Neverwinter Forest I worked it in to look like that

He'd never seen anything like it before. Flocks of geese were common this time of year, as they made their way south- but these creatures were different and he felt they were completely out of place, even though they seemed quite happy to have found a nice lake in the middle of the forest. They weren't geese, though- nor were they herons, which was Jackalope's next guess due to their tall legs. Some sort of water bird that was on its way south, and had chosen to stop at the lake with the potential of spending the night there. It was evening, and the birds had settled down, drifting down from the sky making soft cooing sounds as they did so, to land in the shallows of the lake. 

The sounds they'd made while flying had sounded so soft, but now that they had landed and continued to communicate with one another, Jackalope noticed just how noisy they were. They were sandhill cranes, and they were at least as tall as he was long, with a long, sharp beak and a small reddish patch on the top of their heads. Their amber gaze scanned the area, but he remained very still. If they continued to be this loud past nightfall, he fancied running them off just so that the wolves could sleep in the forest in peace...But for now, he was content to sit still and watch them, waiting to make a decision on exactly what they were, and what use they could be.

The dark huntress had never seen such a creature before in her life either. She had seen goose, swans (who she also called goose) and duck floating on the water like that, but never before one of these, which stood with such tall legs in the shallows. 

Curiosity tugged her, she wanted to get in closer and in doing so came upon Jack. She slithered low at his side until her belly then came down to the earth next to him. What's wrong with those birds? She assumed them to be, as they had the wings, beaks and webbed feet, but none she had ever known. Then again, she was sure there was plenty of things she had not yet seen. Some of which she already been told of before but not seen, like sharks, whales and polar bear, for example.

The noise-making continued as more of the cranes bgan to land, and while it'd seemed quiet and flutelike while they were in the air, now that they were so close, their voices were raucous, high-pitched and insanely irritating. Jackalope didn't put up with anything irritating on the best of days, and regarded the birds with a dour expression. Would they shut up and sleep for the night, or would they sleep in shifts, leaving a chosen noisy few to remain on guard?

He wasn't the only one who was drawn to the commotion though, nor was he the only one who seemed to think that the birds were not only terribly out of place, but annoying. "A lot," Came his simple answer. Their beaks were long and pointed, and their legs looked long enough that they could potentially be swifter on foot than any other bird Jackalope had seen before. Still- he wanted to test the waters with them, even if it was just a learning experience. "Wanna play a game of dare?" He asked, turning to his companion with a glimmer of mischeif in his dull grey eyes. "C'mon. We each take two steps at a time. See who can get the closest to those stick-legged swamp-gulls without having their eyes jabbed out." He said, and he stood up. 

The cranes continued to talk amongst themselves, and a few glanced his way but for the most part, they seemed unphased by the predator who was now clearly visible. They had strength in numbers and they were facing a wolf who was weak with stupidity. He winked at Vallkyrie. "C'mon." He said, and took two steps from where he'd been first observing the birds. They didn't balk. "Your turn." It would take her one step to meet him, and then another to pass him- and put herself in the winning position.

It was really difficult for Nuala to stay in one place, so she often wandered around the territory in search of something to do. She was still oblivious to the world outside the forest, for now, and had kept her curious adventuring to within the territory at least. There was still so much for her to learn here, and so many other wolves to terrorize, so she had plenty to keep her occupied most of the time.

The strange sound drew her from the toad she had been chasing. She had paused only long enough to try and figure out where the noise was coming from before taking off, earning the toad another night to live free from the girl's torment. She slowed as she came to the lake, her attention solely on the strange creatures. She was too fixated on them to see the two adults who probably had a similar idea to her own. Without any of the fear she ought to have, she bounded forward towards the large birds. 

They squawked and flapped around, which had a grin spreading across the spotty pup's face. The grin was immediately wiped away as one of the birds took a swing at her with it's long, pointy beak. Her ambush didn't have quite the desired effect because once the creatures realized how much of an advantage they had over the young pup, it was clear they had no intention of going anywhere. 

