Whitebark Stream honey and the moon

AW but looking for @Artyom

Silver fur glinted in the sun—though the stark contrast of the copper mask upon her slender face was almost radiant beneath it. Perhaps, the girl herself could have been described also as such, if her thin form did not reveal the jut of ribs and the unkempt appearance of subpar days.

Meadow had been a wanderer for long enough—never truly able to find a place to settle to, and so she stood upon the fresh borders of an unknown pack, the only true interest she held now was the knowledge that her birth pack had once laid claim to the forest not far from them.

She needed to start somewhere—and so the girl tilted her muzzle back, eliciting a low song that requested the presence of the wolves that laid claim to the stream.

She was not a warrior, scout, or alpha, by any means. 
But she knew what it was like to be lonly. 
The sound of a howl roused her and she cocked her head curiously, rising to her paws. The shewolf before her looked exhausted, ragged, and skinny. 
"Oh! Uhh..I know usually Artyom handles these things...but I'm a healer. Im sure he would understand- you look like you haven't seen a proper meal in weeks." 
Saphire orbs gazed calmly at the young Fae, and she lifted her lips in a comforting smile.

cameo! tags for reference.

wanderlust growing, alsek snuck quietly from his mother's breast. he flicked his tail as an invitation to @Pele, then crept outside of the den, carefully avoiding @Kavik's eye. once he was sure that neither parent had followed, the child began investigating a curious oak tree.

then, the summons were sounded, and he couldn't help but respond. was alsek meant to call back? he nervously tilted his head to release something between howl and whine, finding himself quite pleased with the result. 

alsek walked toward the sound's source, still making his small calls, until finally coming into the presence of two unfamiliar women. one smelled like home but the other did not; he crept toward aphrodite's leg where he folded himself into a seat.

Met by a rather pretty she-wolf, Meadow folded herself down further—lean form brushing closer to the ground in submission, despite the kind words she was met with. Her bright eyes skimmed to the Stream wolf’s flank, not looking toward her eyes. “Oh,” she murmured, about to answer when a barking howl cut her off.

Her ears flattened to her skull as the howl came closer, revealing a tiny, dark pup that looked too young to be so close to the borders.

Despite how endearing he seemed, Meadow now looked to her own silver paws, hoping to appear as unthreatening as possible, despite the kindness that was bestowed upon her thus far. “I was hoping to learn more about your pack, and if there was room for another? I’m an aspiring medic myself.”

She was waiting for the ladies response when the squeaky calls of a pup rang out- Aphrodite was mildly alarmed at the pups presence, and she discreetly placed her forepaws in front of him, tucking him securely against her belly. 
"You're a little young for border patrol, little one." She chided gently before turning her attention to the newcomer.
"We're a small group, but we make do. I would love to have another healer, my daughter, Melody, was supposed to be....but..." The truth was Melody was missing. Her scent faded, and Aphrodite feared the worst- that the poor girl was wandering aimlessly, or worse, had killed herself.

Late to arrive at the borders, Artyom chuffed his gratitude to Aphrodite for attending their visitor before he could. To the healer he shot a fond smile and offered a brief sweep of his tail before his earthen gaze shifted to the small, dark figure of a child - one of Grezig and Kavik's litter. His warm expression faded to one of disapproval and the gilded Alpha swivelled an ear backward, hopeful to hear his parents' approaching paws.

Regardless of the pup's wanderings, he was in good hands with Aphrodite. Artyom at last turned focus to the newcomer and regarded her gently, dark eyes kind on her as he sought her narrow features. "Hello. My name is Artyom," he introduced smoothly, "I apologise for keeping you waiting. How can we help you today?"

The pup was gently scolded—the amber eyes of the girl watching with light yearning as she realized that was something she had missed in her own childhood. Guidance. Her father had died in her earlier months of life, and her mother had been primarily absent. There were few memories of Pema, and even fewer of Shale.

Her siblings gone.

Blinking, she pulled herself from those thoughts, allowing them to drift to the background of her mind and heart where she kept them safely under lock and key. When the woman mentioned her own daughter then faltered, there was an unspoken understanding from the young silver girl, and she bowed her muzzle lower with acceptance of such. “I would love a teacher, if possible,” she murmured, unsure how to go from here. This woman claimed she did not have the power to accept her—so now what?

Before she could ask what she could do—already longing to be placed under the wing of the dove before her, an ivory male stalked forward, his eyes kind and his presence demanding the attention he deserved. Her head bowed even lower, if possible, her honeyed eyes drifting to his chest. “Meadow, sir,” she replied, feeling a tinge of nerves flutter in her belly. “I would like to join your pack as an aspiring healer.”

Gonna skedaddle and let Artyom handle it.

She gave a demure smile at Artyom as he arrived, greeting her. She knew the Fae was in good hands now, and rose to her paws. 
"I've gotta find this little imp a safer place to play. Let me know when you're accepted, we'll get a meal in you and I'll start teaching you the basics." 
She gently gripped the pup in her jaws and padded towards the dens.

As Aphrodite excused herself, keen to escort their young ward elsewhere, the gilded Alpha was grateful. The borders were no place for an infant of such a tender age, and he dipped his muzzle to Whitebark's healer in silent thanks before turning focus entirely on their newest recruit.

"Well," he smiled, "Aphrodite sees potential in you." She had taken the time to greet her, to reach out and learn something of her, and seemed hopeful for a new student. Artyom knew she'd been close to young Minnow, and could be eager to fill a void left in her absence. "I think you'll fit right in."

He tturned then, offered an inviting sway of his thick ivory tail, and made to venture deeper into his territory. "Where was it you came from, Meadow?"