Noctisardor Bypass You turned a good thing into a tragedy

Setting: Evening — 19:25
Weather: 70F — slightly cloudy, light breeze, sunset.
Location: Just outside the Legion’s borders. Basically in/bordering Jade Fern Grove.
Tags: @Valour @Arbiter @Kaertok

Forward dated to Sep, 24th. It’s going to take them around 3 full days of travel to get there. Since the distance between them is around 65 miles. 

Anyone else from Legion welcome ofc!

Donovan remembers of a pack Merrick mentioned once — Legion is their name. Near enough to Merrick’s land that he disclosed his dislike for the group. Now it’s Kynareth’s turn to see what they’re like. An alliance in mind, but if anything he seeks neutrality. He knows not how they operate though, so the outcome is a mystery as of now. Especially since he’s heard so little about them.

He gathered Valour about three days ago. Informed him that he will be going on a little trip with the Grandmaster to meet this new, mysterious pack. Now though, he dares to believe that they’ve finally found them. The scent of a pack strong in the forest they walk through. It only becomes stronger the further they walk. 

Finally the forests opens up and Donovan decides that this is far enough. He gives an easy look to Valour and tilts his massive head back. A howl is ripped from the heart of his breast — deep and rumbling — powerful. A wish to speak with their alphas.

The thing about power is that when someone acts too bold, it comes with suspicion. Why would someone call the way they did at the borders of a pack they were unfamiliar with? Potentially no good. It wasn't a tone that Arbiter appreciated, either way. She had already left the pups with Warlock not too long ago, she'd just been finding herself a meal from the cache before heading to a patrol, but now put that off, turning her paws towards the source. Change of plans.

It wasn't long before she spotted them. The one man was particularly peculiar looking. Not one easily forgotten, for better or worse. His tail irked her. Was it stuck like that or did he leave it like some sort of show of ego? It irked her either way, at her borders, the only dominant wolf here should be her -- and Kaertok of course. She assumed it was him who had called, just because of that. The other wolf was a yearling, not nearly so flashy as the striped man. 

As usual, she was terse, her expression serious but not particularly telling beyond that, This is Legion, I am Arbiter. What did you call for? It should be obvious that this was her pack. She looked between them, analyzing them openly.

In the time since joining, Dægmar had not been the most sociable of creatures. Acquainted with Kaertok and Spook alone, with the occasional brush-by of others, left him feeling scooted to the edge of the pack. It was okay- he never expected to scale ranks quickly or make friends easily (especially not after seeing the personality of the pale man who had accepted him.) Hard work was required to integrate well, and thus the call at the borders, despite being directed towards the Alphas, caused his ears to perk. He would never seek to attend such a meeting where he didn't belong to speak, but a silent knight could always be useful. Thus the shadow made his way to the source of the sound, coming up beside Arbiter, though careful to respect her personal space. It was then that his fool's gold gaze found the visitors- a boy, and an unfortunately familiar face beside him. The man who had injured that poor grey woman Dawn without reason (or any reason clear to him- though he was bound to vouch for that sex by instinct.) Dægmar did not wish to arrive and draw attention to himself, but immediately the fur along his spine rose in unwilling nervousness. And all he wondered was, what is this scoundrel doing here? A slight glance to Arbiter then- had Kaertok told her what he had passed to him?

God he was still messed up but he needed to stay in shape. When Donovan had mentioned the trip and told Valour he would be going with him, he didn't protest even though he wasn't feeling it. The further they got from the canyon the more he noticed that where they headed was not possibly anywhere close to the place Ursus resided, for Ursus was next door to Easthollow. Keeping his mouth shut tight on his opinions and praying Donovan didn't start any problems he noticed the powerful scent coming from the borders and halted just behind Donovan keeping close and poising as a warrior on guard would head held high and chin lifted though his tail was held between his legs stiff and displaying his wariness as Donovan eyed him and howled for the leaders.