Things went quickly downhill from there. Nuala was feisty and stubborn, so instead of backing off, she launched herself at the closest bird, tiny jaws snapping and coming away with feathers; this only enraged them. She felt a pain in her hip and yelped, letting go of one bird to back up and give what she though was a vicious snarl to the one who had attacked her.

Alot, he had said which caused a smirk to her features as she looked over the birds. Now she was long-legged herself but these birds were definitely disproportionate. Then Jack mentioned a game, to which Kyr would cock her head at. He was always interested in playing little betting games and Kyr had thus far found interest in these dares, being the prideful sort. She'd win. 

Your on. She whispered to the man, though as he drew forth it was obvious he had already caught the bird's attention. So much for catching them off guard if they were to have tried to hunt one. Snorting, as though the little game was an easy play, she took a step forward, then another, and as he foot settled to the earth, another wolf came flying past her and Jack's perch. 

All rusty brown and creams with spots throughout, the little girl (out of the many of Mal's broad) was quickly determined as Vallkyrie shot up. Nuala, nooooo! She called out, her icy eyes dashing to Jack in a quick 'ah shit!' before she took off towards the direction of the angry flock of birds poking their beaks into the youth for disturbing their time.

Splashing through the shallows, Vallkyrie was all barks, bared teeth and hackles raised as she sided along the child, snapping at anything that dare come near. They spaced out, yet as stubborn and bold as she was for as they gave the wolves a wide birth had yet to refuse to leave what they considered now their waters.

More interested in engaging Vallkyrie in a game of anything rather than trying to hunt the exotic but dangerous looking birds, Jackalope watched her and grinned as she stepped alongside him, and then took another step forward. It was an opportunity for him to spend time with, her, and be permitted to watch her every movement without seeming creepy for doing so. Part of his attention was kept on the birds, too- wary that they might simply spook and fly away until-

The pattering of quick, light footsteps carried one of his niecephews (he didn't know, it wasn't like he was interested in them) sped out of hiding and zoomed past the two adults, heading straight toward the long-legged swamp birds. "UGH!" Jackalope groaned out loud. Well this spoiled his whole sport- this kid totally just lost him his game! And furthermore, it seemed she'd found herself in trouble, and nowhere near menacing enough to frighten the birds off. He watched, and a brief cackle came unbidden from his lips as the child was poked by one of the cranes. Vallkyrie leapt into action, though Jackalop sniggered momentarily. "Serves her right," He murmured to himself, as he leapt from their perch, and jogged toward the flock of birds. 

"GAAAWAANNNN, FLOCK-OFF YA SEEDY BUNCH-A MOOSE-LEGGED FEATHERBRAINS, G'WAANNN!" He hollered lazily, his voice loud and grating. He was in no rush- and knew birds to be flighty creatures, pun aside. Presented with two wolves and finally a third hollering tame profanities at them, he assumed they'd dash off and take to the skies but...Instead, they simply side-stepped, away from Vallkyrie's snaps, and gave him space too- though they kept a wary eye on him. They did not seem inclined to give up their water space, however. "Summin's wrong with these birds," He concluded, as he padded into the shallows alongside the others.

First there was the serious-looking woman. She seemed to come out of nowhere (at least in Nuala's mind), and she whipped her gaze to the adult as she came to her aid. She wouldn't really admit she needed help, but she was happy to have another harasser on her side to even things out a bit. Her tail wagged, and she watched for a few moments, deciding when would be best to jump back in.

Then there was a man she had never met before—he was funny looking, she thought first. But she immediately watched him with interest as he started shouting funny words at the birds. Nuala laughed, her tail wagging harder as he came back to settled near them, mentioning something about the birds being wrong. She thought what he did looked pretty fun, so she trotted back out towards the closest group. FOCK OFF. FOCK OFF, she shouted at them. One swooped it's beak at her again, and she growled. SEEDY, MOOSE, FEDERRR BRANS! she shouted in response before snapping her tiny jaws at the large bird, which did nothing but make it angrier.

