not hesitate to consider how delightful it would be to keep him close, even if only for a time; Dawn's family was a large one and she longed to keep them close. For her, he hoped it could be possible, and he hoped their newborns might be enough reason for her young cousin to stay.

"We would be glad to have you," the pale leader smiled brightly. "Family of Dawn is family of mine, they are always welcome here."

He grinned, happy to add another member to his already-massive family. That's great. I'm glad she has you, Artyom. Dawn deserved all the best, and Timberlake was now sure she had found it. And pups—! Pups would add even more to their collective joy.

I should be on my way again, but it was nice to meet you, and hopefully I'll see you on the journey back, Timberlake remarked. He was a little daunted by the prospect of the open road, especially after finding family here. But they hadn't all been here, and he didn't want to rest until he had more answers.

He bade the man farewell and took off, tail flagging. Soon enough, he'd be in the vaguely familiar confines of the maplewood. . .and that would be more of a blast from the past than anything else so far.