As the first wolf strode forward he studied her with a quick and attentive search doing his routine check for fresh wounds or any signs she'd give off that would make a good target if things got nasty and he had to protect Donovan's curly tailed ass. He would be silent and watchful the entire time making note of their name and the name of the she wolf as he drew in her scent his eyes lifting to the background catching the shadow that arrived to stand respectfully beside Arbiter. It was him who Valour focused on watching gold eyes sharpen on Donovan and his fur bristle, the tension radiating causing Valour to inch just a hint closer to Donovan's side his expression just as wary as the shadow's and fur laying flat though the gesture was meant to instate his duty as Guard. Whatever he knew of Donovan there would be no fighting, Valour would intercept at the smallest violent gesture shown by either wolf. Pressing unknowingly close to Donovan the rise of tension in his muscle could be felt by the man if he paid attention enough to the stress ridden warrior he'd decided to bring along. Not wanting to seem too hostile he broke the gaze off and looked to the she wolf "Valour" but said nothing more leaving the rest to Donovan. 

Kynareth watches intently as their alpha shows herself. She’s impressive if anything — a large built wolf, muscular and surely a seasoned warrior. That has potential. He’s not too worried about anything so far, that is until that shadow follows behind her. That wolf that protected Dawn when he wanted to recite his revenge against Aphrodite’s pack. Little to say it didn’t go as planned. He almost wants to laugh at the sight of him. For if he is in this pack then he knows this alliance or possible neutrality will go straight down the drain. There’s no doubt that he’d tell his leaders about the deed. If this pack is like the others, they’d take offense to his attack on Dawn. Who knows how they are though, perhaps they’ll glorify it. Ursus probably would have, but this isn’t Ursus. Still, the show must go on.

The brindled male doesn’t posture himself dominantly, or not intentionally so. His body relaxed as he gazed upon their leader. “Evening, Name’s Kynareth. We reside from the mountains just west of here — The Saints of the Dying Light.” He informs and introduces himself and his pack. His voice isn’t overly confident, but it is sure and unafraid. “I learned of your pack from another and decided that we should make ourselves acquainted. I have an alliance in mind, but of course if eyes don’t meet, then I desire neutrality if anything.” He dips his head to Arbiter then, a gesture meant for her to voice her opinion as well. Only briefly acknowledging the pitch black wolf beside her.

And then she was not alone on her side of the border. It was the new guy. Ruffled by this meeting, she noted. More on that later, but vagueness of IC knowledge aside, she wanted things to play out the way she wanted them to play out, hopefully not too much of a wildcard there. It didn't matter how much she knew or didn't, she just liked things being the way they should be.

Arbiter looked to Daegmar with an even glance, one ear still turned back to the other pair, calm and quiet. A pause, a blink, and she looked forward again. Okay, it was probably pretty unlikely that her latest packmate knew how to read her expressions the way her own son might (unsurprisingly), but there was no obvious insight to her thoughts beyond that  right now. Just a glance that regained it's previous hawkish stare when turned back upon the visitors, That's a distance. Who did you speak to? Apparently this was a short-on-words conversation. Arbiter could trend either way depending on how the game was played, but this was how it was going to be for now, accentuated with a very slight inquisitive tilt of her head. She still didn't seem particularly pleased by it all, but was she ever?

The first thing he noticed was that Donovan Azura of the Abbey was using a fake name. Dægmar had still given a description to Kaertok- and this man was too distinct looking to be mistaken for anyone different. He wasn't sure what the brute thought a fake name would do for him when he would stand out like a sore thumb everywhere he went anyway. There was no point. The second thing Dæg noticed was also the omitted information. Another was a vague term, and though the shadow knew very little of the pack politics around here, he assumed Arbiter had a fairly developed directory of names and faces. Almost any name Donovan Azura could present would mean nothing to the knight, but it had to be relevant to the leader. The woman paid him a momentary glance that he couldn't read; Dægmar blinked once in response and returned his attention to their guests, hoping that wasn't some secret signal. Arbiter took care of the important questions while the shadow hung back, though ears canted forward.