The slithering man of spikey hairs and gangly limbs would join them, snapping and mouthing off quite an equal mouthful of insult at the birds who, despite it all, kept only back from the wolves and glowered at them with black beady eyes. Nuala, who seemed to be taking great pleasure in all of them, tried mimicking Jack's wording which caused the huntress to laugh. He was a weird one, that was sure, if not for his quirky personality, always a flirt or always a game, then it was his spidery body and consistent 'creeper' stalking posture. Not to mention the nasally voice fitted by a long, bent snout. An odd bird, like those here now, but no less interesting. His fiery personality reminded her of muddy bog-rat friend she missed so. 

Coming up to her side (staying close to bite at any bird who retaliated the girl) Vallkyrie shook her head in seemingly protest. Sweetie, no, Kyr lifted a paw, made to touch at the shoulder of Nuala lightly as though to delicately scold her mouthing off, however, Its fuck off. And then a toothy grin, But dont tell your mother I said that! She laughs allowed and looks over the group of daring and prideful birds. Maybe we can eat one? She then thought allowed.

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As Vallkyrie moved to Nuala's side, Jackalope began to range back and forth between them and the birds, snarling and snapping at them to encourage them to leave the young wolf alone. They were proud things- and didn't seem to see him as much of a threat, but they surely considered the wolves a nuisance. Without being in any kind of a hurry, they  gave the trio of wolves a rather hairy side-eye and began to stalk off, revealing just how long and twig-like their legs were every time they took a step away. They continued to make their odd whirring, cooing sound as Jackalope turned his back on the flock just in time to hear Vallkyrie correcting Nuala's speech. He rolled his eyes and flicked his stump of a tail. She was amusing- but he was in no mood to babysit one of his nieces. 

"Don't tell your mother I said that either or she'll bite my ears off," He said, though he wasn't nearly as playful as Vallkyrie had been when he spoke. No- this was his neice, and he knew he would get in trouble if Nuala came home with an injury that he hadn't been able to protect her from. "I'm not hunting with the kid around- I don't babysit. I'm gonna take you straight back to your mother, an' you're gonna stay with her, and never go after these damn stork-birds again, you hear me?" He said with a light snarl to his voice.  “Now come on. Fun's over thanks a lot, kid,” He said, ruefully, and he gave her shoulder a nudge that was none-too-gentle in order to convince her that she was going home, straight home.

She recognized the woman from around, but she didn't know much about her. She instantly became a favorite, though, when it became clear she was teaching her things her mother wouldn't approve of. Fuck, fuck, fuck, she repeated happily, her tail waving as she looked up at the fun woman. 

The other guy, though, Nuala was less than impressed with. He started saying he wasn't going to hunt with her around, which was fine—she wasn't interested in hunting anyway, and the birds had finally been scared off. She might have actually let him take her home, too, had not told her that he was going to instead of asking if that was what she wanted. She stumbled over a little at his nudge, swinging back to give him the dirtiest look she could muster as she defiantly put on the breaks. She plopped her her butt down on the ground and huffed. No! she told him. Fuck off. She barely let her parents push her around; there was no way she was going to let this weird-looking guy tell her what to do.

Jack objected the hunt to Vallkyrie's dismay, who was curious of how it would be to grab one of those birds by their leg and shake the ever loving crap out of them. It would do well for food, too, as they were large enough to at least supply a good snack for them and the pup. 

However, Jack had other plans and that was to get the kid out of here, shoving her off gruffly but really not anything to hurt the child so Kyr didnt feel the need to reprimand. She did however interject as the girl told him to fuck off and sat against the ground stubbornly. She'd slid her thin frame in between the two of them before Jack could press on. Alright, that's enough you two. She grumbled her demand, tail raising. Obviously play time was over. 

