Silver Creek Sprinlking Beginnings

*New character, not a new player*

Claire burst into the Teekon Wilds galloping with spirit. So young and unmarked by the world she had nothing to fear. Perhaps ignorance or hopefully thinking, an armor that protected her and filled her with confidence. Strolling in from the West she was eager to see where these two creeks of flowing silver meet. The fish were lively and their scaled backs shimmered in the sun. Although during her pursuit the sun had been obscured. Light clouds had begun to overtake the sky and the sun's rays fought to breakthrough. 

The sound of rushing water was the cause for her speed. She was excited and anticipated seeing a waterfall. Her intuition was correct as she came upon a series of falls that fell into one another right where the two creeks diverged. Each of the varied leveled pools played its own set of notes as the water fell into them. The leaves of the neighboring trees had fallen into the water and sailed down the creeks. 

Meeting her destination and unrushed by the lively view, Claire took a moment and paused. Slowly she walked to the creek's edge closest to the base of the falling tides. The impacting water on the pool created a mist that rose up and lingered. Kneeling down, lowered her face, and closed her eyes as the water lightly splashed upon it.

Though her claim in the forest to the east was new, she would see to it to patrol the areas around it. With spring came new life, and today, the new life was in the shape of a young woman. Vex pushed through the undergrowth, alerting the other to her presence as she said, "Good day to you. You are very close to my home." Her words were casual, but her fire-colored eyes bored into the stranger with a fierce intensity.

The droplets of water began to accumulate on her face and fall as little streams between her fur. Her ear twitched as she heard rustling in the nearby vegetation and lifted her head. A female appeared, similar in build and base coloration. However, her pelt had much darker accents and she possessed gorgeous vibrant eyes that appeared to be just out of reach of red.

The stranger said her greeting but when it came to home all wolves, even Claire, knew and respected one's protective nature. "Good day to you as well. I do not mean to be intrusive. In truth, I am new to everything nearby. I just traveled in from West." she stated politely with a friendly smile and tone. If the stranger's home was nearby Claire's adventurous spirit and masking smell of rushing water disguised any telling signs. "Are you settled among these creeks?" she asked curious.

So they were both new to the land. The other female's words pacified Vex somewhat, and at the stranger's questioned, she answered brusquely, "I rule The Dominion, in the forest just to the east of here. We plan to use the creek and it's forest for our hunting grounds, along with the weir, to the northeast of here." She paused, eyeing the stranger. Her chin lifted, and her nostrils flared as she drunk in the other's scent. "What is your name?" She would offer her own after - she was a Queen, after all.

A ruler. The female didn't appear to be too much older than Claire herself. Claire was impressed. All the things one needed to do to rule a pack at a young age. Perhaps these lands had an inherent luck within them allowing any to meet and exceed their ambitions. "That is quite the impressive achievement. From your description, you sound ideally placed. Or is it that all the land in this region is equally vibrant?" As she was speaking a droplet made its way onto her nose and settled in to one of her nostrils. Discomforted Claire quickly huffed to blow the water out her nose. She then ruffled her head a tad to free the other bits of water from her face. "My apologies" she stated as she finished. "My name is Claire"

Vex had seen much of the hinterlands as she'd journeyed south - she knew how well-protected it was; mountains to the east barred passage, and much of the terrain was rugged. Here, she was safe to stake her claim, hidden in the thick woodland. She told the woman, "The hinterlands are a paradise for some, but they can be difficult to traverse. It has few entry points." This was one of them. The other then huffed and shook, spraying water droplets. Vex, thankfully, was at enough distance that she didn't get wet. She smiled slightly, then said, "Well, Claire, welcome to the hinterlands. What do you seek from her bounties?" Vex pondered recruiting, but of course, she would need to know more. For now, it was an idle thought.

A smile appeared upon the female's face. A far different tone and feeling than the initial gaze from orange fire. A paradise with difficult terrain. Claire supposed nowhere is without faults, but her thoughts were still positive. The fact that this female stated there were few entry points made Claire feel lucky to have stumbled upon one. Hidden and tucked away it seemed. She thought about staying for some time to see what it had to offer. As though nature were intentionally hiding a bit of treasure. "It may sound a bit odd but I'm not sure at the moment. I'm starting fresh. Looking for... something I suppose, but... not knowing what it is." she said with a small laugh knowing it may sound silly. "And what of you? What within the Hinterlands compelled you to take root, Miss...?" she paused leaving room for the female to fill in with her name.

Vex had never liked questions - she was a Queen, she wasn't meant to be answering questions. But, answer she did, with a swift lick of her black lips. "I am Vex Cruor, ruler of the Cruor dynasty and Queen of The Dominion." How she loved her titles. Orange eyes fell to Claire. She smiled, but it was a cold smile now. "The Dominion seeks retribution against those that have wronged us. We will be something of greatness."

A member of the Cruor Dynasty. Claire had never heard any with this name, but she could tell that Vex held to it strongly. A sense of pride resulting simply from ancestors before. Not something you really had to earn Claire though. Perhaps it could result in cockyness or snobbery, or perhaps an underlying level of stress and expectation to live up to your given name. Claire hope Vex was closer to the latter. "A pleasure to meet you your highness" Claire stated lifting her front paw and nodding her head a tad, seemingly the wolf equivalent of a tip of the hat. "I imagine anyone that wronged you and your fellow wolf can expect great turmoil in the coming days." she was playing into her exaggeration a bit, but it was all in good faith, an attempt

Vex was merely toying with the other woman - she had no real plans here, aside from spreading the word of her claim. This one would be lucky to have met her, and then move on, as very few who had met Vex in the past still lived to tell of it. The Queen still smiled, a bit toothily this time. She enjoyed this game, but it was time to move on. "Indeed. The Dominion will rise to glory. And if you ever find yourself in need of protection, you know where to find us." They were not all about war, though it was, admittedly, their first goal. If Claire wanted to, she could find some sort of life within the Dominion - likely not a very fulfilling one. She doubted Claire was even interested - Vex certainly wasn't. She turned, telling Claire, "I take my leave. Do not linger here too long, and do not attempt to hunt. We will be watching. We claim the creek and it's surrounding lands, as well as the weir to the northeast for our hunting grounds."

She spoke again of her pack's glory but surprisingly dropped in a courteous word. One that allowed Clarie to see Vex and her pack out in the future should she find herself in need of protection. It seemed that vengeance and returned justice was not the only thing Vex and her wolves cared about. Although Vex had a somewhat are exterior, Claire could tell this was a kind gesture coming from her. Claire was luckily not in need of protection at this time and she also didn't feel it right to potentially join forces in a battle she had no stake in.

That was all the queen had to say. After patrolling her nearby lands, coming across a stranger, and assessing that Claire was of no harm she was ready to go back to her day. Although not a believer in Vex's reign and regal status, Clarie could tell she must be a busy individual, and to meet her in the midst of all she was doing was a sort of honor. "Good day your Highness. I shan't forget your words and warnings" she said politely allowing the queen to depart and Claire too soon after.