Praimfaya's harsh judgement of The Saints had done much to keep Valour's walls up amidst them. This journey was something he hadn't know very much about but from the tension radiating off the shadow, the young lord had expected a rise in it from Donovan who to his surprise spoke with more eloquence than admittedly was thought due here. Gunmetal eyes leaving the shadow to give Donovan a look of surprise as Arbiter turned from the introduction, studying his leader with a bit of surprise from the outright neutrality and the false name given. Holding his tongue he regained his composure as the she wolf turned back and commented on their travel asking who they'd spoken to about Legion...so far there was nothing but politics and so Valour went back to studying the shadow with interest though his previously piercing stare would now just be his typical expressionless mask though he was wondering at his response to Donovan. Arbiter has shown none of the same so whatever lay between the men must be personal and left unbrought to the pack as a whole though Valour wasn't ignorant enough to admit it was probably something Donovan had done in the past even if it was simply a fight. 

Skippable unless needed!

So I typed up a rly nice post but I lost it so now everyone gets this. I’m sorry :’>

Donovan misses Valour’s well hidden look of incredulity. Instead focusing his whole attention, or at least most of it on the two before him. Taking easy, casual glances around the forest to scout for any other wolves or things to keep in mind. 

Yet even as this Alphess wonders where he got such information from he tries not to laugh. He wonders where this pack stands on the thought of Ursus. He will stay on the neutral side — if possible — until they show which team they bat for.

On another note, he’s surprised the shadowy male hasn’t said something yet. Probably trying to keep it cool until he’s behind closed doors. Or perhaps not. Either way, Donovan will be watching him just as close. 

So finally, Kynareth speaks. “It is.” He comments uselessly about the distance traveled. “An Ursus wolf by the name of Merrick.” Comes his business like reply. He knows she will have questions as soon as he spills the name. The man seems to be well know in these parts. 

Yet he will continue just as if the name doesn’t mean anything to him. “Though I do not expect an alliance or neutrality after one visit. If you wish to ponder on it. Perhaps we could discuss more when you’re ready. For now we can just make ourselves acquainted.” He watches her, gold to blue. Almost waiting for this to go very wrong.

Ursus, and especially Merrick, were the antithesis of stability and reason. So why would they even mention her pack? It certainly didn't reflect well on... whatever the hell he wanted to call himself this week, if he was buddy-buddy with him. Those who trusted Merrick were either his philosophical kin or naïve and she'd yet to be proven wrong on that. Ulterior motives somewhere in this all. And so swiftly speaking of alliances and neutrality! He didn't fit with what she knew was average in the Teekons, and that may not be a good thing.

But this was Arbiter. She just blinked and kept her thoughts otherwise to herself. But for all the words he'd said, he had given less information than even Arbiter herself had offered, and bringing Ursus into the mix didn't exactly make her want to sit around and play too much. So, she opted to make a point with a rather flatly-spoken question, Are you new at this? So far I haven't heard anything but what you want. She let it hang in the air a second but she wasn't yet done, Not what your pack is, not why someone from so far away cares -- I could go on. But she wouldn't. Because she didn't feel like giving out any hints -- this was sink or swim for the guy. It would be one thing if he had made things fun, but that might be hard, from her perspective he was already doing a good job tripping over himself even without bringing in other knowledge.

If the boy or the brute expected Dægmar to act out, they were sorely mistaken in their perception of him. His fur bristled without choice- like any alarmed creature, like goosebumps up someone's arm or the dilation of their pupils. The shadow knew his place within Legion. It did not matter, if this pack allowed each and every member to behave as they wished. He was a recruit, thus he would act on the basis of what he expected a recruit should be- and that was practically a puppet, a wolf who followed the command of their present master until they rose high enough to influence the decisions. For now, he would only gather information- and one of the things said piqued his interest. Ursus was the name of the crazy pack whose leader killed people, according to Spook. Dægmar didn't know the name Merrick, but he paid a brief glance to Arbiter- would she recognize that someone? If she thought anything of it, her face showed nothing of that. The shadow returned his attention to the brute. Not expecting an alliance or neutrality after this meeting amused him- what would come of this meeting, if not neutrality? The only other sort of relationship was enemies. Still, the druid's face was a rock. Unmoving in any portrayal of his thoughts. Arbiter spoke up then, pointing out the obvious flaws in the brindle's approach to diplomacy. The shadow stayed quiet, opting to listen to his answer, if he could produce one of any meaning.