He's your uncle, Nuala. He just dont want you getting hurt. Even if it did seem like it was for his own selfish reasons, just that he didnt want to get in trouble with his sister should something happen to the girl on his watch. Which she could understand and equally the fact that he wasnt any pupsitter and didnt want to be responsible for the girl. Though Kyr had been around plenty of children in her birth pack she too didnt have much experience with pups. Still, Jack here didnt have to act like an asshole which was likely the reasoning for Nuala's spat back at him. 

How would you like it if I guided you back instead? She spoke to the young splotchy  burnished girl hopefully.

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Well, there was definitely a lot of Blackthorn in the kid.

He didn't mind that- but it was also part of the reason he'd chosen to avoid the kids as much as possible. It was inevitable that even if they didn't inherit the Blackthorn dorsal stripe, they would likely inherit the attitude which always seemed to be plentiful amongst their relatives. And having plenty of relatives often meant the overcrowding of large personalities- which was what Jackalope had intended to avoid. Aibreann, at least, had been one of the better ones from his litter- but that didn't mean that her children would be just like her. No, this one- this one was just like how he'd been as a child, and it overwhelmed him.

He stared at her starkly when she told him to fuck off, and he snorted. Well then. He wouldn't accept accountability for that reaction, but he was sure he'd be blamed for it, so he sent a sizzling stare at Vallkyrie, wondering if she was happy with what she'd created. Not only was the child beligerent- which was simply a part of her nature it seemed- but she was also profane. Even better, considering the fact that Vallkyrie would likely walk away from this with zero percent of the blame. He rolled his eues, shrugged his shoulders, and began to stalk off.

“Fine. You take the kid back to her Mom. I don't care.” He said apathetically, with a flick of his stubby tail.

She scooted closer to the pretty woman as she spoke, staring daggers at her supposed uncle, whatever that was. It didn't matter, she very much doubted he gave a crap about what happened to her. She could tell by his demeanor towards her and the way he talked to her that he wasn't super interested in her. That was fine. She didn't care.

When Vallkyrie offered to walk her back, Nuala looked up at her. Okay. But can you show me somewhere new first? She wasn't ready to go home yet, and she wanted to learn more about the nice lady.

She completely ignored the weird, rude guy when he spoke, only giving him a brief glare before focusing her attention back on Vallkyrie.

Icy pale eyes watched Jack quietly as he took his leave after a hard gaze to both she and Nuala and one snappy comment. A pleased smile came over the Archer as she watched him leave and then turn her attention to the girl. Of course I can. I know just the place! She grins to her and starts off with the girl, leaving the swarm of birds to their water and all the noise they made over it.

The trek wouldnt be too long and as they strode she would listen and answer any and all questions Nuala had (to be asked in Nuala's next post?) for her. Soon, in a deeper part of the forest, they would come to a clearing, the sun shining dull through the towering trees all around. The clearing still shined with the darkness all around it, revealing tiny pick flowers in the thousands.

Nuala didn't really have a lot of questions—mostly, she just darted ahead, stopping frequently to inspect something interesting; when she inevitably grew bored, she would dart off again, always keeping an eye on the pretty woman to make sure she didn't lose her. 

When they arrived at the meadow, the little girl's mouth fell open in awe as she sucked in a quiet breath in surprise. It was the prettiest thing she had ever seen. With wide eyes, she glanced up to Vallkyrie for a few moments, then she looked back at all the flowers and said: PRETTY!

Not wasting anymore time, Nuala sprang forward and hopped around in the flowers. She stopped after every few jumps and plopped on the ground to roll around in the pretty petals, giggles filling the air periodically. This was way more fun than the stupid birds and the rude, weird guy.

The rusty patterned girl seemed quite pleased and Vallkyrie's tail waved with a happiness to this. It is, isnt it? The huntress said with a smile to the young girl as she pranced on after her. Nuala having darted ahead, rolling around in the pink flowers, Vallkyrie herself plopped onto the ground. Her back legs stuck out behind her and front paws outstretched, belly to the earth. I come here alot... She admits. After a hunt or border patrol, to try and clear my head. She then began to slink across the ground, nosing the length of her slender muzzle through the tufts of flowers.