It was Valour's turn to begin to bristle shifting uncomfortably beside Donovan as the woman spoke to Donovan in what wasn't the most hostile of tones but boy did the choice of words rub him the wrong way. Holding his tongue while he thought over what she said he found it completely baffling and couldn't help but feel she needed to be talked back down so they could maybe try from a different angle. "You haven't asked us anything about our pack, You were more concerned about who told us about you. You're a pack leader you should understand why we're not standing here telling you everything about ourselves right off the bat. Excuse me if that came across as too blunt but that's a stupid thing to do. We don't know you the same as you don't know us" he looked quickly at Donovan his ears twitching back nervous that he was doing something wrong by stepping into the conversation. "The only thing we've said we wanted was at least nuetrality until we both know one another's packs better which is how alliances are supposed to work. You seem to have totally bypassed my leader's respectful offer to leave now and give you time to think about it. The Saints are already giving your pack the utmost respect" the words poured out in a calm tone, each sentence hitting a pause so that what he said was about as thoughtful as he could get but it was the end bit that was spurred by the loyalty to the man by his side. Still an enigma to Valour yet he hadn't seen Donovan do anything other than try to keep his pack running and safe...though the Ursus matter would have to come to an end one way or another eventually. 

Kynareth’s attention is focused on the leader, Arbiter is her name. Surely a strong, intelligent leader as well. 

Are you new at this?

His brows furrow, but the question has his previously neutral face curling into a ‘oh let’s see what she has to say now’ type of smile. When she questions him on how much information he feeds her he almost wonders if it’s her that’s new to this. On a side note, thankfully the midnight wolf isn’t saying much, he’s being rather polite might he add. Standing obediently next to his master. He briefly flicks eyes to him as well. 

Then all of a sudden Valour is speaking. He’s calm, collected. While slightly stern, he is not truly rude. Yes, perhaps she’ll find his little speech off putting, rude perhaps, but how is that any different than her asking them both if they’re new to this? Her reply to Donovan is just as blatant in the ‘I don’t give a fuck to even speak to you kind of way’. So Kynareth allows him to finish. Ending it with a solid nod then looking back to Legion’s impressive alphess. 

His smile had faded away some time ago during Valour’s speech. When he decides to take his turn to add onto, basically seconding on, what his pack-mate said his face is neutral once more. His tone easy, nonthreatening, casual.

“You speak to us as if we haven’t lead our own packs. Why would I give you enough information on the first date that could cripple the security of my pack? Information requires trust does it not?” He asks calmly, genuinely curious as to how him spilling an abundance of information to a stranger pack would be a good idea. “Now you wish to know what my pack is like? We’re prideful, violent towards outsiders but not above making a deal as long as it benefits both packs, just as anyone else is.” He answers her first question. Onto the next. “Why does someone so far away care? I care because I like to know who lives in these lands with me. Who I know I can trust and can’t. So I can protect my pack.” He finishes with a look to her once more. Keeping eye contact as much as he’s able. It’s her turn to dish out some information. If not, there’s a smooth possibility of Kynareth’s turning around an not wasting a second more of his time on them.

Wow. And to think Arbiter had thought that the youth might be the smarter of the pair. That got ruined real quick once he opened his trap -- he seemed to be the type to be best being seen and not heard. By the time Valour had started in on his second sentence, she'd looked away from him and tuned him out entirely. So instead she again calmly looked to Daegmar to see what he thought of that kid -- for yearling or not, he was certainly acting like a child by interrupting and talking the way he was, as if the world revolved around him and she should be blindly begging to be their allies. Just because the way Valour talked was reasonably polite, it didn't mean his words and meaning actually were -- they absolutely were disrespectful to Arbiter's experience and need to protect her own pack. Arbiter herself usually tended to the opposite combination of words versus tone, it made it quite easy to separate the wheat from the chaff, as seemed to be the case here where the two men were getting their undies in a bit of a twist over her not being impressed by their disappointingly empty attempt at diplomacy.

Not that Donareth-the-namechanger was much better but at least he had rank and was thus worth more on paper, so she looked back his way in the end. But so far he'd been avoidant of giving information and now that he'd managed to squeeze out a couple of droplets of something actually useful for her, he wanted instant gratification -- possibly the worst combination of traits. Poor baby need a nap? The whole idea of waiting for a second visit to make up her mind was a joke, wasn't it? It wasn't like there was actually much information to actually think about... Combine that with the fact no Teekon pack here ever described themselves in the way that he did -- the packs here were families who defended their own, nobody went out of their way to describe themselves so negatively as prideful and aggressive -- it was, shall we say, him pointing out his pack was likely a bad neighbor. And even better, he was trying to make it seem like she was the one out of line? Ha. Time to place a couple of cards down and see if they realized they'd talked themselves into a corner.

A single note of a laugh, and to make things worse she seemed amused, You've got quite the inflated opinion of your position here. Let's be clear: you came to my doorstep from a distance far enough away where you might as well not exist, so it's up to you to make yourself worth my time. It was certainly not the other way around. Look, nobody likes door knockers who show up trying to get you to sign a petition to do some random dumb thing on a weekend morning, and from Arbiter's perspective that's what they were here doing. You could have happily been neutral by just staying home. But now you're here, begging for alliance while being ornery about giving the same degree of information you'd give to a potential recruit.

Her weight shifted forward, a sort of inquisitive lean coupled with a slight predatory glint to her eye that was echoed in the way she spoke now, It sounds more like to me that you're desperate. I wonder why. There was no question in it: of course she knew what Donovan had done -- and if he was in league with Ursus just to top it all off, that made him utterly untrustworthy even without his other crimes, known or imagined. It wasn't too much of a stretch to guess that if they were this desperate to wander this far from home to find allies or ensure that those they didn't even know were merely neutral to them, the entire pack had done enough ill to have pissed off most of the people who were a lot closer. They were presenting themselves as a wounded deer to the pale devil herself and she was keenly aware of that fact. She had every right to be suspicious, and every right to think that if they couldn't do things in the proper order without cutting corners -- introductions, explanations, then talk of alliances -- then their impatience meant something was wrong. They needed something and probably deep down knew that no sane wolf would give it to them.

To watch a young subordinate try to lecture Dægmar's adult leader on her behavior was... interesting. The shadow never thought she'd asked for too much information- was it not natural, to seek knowledge on a group looking to become allies? Dægmar had filled a fatherly role for many young boys and girls back in the land of the druids; the yearling's outburst was like a bittersweet reminder which made him think of all the undisciplined children that he had whipped into shape. Some children were born unruly, some were taught- but those with poor behavior could always be corrected by a strong role model. It seemed the agouti fellow was lacking in that place- for the brindle did not scold his poor behavior, only encouraged it. If that was Dægmar's lad, he would've put him in his place. The idea that information required trust- well, on some level that was true- but Dægmar believed it worked the other way too. Trust could not be formed without a lick of information; there had to be a cycle of give and take. The way the brindle described his pack caused the fur along the shadow's spine to raise again; what sort of beast described themselves as prideful and violent? As if these were good traits? When Arbiter looked to Dæg, she'd receive a upward pinch of one skeptical brow. The audacity of these wolves. Arbiter's returning words were cold, and the shadow was impressed by a woman so forward and bold. She proved herself just as capable as any man, the shadow thought, happy that this was the home in which he had settled- for there was no doubt within him that she was a strong alpha. He set his gaze on the dark brute- curious how he might try to defend his disrespect, or whether he would make the smarter choice to turn tail and exit before he embarrassed himself further and made another enemy.

 

"you've got quite the inflated ego on you Miss Arbiter. We didn't beg we offered in the most respectful way possible and you were rude but we're ornery because I defended my leader?I personally don't want to ally with a pack lead by a loose mouthed, Egotistical and rude she wolf" now he was pissed off his tone tight with the that simmering beneath his flesh. His silver eyes burned with contained anger as the words made Legion come across to him as someone who thinks they're better than any other breathing thing. Filled with nothing but ignorance and a completely unwarranted attitude, twisting their words and claiming they were begging when they'd done nothing of the such. It was something he was growing used to, being treated like scum and coming across people who must have some kind of processing issues because they spit words that have no validation in the situation. Whoever the hell Arbiter thought she was, Valour did not give a single damn and it was only the fact that he'd experienced the beating of Ursus that prevented him from lunging. Two on two...he wished he was feeling up to the risk. Instead he looked at Donovan and shook his head "Screw this Kynareth I know a much stronger pack I can get us in with. Desperate my ass"  he pictured Hydra and Moonspear while giving Arbiter one last look, snorting and not saying another word before he walked away not caring if Donovan was close behind or not. 

Kynareth’s is moderately shocked by Valour’s words. It almost makes him smile though. Rather that’s what he does. Donovan also wonders how she got the idea that they were begging. What a silly woman, assuming things like women usually do. He tries not to bunch all women under the same roof but hell, she’s making quite a stereotype of herself. So he hums thoughtfully as Valour spins around. This conversation is over it seems.

Still Donovan’s coingold hues meet the alphess. “My apologies ma’am — for the disrespect,” he comments deeply, smile gone for the moment. “But you’ve got quite the inflated opinion of your position here. Let’s be clear:,” he quotes from her previous words exactly. “We do not beg for anything. We are realistic with the amount of information to give. It almost makes me think that you’re new to this, dear. It was nice meeting you both.” He eyes her charmingly. “Please, have a good day, Arbiter.” 

He’s turning back along with Valour. Obviously looking back to them, golden eyes watching intently. Never turn your back on an enemy.

Look at that nice little tantrum! Okay, that was funny to see someone who should be an adult turning to stomp off like a pup, another slight laugh but her grin stayed, an expression that perfectly said that she expected no less from them. If he wanted to make a spectacle of himself, he could, and she'd use his behavior as an example of what not to do when explaining border behavior to her children. The comment that pointed out her gender didn't get a reaction but she did file it away just in case it was needed later.

There was one brief smidgen of hope that maybe the striped man might apologize and vow to discipline his mouthy underling but no, the lack of the latter meant the former was pretty empty. But then he continued -- unreal. Trying to claim a lead wolf at her own territory was above her station? Lol wut. Yeah. Their comment about Ursus now got painted in a different light -- the Saints wolves were unhinged in a different way but painted in a similar brush. Not a group to ever trust. A scoffing laugh, You're at my pack. You have nothing here. Take your whelp and stay gone, it'll be easier on everyone. Especially her because dealing with them was already proving to be a bit of a headache and she was feeling about as apathetic as old school Willy Wonka about this whole meeting. Daegmar was right. there. What were they expecting?!

Anyway, oh no, how dare Arbiter, the solider, judge, and particularly terse person not take their lip, how dare she ask for information and answers from those who came to her pack and wanted their help. She wasn't the type to give anything for free except caustic words. They'd blown their chance to explain pretty thoroughly by their own poor choices so Well...Bye.gif at the whole thing. She didn't feel like she'd be missing out on anything by never seeing them again.

A snort, then Arbiter shook out her fur and watched them heading towards the horizon silently before turning to Daegmar once they seemed to indeed be heading on their way, I think I must have hit a nerve. Honestly she didn't particularly care if they heard that bit. It might piss them off more and that would be amusing. Angry people did make such deliciously bad choices. 

I don't know what they expected, but they don't have much between their ears. You were there the whole time -- you aren't invisible to outsiders, correct? Yes, it was that ridiculous she had to make a joke about it in her usual dry way, I don't know why they bothered playing innocent. That was Donovan, wasn't it? Between what you reported and the feelings of the other Whitebark wolf my son met, the causal mention of Ursus, it isn't like he tried to change any minds. I wonder who is after their hides. Probably everyone, given they weren't big on sharing information that wasn't particularly tactically relevant to anything. Hell, since they'd mentioned Ursus, but not Easthollow, maybe they'd gone and pissed off them! Perhaps that was why they were so cagey, and they'd already struck against Whitebark, even if that pack was no more, but then went after Legion's long time allies... Yeah. She was not impressed.

A lot of tense words were exchanged. Dægmar's top lip rose to bare pearl fangs at the bastards that came here- it was not Legion who had run to them, but them who had come all the way to Legion. Now they behaved as if they were superior- but Dæg could only scoff internally at their childish behaviors. The yearling got emotional while the brindle was calmer, but both were trying to put down the Alpha. The shadow stepped forward, finally coming to stand at Arbiter's side while the fur along his spine bristled, and lamplit eyes narrowed to slits. It was good to see them go. To Arbiter's words, he nodded quietly. Yes, zat vas 'im. Ze bastard who 'urt Dawn vithout reason. At least no reason that had been clear to Dægmar that day. It had happened so fast- one moment they'd been greeting eachother, and as soon as she'd mentioned her missing packmate the brute had turned on her. Volves like zat alvays 'ave someone after zem. Zey say zey do not need ze alliance, but I very much doubt zis. A single shake of his wide head.

The whole meeting just seemed, well, bizarre. What had they wanted and expected, really? Who was after them? But yes, it seemed the pair of them were relatively in agreement here, Mmm. I'll give them a few hours to make themselves scarce and then check to be sure. She didn't trust them to stay gone. But then again, with the way they'd acted, maybe they were actually just going to storm off, ne'er to return. She'd be ok with that option for sure.  Her nose twitched. We'll have to check with Easthollow. Perhaps they know more.

And so, she changed the subject entirely, looking back to Daegmar again, frown cleared and back to her normal neutrality, a clean transition there, Our ranks are split -- where shall I put you, physical or scholarly? She wasn't fond of guessing -- she'd rather people just tell her. It made things easier. It was also clearer. Either way, he'd shown up here and what he'd said in the past to both her son and Kaertok appeared to be true, so she'd rather get him into the ranks of the respected sooner than later.

He was quiet as she explained where they would check next, only acknowledging her words with a small agreeable nod. He couldn't recall if he heard the name Essthollow before- but if so, it hadn't left an indent on his memory. By context he assumed they were friends and not foes. To the alphas question, he sighed, chuckled and shook his head. I vork in boz. He told her, and it was true- a warrior and a counselor, sometimes something like a caregiver too, with his draw towards raising those children whose parents were too irresponsible to do so themselves. But that was back home, and if these brutes were any indication, the pack likely needed more physical strength anyway. Ye can put me in ze physical, I suppose. He decided with a single nod of his ebony head.

We can probably wrap this! New thread would probably be good though to cover the other drama that's happened, rofl. I could maybe dredge one up in the next week-ish but if you're feeling particularly inspired feel free to tag me in one, haha.

She nodded, Good. If things change and you see yourself the other way, it's flexible. But right she just hoped that there wasn't some sort of fight brewing. They didn't have the spread of people she would have liked for that. Maybe at some point in the future, but not right now, not while her children were young. 

Still, business was mostly dealt with here. If you want to continue along, feel free. I will call if I spot them up to something no good. She turned and moved back from the border to underneath a tree, where she started grooming her fur. It was a good enough position to watch. Besides, for part of it she was just wasting time anyway. She didn't mind if he wanted to stay either, but he was dismissed to head off if he wanted.

He only nodded silently to her words. His gaze followed her for a moment as she moved away, and then he turned his head once more to make sure the rascals were gone. With them out of sight, and feeling too unfamiliar with Arbiter to remain if she did not require it of him, he dipped his head to her in a respectful farewell and then made away.